Artistic Practice I (BDA712)

Content

Two seminars allow students to integrate their experiences and tie together knowledge gained from the different components og the course:

• An introductory seminar in which students explore their identity as performers
• a mid-year seminar in which they reflect on a choreographic process

Students are introduced to improvisation as a fundamental working method in contemporary dance, both as an exploration platform, a means of developing a personal movement language, a source of choreographic material, a performance form and, in the case of contact improvisation, an entire movement practice on its own.

The study of the use of compositional elements and tools, as well as the methods of relevant dance artists, informs students’ work on developing solo, duet, and smaller group dances.

Work in the studio with selected repertory is organized in short modules culminating in studio showings and group discussion. Larger projects lead to public performance of new works by established choreographers.

Learning outcome

By the end of the course, the student will be able to:

Knowledge

• understand improvisation as an artistic tool and method.
• have knowledge of relevant dance artists and their methods in improvisation and composition.
• understand and reflect upon their own role as a performing and co-creative dancer in work with repertoire and choreographic processes.

Skills

• understand fundamental principles, tools and methods of improvisation and composition and apply these both to their own creative and performance work.
• use improvisation as a source for physical development and expansion of their own personal movement vocabulary, bodily reflection and creative work.
• use a variety of improvisation methods in their own exploration and in collaboration with other performers and choreographers.
• use compositional tools and methods to express a physical idea or concept and in the creation of short choreographic studies/works.
• write and talk about their own performing skills associated with choreographic processes.

GeneralCompetence

• collaborate with others in creative and performative processes.
• work independently with creative processes.
• reflect on and discuss verbally and in writing their own work in various process and performance related situations.

Required prerequisite knowledge

Passed physical and dance technical audition.

English language skills are required in accordance with requirements for general study skills or the GSU list.

Exam

Coursework requirements

Compulsory attendance in accordance with the UK Faculty attendance regulations.

Portfolio with the following required elements:

- Written journal

- Creation of minimum 2 compositional studies

- 1 written assignment

- Participation in 2 open showings and 2 public performances.

- Assignments in the subject are delivered in Norwegian or English. Swedish and Danish are also permitted.

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Study Adviser:

Method of work

Group teaching including practical work, observation critical reflection and discussion

Practical tasks

Presentation of independent creative work

Written assignments

Rehearsals and performances

The subject is organized in weekly teaching activities. However, the teaching activity can entirely or partly be organized as intensive modules in periods of the academic year. The subject can also have a combination of weekly teaching and intensive modules.

Open for

Course assessment

Literature