Creating Dances - 3 Motif & Development

Objectives Recognise motifs Know how to create & develop motifs

What is a Motif A movement or phrase of movements that embodies the style & content of the dance It can be manipulated & developed in many different ways Generally consists of actions & has dynamic quality & spatial design It can be as simple as a spiral performed as a turn with arm gestures, then as a travelling pathway and finally as a group shape

Why are motifs important Motifs are essential ingredients which can be Varied Repeated Developed And help structure and organise the dance

Why are motifs important A 2 or 3 minute dance will contain a number of motifs (try to aim for at least 3) Motifs are helpful to the audience as they communicate the style & meaning of the dance & help the audience to process what they see You will be assessed on how effectively you develop & link motifs in your solo composition and on how successfully you select & structure material to communicate you idea in your main choreography

Recognising Motifs The central solo for Bird Song has a key motif that is repeated & developed It consists of the torso arching & the arms lifting above the head as if the lungs are expanding In this motif, movement & sound (the call of the Pied Butcher Bird) become one Look at the set dance that you learned with Jo. Identify the key movements & phrases that are repeated & developed

How to develop a motif (group) These can be developed in exactly the same way as a solo You have more opportunities to vary the body, actions, dynamics & space between dancers You can develop relationships in time and space You can use numbers differently

Ways in which a motif can be developed

Ways in which a motif can be developed Motif

Use different body parts Motif

Ways in which a motif can be developed Use different body parts Motif Head Feet Arms hands surfaces legs joints

Ways in which a motif can be developed Add Actions Motif

Ways in which a motif can be developed Add Actions Motif stillness jump roll travel turn balance gesture fall

Ways in which a motif can be developed Change or vary space Motif

Ways in which a motif can be developed Change or vary space Motif size shape level direction Design eg curved angular, symmetric assymetric

Ways in which a motif can be developed Motif Change or vary dynamics

Ways in which a motif can be developed Motif Change or vary dynamics Speed weight energy Flow Accent or stress

Ways in which a motif can be developed Motif Change order Of actions

Ways in which a motif can be developed Motif Change order Of actions Add or take away actions

Ways in which a motif can be developed Change or vary space Add Actions Use different body parts Motif Change or vary dynamics Change order Of actions Head Feet Arms hands surfaces legs joints stillness jump roll travel turn balance gesture fall size shape level direction Design eg curved angular, symmetric assymetric Add or take away actions Speed weight energy Flow Accent or stress