Elements of Dance
Body Shape Non-locomotor (a held position) Symmetrical/asymmetrical Twisted/angular/linear/curved Isolations Simple (one body part moving differently) Complex (multiple parts moving differently) Weight Transfer Hop / jump / leap / lunge / roll Body Awareness Uses body parts effectively Works safesly in space, with other dancers
Space Direction Horizontal (across) / vertical (front to back) Diagonal / circular Travel can be large / small Pathway Curved / straight Jagged spiral Levels Low (roll, crawl…) / medium (bent knees…) / high (reach, jump, climb) Size Space (Performer Space) Dancer uses whole stage / small space / site specific Positive / Negative Space Dancer’s body is positive / space around dancer is negative Proximity To other dancers / to props Formations Circles / linex / star
Time Tempo (speed) Timing Unison (one choreography for all) Sequential (groups start in sequence) Random time Rhythm (beat, counting) Pause / freeze Duration of a piece Acceleration / Deceleration
Relationship Interaction: others, props, costumes, stage Opposition Percussive vs. sustained movements High space vs. low space Mirror opposite movements Groupings Unison / large and a small groups / switching groups Meet and Part Come together and move apart Follow / lead One or more dancers lead and/or follow Leader and follower can switch
Energy Force of movement Heavy / light Punch / slash / press / wring / dab / flick / glide / float Timing of movement Fast (punch, slash, flick) / slow (press, wring, dab, float, glide) Direction of movement Direct (punch, press, dab, glide) / indirect (slash, wring, flick, float)
Elements and Expectations…. Create Dance Analyse Dance Reflect on Dance History of Dance Use of tech. A1.1 A1.2 A1.3 A3.1 A3.2 A2.2 A2.1 A2.3 A1.4
Web Sites - resources www.artsalive.ca National Arts Centre site (good for all arts) Contemporary Dance on Youtube Pilobolus on Conan O’Brien (shape) Turn to Stone, by Travis Wall (shape) MOMIX Best of 2011 (all elements) Hip Hop on Youtube Alex and Twitch hip hop SYTYCD Bleeding Love and No Airu by Tabitha and Napoleon
World Dance Resources Youtube resources “Amazing African dance Group Choreography with Djembe drumming” “Aboriginal Grass Dance Canada National Aboriginal Day Celebrations 2010 “Al-Arz Lebanese Dance Group, Festival of Cultures 2005 “Afghan Dance – Mariam” “Slumdog Millionaire – Official Jai Ho music video