Essays on Dance and Performance Theory - Exploring the Presence of the Body | Academic Dance Studies Book for Performers, Scholars & Art Lovers
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Product Description
Writing at the dynamic intersection of dance and performance studies.Of the Presence of the Body gathers nine original essays by eminent scholars in the fields of dance and performance studies. Its focus is the historical, cultural and political contexts that inform choreographic and dance practices and critical readings of dance―in other words, how dance operates as critical discourse. The question that runs throughout the essays is the theoretical and political problem of "how dances come to be seen," how the presence of the body leaves its mark on critical theories and performances. Focusing exclusively on 20th century dance, the interdisciplinary perspectives range from history to race studies, deconstruction, Marxist theory, feminist theory, literary studies and feminist ethnography. The anthology provides an overview of the current methodologies and theoretical developments in the field of dance studies. These essays expand our understanding of the performing body, and their organization around the epistemological problem in dance studies―the dynamics of seeing, remembering and writing―will make the collection useful for classes in dance criticism and theory, cultural theory, performance studies, and aesthetics.CONTRIBUTORS: Barbara Browning, Ramsey Burt, Thomas De Frantz, Mark Franko, André Lepecki, Karmen MacKendrick, Susan Manning, Randy Martin, Peggy Phelan.
Customer Reviews
Andre Lepecki’s book Of the Presence of the Body exemplifies the power of the collaborative union. All nine authors and their writings embody relevant discussions transpiring in both the academic and professional fields of dance choreography. The performativity of Peggy Phelan’s essay is truly compelling. Ms. Phelan’s literary approach finely weaves a feministic tapestry of dance criticism, personal relationships, choreographic works, and human existence. Her work brings home the philosophy of the “in between” moments of art and life.Mark Franko’s Given Movement Dance and the Event considers the situation of artistic response to 911. Mr. Franko’s dissertation re-examines the location of dance between ‘performance and event’ following the devastating act of terrorism on September 11th. French philosopher Jean-Francois Lyotard suggests “one could call an event the impact, on the system, of floods of energy such that the system does not manage to bind and channel this energy; the event would be the traumatic encounter of energy with the regulating institution.” Mark Franko goes further by stating, “an event happens by passing through the body without the body’s ability to contain, bind, or channel energy.” Franko believes the method of transmission is what connects the force of the event with the force of the artistic work.Other assembled essays compare and contrast a wide range of cultural, social, and political discourse with various dance works. Lepecki’s book has been a wonderful source for my academic research. I highly recommend this book for graduate level dance candidates.
