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Manipulation of the elements of dance as they relate to concept/intent for 2 or 3 dancers
Manipulating time for two or three dancers
Tempo and duration
Selective manipulation of tempo and duration of movement can further enhance the intent you want to communicate. Tempo is the speed of a movement and duration is the length of a movement, or the time it takes to perform.
For example:
- Fast or accelerated movements can suggest ideas of haste, frenzy, frustration, competition or urgency.
- Slow or decelerating movements can suggest ideas of lethargy, exhaustion, calm or suspense.
- Tension can be created by employing extremes of tempo or duration.
- Sustaining a shape or movement over time can draw attention to that shape or movement as a motif that communicates your intent.
- Varying tempo and duration across phrases performed by your dancers provides variation and contrast.
Activity 1
1. Ask your dancers to perform the same phrase in "elastic"
time. Allow them to determine, through improvisation, the tempo and duration of
movements in the phrase.
2. Discuss the differences in the way the phrases look to
an audience, the meaning conveyed and how the dancers feel when performing using
different timing.
Activity 2
Review your work in progress. Have you considered the tempo
and duration of movements in relation to your intent?
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