Showcase of Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors (SOURCE)

Gone and Gravitaitng

As human beings and artists, what we produce is visibly influenced by the complex interactions that take place around us. The eyes are the physical portal through which information from our environment is collected. We often take for granted the ability to see the world around us, but what happens when we take this ability away? As a student choreographer and dancer, I use contemporary movement to express this unique experience. When taking the ability to see away, you will notice the feeling of needing more support and guidance from one another throughout our lives. In this research, dancers are being blindfolded as a tool for personal growth to navigate through the space. Since the dancers cannot see, they will need more support and guidance from other members of the cast to build a community together. We can verbally support and guide someone throughout our lives, but movement expresses the raw, reckless experiences throughout the body. Movement is generated through reckless and chaotic experiences that are expressed when not having the proper support from one another. Throughout the piece, the dancers will take off their blindfolds to realize that they actually have people around them that are there for them instead of feeling neglected by closer ones. Researching this topic we are taking a closer look into our own personal experiences to illustrate this feeling of needing more support. With help from my cast, this concept will bring awareness to the abilities we take for granted.