Transmodernism: Integrating the Art and Science of Movement

This Thursday and Friday (Mar 14 & 15, 2014) I will speak at the research symposium Transmodernism: Integrating the Art and Science of Movement at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I feel excited and privileged to be part of this community of movement artists and specialists that I deeply respect, exploring the potential of movement in the 21st century. When most people think of dancers, they envision fit, active, lithe creatures. They don't often think of dancers as nerds. But, if you define nerds as people inordinately passionate and mentally fixated on their particular interests, then dancers can be just as nerdy as anyone. And, I say this lovingly, this symposium promises to prove it.

My presentation, Transmodernism in Dance, will explore my research of Dance Paradigms using the Gravesian Framework which I have outlined in this blog. I continue to find new depths and wrinkles in this area of research. Currently, I have been exploring its application in a variety of ways:
  1. As a conceptual framework for mapping (and teaching) the history of concert dance;
  2. As a tool for dance composition teaching (and practice) that elucidates the relevant principles found in artistic eras/paradigms;
  3. As a system of pedagogical methodologies for reaching each student with motivations and appeals appropriate to their individual value systems; and
  4. As an administrative guide for organizational leadership.
In addition to these applications, my most recent interest lies in the integration of this framework with a larger, integral framework that includes, not just stages of development, but also multiple dimensions, intelligences, states, and types. But those are topics for another day. If you happen to be in Milwaukee this week, please join the dialogue.

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