whose style?

"Were I called on to define, very briefly, the term Art, I should call it 'the reproduction of what the Senses perceive in Nature through the veil of the soul.'"

Edgar Allan Poe

While walking on this clear but very chilly evening just before sunset, I came across an abandoned building in the park that was 'trapping' the warmth and golden light of the sun. As I approached the building, a fallen sumac branch was laying on the grass, and my first thought was to do a spontaneous dance of connection to other via this stick... dancing 'stick style.'

In viewing the film later, I realized how much assimilation there is, unconsciously, of other dancer's styles simply by witnessing them - I could see moments of Momo, Misty, Carolyn, Rev, Melinda... within this short dance attempt of dancing 'free-style.'

I could appreciate so much Patricia's 'copy-cat style' post (here) - and through this embodied practice I was able to witness how I am a conglomerate of what I view... This made me think that, potentially, how we are also made up of what we hear, what we touch, what we taste, and what we smell and how that all that we bring into our beings through our senses becomes part of us and can directly affect our 'style' and what is expressed outwardly....

Feeling grateful for this practice of connection with you all! Appreciate those that may be viewing our blog collaboration - and hope that you may be be inspired to join us!

Music: Satowa

transition

So with our focus on freeSTYLE this month (and beyond too I think) I wanted to dance a fusion of both patterned and newly learned styles for me. A big part of who I am is my affinity for wild Nature, and while traveling yesterday up the North Cascades Highway looking to see eagles (who were eerily absent) I was drawn to the edge of the mighty Skagit River.

I felt a sense of emerging and renewal as I used the scarf; exploring yet another style.

This location is a very powerful one; this river runs deep and fast. I see in the water such a strong metaphor for life. Starting slowly as a snowflake in the mountainous heights, then melting, first as a trickle and then rapidly gaining volume and momentum until you are rushing down a wide channel, and then finally slowing down as you head out into the almost infinite and renewing cycle of the ocean.

study of styles

This has been an interesting theme so far. With so many possible styles to absorb there is always something new.

A couple days ago I met Momo for a session. She pointed out some of the elements of my own personal style, such as preferring very outdoorsy locations and flowing motions. I find it is true that I tend to follow a pattern in my dance, which is a bit ironic because I started butoh to break out of old patterns. So I can see the wisdom in challenging ourselves to try new styles. To break out of old patterns, to learn new gifts to incorporate in the dance and in life, to foster creativity and innovation.

In this dance with Momo we tried several different styles, for example my usual flowing one to more linear staccato movements. Besides learning some new styles I had a lot of fun with this one.

Many thanks to Momo and to Kazuo Ohno.