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EXHIBITION STATEMENT
Exhibition Statement: Text
Introduction
What do you think of when you hear the word “dance”? A ballerina in a pink tutu or a Broadway star in tap shoes? Dance spans many years and countries, which has created different genres of the art form. As a lifelong dancer, I was never exposed to these specialized dance forms. When watching the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, I was taken with one of these dance forms: butoh. There seemed to be a creative freedom in butoh unlike any other art form I have seen due to its inherent lack of structure. Butoh was the perfect topic for my Capstone project, which aims to answer the question, “How can individuals construct a story/series of emotions through butoh dance?”. By teaching this little-known art form, I hope to inspire others to create art that creatively fulfills them, whatever that may be.
Literature Review.
Most art forms are based in ancient traditions, while butoh was started in the aftermath of World War II by Hijikata Tatsumi and Kazuo Ohno (Laage). Most dance forms focus on conventionally beautiful, well-flowing movements, while Tatsumi said that butoh is based on being comfortable in what makes the performer uncomfortable (Doushin). Tatsumi and Ohno sought to have the audience explore how the performance makes them feel in the moment and why they feel that way (Laage). In the YouTube video, “What Is Butoh? | Gadu Doushin”, this idea was expressed along with more newly developed concepts of butoh (Doushin). One of these newer, yet still widely accepted, ideas is that of moving however feels natural and in a way that will best forward the story. These ideas may seem contradictory since butoh is often characterized by its slow, deliberate, calculated movements (Laage). Yet, that’s the whole point of butoh. Butoh was developed to be distinctly different to each person. In many of the sources read, the authors discussed the importance of finding “your'' butoh. Butoh is meant to be personal, taking on many different forms. While defining characteristics of butoh exist, it is unique to everyone who practices it (Doushin). All of this research will be used to influence how the workshop is taught. These ideas of un-comfortability and uniqueness will be heavily emphasized in the workshop.
Photo courtesy of https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2016/05/28/books/book-reviews/butoh-dance-death-disease/
Exhibition Statement: Image
Methods.
Most of the methods for research that are being used are interviews, taped performances, books, and articles. These performances will give a frame of reference for the various ways people practice and perform butoh. Interviews will teach me the logic and methodology behind how dance is taught and how I can lead the best workshop possible. I conducted 4 interviews with past dance teachers of mine and UMD faculty in the TDPS department. Books and articles will be references for finding butoh exercises, teaching methods, and historical and cultural context. In addition to reading about dance teaching methods, I’m discussing butoh with my dance teachers. Based on my own research, I am implementing techniques like demonstration and prompted improvisation onto given choreography and encouraging students to discover on their own.
Exhibition Statement: Image
Audience & Impact
My Capstone project is for dancers exploring a new style and anyone else willing to learn butoh! However, my audience may be more interested in storytelling and performing. After this project, I hope to have shown people a new method of storytelling with principles they can apply to their everyday lives. I want them to challenge their preconceived notions of how stories can be created. I also want them to find a sense of contentment with being present in the moment, rather than only creating with a goal in mind. Judging from my exit form, these goals were almost fully achieved. In achieving these goals, I was able to hone my teaching skills for dance and share my love of butoh with others.
References
Doushin, Gadu. “What Is Butoh? | Gadu Doushin.” YouTube, YouTube, 3 Dec. 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlZ2Iwr1Tb8.
Kasai, Toshiharu. "A Butoh Dance Method for psychosomatic exploration." Memoirs-Hokkaido Institute of Technology 27.1999 (1999): 309-316.
Laage, Joan. “A History of Butoh.” Meany Center, 4 Oct. 2019, https://meanycenter.org/stories/2019-10/history-butoh.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to all who assisted and guided me throughout this process including all who participated in my workshops, Shuran Huang for photography needs, Ashlee McKinnon, Sarah Frances Hope Williams, and Crystal Davis for consulting and advice, my faculty advisor, Heather-Erin Bremensthul, and my parents for lending a helping hand.
Exhibition Statement: Image
Exhibition Statement: Welcome
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