By Richard Haisma et al.
Submitted by DNB Staff – March 1, 2014
[The following discussion was
originally posted on LabanTalk and CMAlist in February 2014.
From Richard Haisma - February 14,
2014
Hello Labanistas and
Bartenieophiles,
In teaching my class, "Dance
For The Ageless," (for 40 or 50 years old & up), I find that I
must be able to refer to what I now wish to call Spatial Territories.
Laban had simply called them
different kinds of space: General Space, Kinespheric Space and Inner
Space.
I do not want to use the word
"kinds" as it feels too generic. I am choosing with my students
therefore to refer to Spatial Territories, as in, "Today's class
will occur entirely in the territory of Kinespheric Space,"
or "The Territory for today's class will be that of Inner
Space."
As for Laban's use of the word
"General," well, that is much too general for my pedagogical
requirements, so I am calling that Territory the Ambient Space.
After conferring with Charlotte
Wile I have created Motif Symbols for these three Territories. My original concoction
utilized a blank rectangle, and Charlotte politely informed me that that
was the conventional indication for Direction. She also said that she would
prefer not to use the capital 'K' as I had inside the rectangle to indicate
"Kinesphere" because the 'K' was so strongly associated with
"Folding to the Side." She clued me into a symbol that Knust had utilized for the Kinesphere. I have attached my latest Motif Notation
concoction.
Four immediate questions arise
when one gets more focused and specific about each of these three
Territories.
1] Can one have Space Effort in Inner Space? (I think not, but...)
2] If one says yes to the above, what would NOT having Space Effort in Inner Space look like and how would that determination be made?
3] What is the difference between the Basic Body Action of “Addressing” and Space Effort?
4] How does the expression of Ambient Space come about, or, of what is the expression of Ambient Space composed? (This question may have been addressed, if not answered, in previous posts concerning "projection" or maybe even, "of what is charisma composed?".)
I will be interested in any and all feedback on this category of Space and Motif Notation.
1] Can one have Space Effort in Inner Space? (I think not, but...)
2] If one says yes to the above, what would NOT having Space Effort in Inner Space look like and how would that determination be made?
3] What is the difference between the Basic Body Action of “Addressing” and Space Effort?
4] How does the expression of Ambient Space come about, or, of what is the expression of Ambient Space composed? (This question may have been addressed, if not answered, in previous posts concerning "projection" or maybe even, "of what is charisma composed?".)
I will be interested in any and all feedback on this category of Space and Motif Notation.
Happy Valentines Day!
Richard
From Leslie Bishko - February 14, 2014
Hello Richard,
Hello Richard,
I get where you are going
with this. I'm fascinated by your description of inner space, which for
me evokes the way a mover can have the mental image of connecting a bony
landmark or organ to something external, in the ambient space. The
witness/audience/public can also perceive these relationships. This has
interesting implications for relating the body architecture to spatial
scaffolding.
Leslie
From Gretchen Dunn - February 14, 2014
I like very much your use of the word
‘territories’—territories are known and have boundaries. There are also
‘unknown territories’ that could be explored—part of a territorial boundary
that is incomplete.
Sounds exciting!
Sounds exciting!
Gretchen
From Fanchon Shur - February 14, 2014
[Richard's comments are in black. Frachon's comments are in red.]
On Feb 14, 2014, at 12:42 PM, Richard Haisma wrote:
Hello Labanistas and Bartenieophiles,
In teaching my class, "Dance For The Ageless," (for 40 or 50 years old & up),
Being almost 79, I love your title.
[Richard's comments are in black. Frachon's comments are in red.]
On Feb 14, 2014, at 12:42 PM, Richard Haisma wrote:
Hello Labanistas and Bartenieophiles,
In teaching my class, "Dance For The Ageless," (for 40 or 50 years old & up),
Being almost 79, I love your title.
I find that I must be able to refer to what I now wish to call Spatial Territories.
territories is concise, real, clear.
Laban had simply called them different kinds of space: General Space, Kinespheric Space and Inner Space.
I do not want to use the word "kinds" as it feels
too generic. I am choosing with my students therefore to refer to Spatial
Territories,
as in,
"Today's class will occur entirely in the
territory of Kinespheric Space," or "The
Territory for today's class will be that of Inner Space."
As for Laban's use of the word "General," well, that is much too general for my pedagogical requirements, so I am
calling that Territory
the Ambient Space. Such a clear expression. Ambience is
clear...charisma, projection, and as Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen often
says "can you sense the change in the room?"
After conferring with Charlotte Wile I have created Motif Symbols for these three Territories. My original concoction utilized a blank rectangle, and Charlotte politely informed me that that was the conventional indication for Direction. She also said that she would prefer not to use the capital 'K' as I had inside the rectangle to indicate "Kinesphere" because the 'K' was so strongly associated with "Folding to the Side."
After conferring with Charlotte Wile I have created Motif Symbols for these three Territories. My original concoction utilized a blank rectangle, and Charlotte politely informed me that that was the conventional indication for Direction. She also said that she would prefer not to use the capital 'K' as I had inside the rectangle to indicate "Kinesphere" because the 'K' was so strongly associated with "Folding to the Side."
can any one explain this? I know the big X as a description of
a Fundamentals form.....what is the K about.
She clued me into a symbol that Knoos had utilized for the
Kinesphere. I have attached my latest Motif Notation concoction.
Four immediate questions arise when one gets more focused and
specific about each of these three Territories.
1] Can
one have Space Effort in Inner Space? (I think not, but…)
What is different about space effort from the other efforts in Inner Space?
What is different about space effort from the other efforts in Inner Space?
2]
If one says yes to the above, what would NOT having Space Effort in
Inner Space look like and how would that determination be made?
I would say that NOT having space effort would accent what you
do have. Similarly, if you have no strength effort you would perceive
that as a different quality than not having Space effort.
3]
What is the difference between the Basic Body Action of “Addressing”
and Space Effort?
Can you help me with what Basic Body Action means (does that mean something that is not Shaping or Space and what does "addressing" mean.
4]
How does the expression of Ambient Space come about, or, of what is the
expression of Ambient Space composed? (This question may have been addressed,
if not answered, in previous posts concerning "projection" or maybe
even, "of what is charisma composed?".)
i would love to revisit those responses. They intrigue me greatly. I studied 4 years with Barbara Brennan, who "saw" energy fields, different colors, shapes, sizes, etc. all of those AURAS ARE also for me Ambience, Charisma,
I will be interested in any and all feedback on this category
of Space and Motif Notation.
Happy Valentines Day!
Richard
From Peggy Hackney - February 14, 2014
Dear Richard and Leslie,
My understanding of the
first symbol you have listed (which you call Inner Space) is "Small
Kinesphere" (in the personal kinesphere territory).
Your second symbol, which
you call Kinespheric Space, I teach as "Large 3-D Kinesphere."
Your third symbol, which
you call Ambient Space, I teach as "Very Large Kinesphere."
I like the word
"Territories" and I agree with Gretchen about the "unknown territories."
What we "know" can only be known in relationship to acknowledging the
"unknown." More aspects are always revealing themselves. :)
My prime example of
"Inner Direct Space Effort" for myself is when I am consciously
tracing the connections to boney landmarks in my mind's image as I move. I feel
this is one powerful way that Somatics invites giving Attention to our inner
landscape.
Cheers,
Peggy
From Gretchen Dunn - February 14, 2014
Peggy’s post reminds me of the term from Nancy Stark Smith, often used in the warm-up for the underscore: ‘skinisphere’: everything contained in our sack of skin. It calls to something more substantial than ‘inner space’ to my mind tho’.
Gretchen
From Peggy Hackney - February 14, 2014
Dear Gretchen,
Hmmmm, "skinisphere" to me is more about touch and contact at that boundary. It is less about what is inside the skin….What do others of you think?
cheers,
Peggy
From Sandi Kurtz - February 14, 2014
Oh, I like that one!
sandi kurtz
From Gretchen Dunn - February 14, 2014
It (skinisphere) is always quite specifically described as what’s inside the skin, not as a border, though I can see that easily too.
Gretchen
From Tara stepenberg - February 14, 2014
Hi Richard et al
I always love your ideas and this area is
one of my favorites -
these are some first thoughts (i may not
have second thoughts right now as I prepare for a trip to asia)
I remember in my "program"
there was a discussion about space effort for "inner space" (and the
concept of "inner space" is interesting for those of us who traverse
the landscapes of inner space by moving through what might be thought of
as "outer-space") - I will not claim to remember Irmgard's comments
(peggy may actually have the correct notes) about dancers in trance who clearly
are involved in inner space, being very clear about their space effort in those
realms -- but I would like to recall that this is indeed possible. Although I
cannot think of a concrete example, in my experience as mover and observer,
Space Effort is about attending - whether in
"inner" or "outer" landscapes.
Don't have comments about your actual
symbols
I like the concept of territories
"skinisphere" – ? interesting new
idea for me – a permiable edge between what's "inside" and
"outside" of me?
I wish i could send you all a movement
phrase right now - some kind of enveloping hello
smiles
tara
From Fanchon Shur - February 14, 2014
I love skinesphere for the boundary between the inner and the outer territory
Fanchon Shur
From Fanchon Shur - February 14, 2014
Peggy I agree it's exactly that it is the boundary
Fanchon Shur
Peggy I agree it's exactly that it is the boundary
Fanchon Shur
From Jeffrey-Scott Longstaff - February 15, 2014
To address Jeffrey's point, would the term "realm" versus "territory" perhaps still capture the intent or does that introduce other issues?
Re: Territory
Keep in mind that "Territory" has a specific defined spatial meaning:
-- term territory refers to any sociographical area that an animal of a particular species consistently defends -- < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Territory_(animal) >
-- When I see the word "territory" I immediately think of this definition - of a space which I will defend and fight for since I feel it belongs to me. -- term territory refers to any sociographical area that an animal of a particular species consistently defends -- < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Territory_(animal) >
This use of "territory" is obviously applicable to space harmony studies concerning "personal space" and "interpersonal distance", and is used in Halls studies of "proxemics" which includes consideration of "Territory" < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proxemics >
Is your use of Territory the same as this already defined standard use? -- an area of space which I will defend against any perceived intruders? If so, it is great. If Not, it is something to consider.
Jeffrey
Jeffrey
From Beverly Dunn - February 15, 2014
To address Jeffrey's point, would the term "realm" versus "territory" perhaps still capture the intent or does that introduce other issues?
From Karen Studd - February 15, 2014
For me at least, any term that includes "sphere" indicates spatial volume. A "boundary" has a very different spatial association. Boundary can have a linear spatial representation. Boundary I associate with the container rather than the content contained within/without.
Karen
From Richard Haisma - February 15, 2014
Hello, Peggy and Labanistas,
Hello, Peggy and Labanistas,
Yes, I did have misgivings that the new symbols I was proposing might be just what, or something similar to, some previous understanding or use of them had been. That "X" I put inside that little "bowl" to indicate Inner Space does, after all, have a certain history, and if the little "bowl" is to stand for "kinesphere" then that "X" may not really be inclined to suggest "inner" but rather, as you use it, just "small kinesphere." And similarly with my other two symbols. Yes, I get this. However, it seems that you telling us also here that you do indeed have and use a symbol for just the "kinesphere" by itself. Is that right? That is, are you using that little bowl, or half oval, that I just used, as a symbol for "kinesphere.? If so, can we then not just qualify that little bowl somehow and conjure up Inner Space or Ambient Space? It that is the case, here's another proposal.
Best,
Richard
From Richard Haisma - February 15, 2014
Dear Peggy and Gretchen,
While I find "skinisphere" amusing, and perhaps a useful image in a context of awakening the senses, I agree with Peggy. It sends my mind not at all to Space but to tactility.
Richard
From Peggy Hackney - February 15, 2014
Hi, Richard,
This second proposal seems on the right track to me…And I'm wondering if having just one little tick on the inside and outside would work for you?
From Tara Stepenberg - February 15, 2014
The new symbols make send to me. And as I read more carefully I understand that my previous comments were coming from a slightly different lens. Peggy's example of inner space makes sense to me and I am sure there are other examples of attention in inner space.
Blessings, tara
The new symbols make send to me. And as I read more carefully I understand that my previous comments were coming from a slightly different lens. Peggy's example of inner space makes sense to me and I am sure there are other examples of attention in inner space.
Blessings, tara
From Sandi Kurtz - February 15, 2014
What she [Karen Studd] said.
sandi kurtz
On 2/15/14 Karen Studd wrote:
Hello Jeffrey and Everyone,
What she [Karen Studd] said.
sandi kurtz
On 2/15/14 Karen Studd wrote:
For me at least, any term that includes "sphere" indicates spatial volume. A "boundary" has a very different spatial association. Boundary can have a linear spatial representation. Boundary I associate with the container rather than the content contained within/without.
From Richard Haisma - February 15, 2014
I'm first of all not attached to that exact word of "territory" as such, but I do wish to avoid the blandness of such possible expressions as "type of space," or "kind of space."
I do not personally feel the attachment of animal aggression to the word "territory" that you indicate might presently be out there in the verbal environment. Yet even that aura around the word would not be inappropriate for our purposes, that is, not the aggressive defense of these three different kinds of space, but the word's seemingly clear demarcation of locations of space with different atmospheres or psychologies about them.
I'm thinking of usage similar to when we ask, "What crystalline form do you see happening in that dance?" Or, "What crystalline form are you primarily expressing with your movement?"
Beverly Dunn mentioned the word "realm" and my only problem with that is that it sounds a little too grand, while also as a word being too soft off the tongue. I like the repeated percussive "t" in "territory," since it seems to call a little more attention to itself.
The overall motivation here is simply to allow students to know more clearly where they need to focus at any given moment. Students have told me that it was helpful to hear, for example, in a class dealing with Shape-flow, "We are now only in Inner Space, you have no interest in the Outer world around you, and this is your natural and healthy narcissism at work." Also, I have seen performances by supposedly advanced dancers who apparently did not know that sometimes one can be entirely inside oneself and sometimes entirely outside oneself, and that an important source of dynamics and charisma for a performer is knowing how to manipulate and modulate that Inner-Outer equation moment by moment. I want a Title and Category for just this range of experience, and because I sometimes use Motif Notation for my lessen plans I need symbols to notate those classes. Whether or not the word "territory" is the best one is less important to me than the clarity of "where are we moving from now?" Finally, as Leslie Bishko sensed behind my motivations, Spatial Intent as a connector between Inner and Outer might become enhanced if the habits of knowing what's exactly the Inner participant-part and where's the Outer goal-part can be daily made more clear.
Best,
Richard
From Richard Haisma - February 15, 2014
Hi Peggy,
Hi Peggy,
Yes, you're right: why two ticks; more economical and elegant with just one. Here's then my latest version. I wonder if we've nailed something here. I'm still somehow waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Richard
[The following was attached to Ricard's posting. For a larger view of the attachment go here.]
From Gretchen Dunn - February 15, 2014
Dear Richard and Peggy,
Yes—the tactility of all the organs and bones and lymph and blood is in ‘skinisphere’. And ‘inner space’ maybe more micro with lots of space between the elemental bodies. Two words, from different disciplines, evoking different view, attitudes to the same real estate.
Gretchen
Dear Richard and Peggy,
Yes—the tactility of all the organs and bones and lymph and blood is in ‘skinisphere’. And ‘inner space’ maybe more micro with lots of space between the elemental bodies. Two words, from different disciplines, evoking different view, attitudes to the same real estate.
Gretchen
From Megan Reisel - February 15, 2014
Here's another thought for Richard
Having been a martial artist for over 26 years, the experience of the spatial distance around my body was always strongly intertwined with Time. It was the time/ space evaluation that one needs to perceive in order to understand 'defending' itself.
Here's another thought for Richard
Having been a martial artist for over 26 years, the experience of the spatial distance around my body was always strongly intertwined with Time. It was the time/ space evaluation that one needs to perceive in order to understand 'defending' itself.
Megan
From Fanchon Shur - February 15, 2014
This is getting exciting...and elegant.
Fanchon Shur
From Regina Miranda- February 16, 2014
Dear all,
Dear all,
Agreeing and enjoying following this beautiful conversation. Thanks to all involved, moreover to Richard who inspired it.
Regina
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