1. Art and the Community: Breaking the Aesthetic of Disempowerment
Text Written by Christine Lomas
Faculty of Arts, University College
Bretton Hall, University of Leeds
Presented by Brandice DM Valentino1

2. Edited by: Dr. Kay Picart and Donna Gallagher
Based on a presentation by: Brandice DM Valentino

3. Discussion Question: According to Lomas, “Our culture’s existing theatrical aesthetic emphasizes FORM and CONTENT as the key to unlocking meaning; what it IGNORES is the social context from which FORM and CONTENT derive their meaning.”

4. Do you agree or disagree?

5. The Heuristic Model Illustrates Non-Theatrical Performance Contexts: Illustrates the ways in which an individual interacts with dance making and dance viewing in the non-theatrical performance context, Community Dance.

6. Express Yourself— Don’t Repress Yourself
Nature (authentic)
CELEBRATION:
                      
Human Nature

7. HUMAN CULTURE (adaptive)
CEREMONIAL:
RITUAL:

8. Celebratory Activity:
                      

9. Ceremonial & Ritual Activities:

10. Values!?!?!?
We are all pieces of data that collectively construct our communities.
We have to examine and contemplate that which has shaped us.

11. Political-Economic Emphasis of First-World Monetarist Materialism on Power
Who is this ‘I’?…

12. LABELS:
What do they mean?
Who do they serve?
Where do they come from?

13. Review Question:
Without individual significance how is culture experienced as explained by Lomas?

14. Dance as mediator in relation to nature and culture
                          
                          

15. Discussion Question: Should we teach dance as therapeutic activity?

16. REVIEW QUESTION: According to Lomas, “What is meant by “threshold people” in relation to community dance?

17. Discussion Question:
What role should the teacher have in community dance?

18. Discussion Question:
Although teaching technique offers a challenge, is it truly a dance challenge?

19. Discussion Question:
What changes might occur if the aesthetic code valued improvisation as much as planned, intentional product?