Oral Presentations - Session 2E: UC 332
Organized Chaos in the Silence of Solitude: A Demonstration of Meditation Practice through Modern Dance Choreography
Presentation Type
Presentation
Faculty Mentor’s Full Name
Nicole Bradley-Browning
Faculty Mentor’s Department
College of Visual & Performing Arts, School of Theatre & Dance
Abstract / Artist's Statement
Organized Chaos in the Silence of Solitude:
A Demonstration of Meditation Practice through Modern Dance Choreography
Visual and Performing Arts
Meditation is an act of chosen solitude and projected restfulness; the calming of one's physical self and the quieting of one's overcrowded mind. Organized Chaos in the Silence of Solitude is an ongoing investigation of the act of meditation practices and how those individual experiences could collectively translate through contemporary modern dance movement. This choreographic work demonstrates the contrasts between a state of calmness and the chaos of an overcrowded mind attempting active meditation. In this symbolic study, two dancers illustrate this conflict by representing one person striving to achieve inner peace.
The work, Organized Chaos in the Silence of Solitude, physically exhibits these mental shifts. The movement was inspired by the process of meditation. For example, the dance describes the moment in meditation when one attempts to slow down the brain just enough to enter a state of peace, only to realize how quickly one's thoughts shift. Inspiration for the work was also drawn from curiosity as to why we decide to linger on certain thoughts for longer than others. Each body is restricted to separate pools of light with no visual connection to the audience. The audience is not recognized because the dancers represent a solitary act in motion.
How much control do we really have? Over our mind, over our body? How and why do we choose to access certain thoughts, or not? How can we describe those ideas? The challenge and intrigue to discuss this topic through modern dance choreography is pivotal in my approach to generating movement material as well as my artistic invention as a choreographer and performing dance artist. One's expression of her or his own imperfections is an essential aspect of existence.
Category
Visual and Performing Arts (including Creative Writing)
Organized Chaos in the Silence of Solitude: A Demonstration of Meditation Practice through Modern Dance Choreography
Organized Chaos in the Silence of Solitude:
A Demonstration of Meditation Practice through Modern Dance Choreography
Visual and Performing Arts
Meditation is an act of chosen solitude and projected restfulness; the calming of one's physical self and the quieting of one's overcrowded mind. Organized Chaos in the Silence of Solitude is an ongoing investigation of the act of meditation practices and how those individual experiences could collectively translate through contemporary modern dance movement. This choreographic work demonstrates the contrasts between a state of calmness and the chaos of an overcrowded mind attempting active meditation. In this symbolic study, two dancers illustrate this conflict by representing one person striving to achieve inner peace.
The work, Organized Chaos in the Silence of Solitude, physically exhibits these mental shifts. The movement was inspired by the process of meditation. For example, the dance describes the moment in meditation when one attempts to slow down the brain just enough to enter a state of peace, only to realize how quickly one's thoughts shift. Inspiration for the work was also drawn from curiosity as to why we decide to linger on certain thoughts for longer than others. Each body is restricted to separate pools of light with no visual connection to the audience. The audience is not recognized because the dancers represent a solitary act in motion.
How much control do we really have? Over our mind, over our body? How and why do we choose to access certain thoughts, or not? How can we describe those ideas? The challenge and intrigue to discuss this topic through modern dance choreography is pivotal in my approach to generating movement material as well as my artistic invention as a choreographer and performing dance artist. One's expression of her or his own imperfections is an essential aspect of existence.