Dancing in and out of Chairs: A Dramatic Interview

• In Event: 61.058 - Toward an Understanding of Performative Research as Embodied Inquiry

Abstract

For over two decades one of the panelists has integrated movement, dance, voice and poetry within performative ways of inquiry, which open and stretch how arts-based research methods can be integrated within conference presentations as well as pedagogy. These forms are both problematic and transformational in their ephemeral quality. Once a performance is enacted, it is difficult to reproduce or share to a wider audience than was present. The commitment to the present moment within a performance and the attention commanded allows for a wholehearted and embodied commitment by the performer and response by the audience. What has troubled this scholar/dancer/poet for years is the lack of opportunity to share this work in a broader context.

The opportunity to have performative work videoed opens up possibilities not only for archival purposes and communicating with a wide audience of other scholars and educators, but opens up another lens for inquiry to the performer. My artistic process and product are informed by improvisation and each rehearsal and performance brings a totally different aspect, which facilitates another way to archive the knowledge within the creative process. Layers of learning are formed by the opportunity for video, and my research has been shifted by the opportunities to integrate video into the inquiry process. In particular, the dance piece I engaged in explored a recurrent theme in my work, which is working with limitations. Having a broken toe/foot gave me another venue to integrate dancing on a chair, and exploring the notions of limitations, grace and possibility in collaboration with two videographers and a co-researcher.

This panel will explore the way video can inform performative inquiry into a space of deeper understanding and inspiration for the creative process and releasing a fresh insight into arts-based ways of inquiry.

Authors

• Celeste Snowber, Simon Fraser University

• Susan Gerofsky, The University of British Columbia