Anna Petronella Foultier: "Expression in Theatre Dance"

Anna Petronella Foultier, Uppsala University: "Expression in Theatre Dance"

Abstract
A common assumption in historical, pedagogical and philosophical writings on dance is that the art of dance is if not essentially at least crucially concerned with the expression and arousal of emotion. Nevertheless, there are few philosophical studies of this issue in relation to dance. In this talk, I will give a review of the extant positions and distinguish at least three levels of expression or expressiveness: 1) the “naturally” expressing/expressive body; 2) expression/expressiveness as part of the dancer’s artistic skills; 3) expression/expressiveness as a potential of the choreographic work, the choreographer’s style, the genre, etc. Next, I will discuss the manner that expression is achieved in these accounts, drawing also from studies of choreographic and performative practices where alternatives emerge to the view of expression as resulting from imitation or enactment of ordinary expressions of emotion; it appears that emotions and feelings are often used as part of dancers’ training and creative processes with choreographers, to refine and give life to the movement material