Selma: so up to here we have processes that could not be
programmed into a computer. That is, the initial or original creative
processes could not be programmed because they emerge in the consciousness
of the moment. Once the choreography has emerged, it could then be
programmed in its existing form but that would be rigid and could not
incorporate a creative process in any way.
Back to the book:
For Dunn's assignment to use a chance mechanism to choose body
parts, Summers remembers using a spinning ball to solve the problem. 105
Selma: The computer could be used here to advantage. Do you agree that
a spinning ball is a machine-type agent that would work in ways similar to
those of a computer?
The book:
Later, Paxton developed the use of the ball by writing movement choices
on it and stopping the diagrammed ball with his index finger or flattening
it with a piece of glass to determine the order of the options. 106 Summers
remembers that the discussion following the body parts assignment centered
on "how difficult it is to break away from body patterns that go together,
your own particular clichés or dance clichés in general."
107
Selma: This process (above) clearly could not be
programmed.
The book:
Movement, too, it was thought, could tune the mind-body to an
"authentic" and intensified consciousness of energy flow and varying
physical states. For instance, the techniques of "kinetic awareness" that
Elaine Summers would eventually develop as a full-blown system of physical/
spiritual therapy -- using anatomical studies and the verbal expression of
emotional and physical states to heal the whole person and liberate his or
her movement potential -- had its roots in her Dance for Carola (dedicated
to one of Summers's kinesiology teachers).
Selma: AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH ( I don't know if
that expresses my extreme pleasure at seeing the above
paragraph)
This, I believe, is where we can see the way
everything is integrated: the physical, the emotional, the intellectual, the
spiritual, the psychological, and, I believe, the cultural and sociological
because all of the other elements exist in a cultural and sociological
context.
For me, integrating the spiritual with all of
the other elements of human existence is the bottom line and I don't see how
we can ever talk about anything-economics, government policies, education,
medicine, family, work, infrastructure, technology, the media, sports, etc.
etc. without being conscious of the spiritual component and the way
everything is connected.
The book:
In this solo dance (performed in silence)
Summers changed from a standing posture to crouching and then back to
standing again, all in sustained slow motion. The single task took eight to
ten minutes. For Summers, the dance was a result of discovering a new energy
pattern and body image that was authentically hers, one that savored time
and extended sensory impressions. Again, the ideal of expanded consciousness
seemed to serve as the route to a utopian vision.
Selma: YES!!!!
The book:
On the one hand, then, there was an urge toward
sincerity, natural impulse, and harmonious union with the cosmos, achieved
through the expansion of the bodily senses. On the other hand, any inklings
that a unified, direct, and original experience of the world was indeed
possible were countered by the Cagean affirmation of chaos.
(Banes 244)
I am not clear about what is referred to
by "the Cagean affirmation of Chaos".
What comes to my mind at first is John Cage's
14 minutes of silence as a piece of music, but I don't think that is what is
being referred to here.
I also do not understand why the unified
feelings should be 'countered' by this 'Cagean affirmation of chaos'.
My very primitive understanding of chaos theory is that what one finds
when studying chaos is order and, for me, spirituality and creativity
incorporate and are manifestations of the highest form of order.( a
reference to the Einstein quote I used earlier would be appropriate here)
I have a feeling that I'm missing a very big piece here because
of my ignorance of what is being referred to. I hope someone can enlighten
me. (gently, please)
Selma
