Soft Choreography: WEEK 2 BLOG POST
‘Representational terms’
A lady bug floats in the humans indulgence
‘Non-representational intention’
The lady bugs becoming is still present with its life still, as the human and non-human run along the same stream
Is this correct?
Does it need to be correct?
It’s been difficult to figure out where to ‘begin’ in the making process of non-representational theory. First off, it’s been difficult to figure out where to ‘begin’ in the making process of something that I can’t get a grasp on. Last week we were asked to figure this out, but my thoughts are still unwritten. This theory has educated me in a way that is difficult for me to explain. Is it meant to be the successor to post-modernism? To demolish power systems? I wrote down that it “questions the system of knowledge”, this might be why I’m having some difficulty. I believe the system of knowledge is how we are educated, how we form our views on what we are educated about, when that is challenged it creates an autonomy that I think makes me uncomfortable. Uncomfortable by the realisation that there is no set system. Uncomfortable by the realisation that I have to make my own.
Mette Ingvartsen’s The Artificial Nature Project (2012) and Lin Hwai-min’s Cursive (2001) were interesting non-representational performances to watch. From a non-representational perspective of viewing you could say that one could experience growth from them. These works can open one up to the complex and intricate detailing of something that may feel incomplete or lacking a clear intention. Applying this viewing experience to these works can reveal both human and non-human influence. Whilst I was viewing it I attempted this perspective and was able to open my mind to experience beyond what I think I can understand. I was able to understand that allowing this vibrancy to my own system of experience created a sense of abundance and limitlessness.
To explore non-representational theory in the act of making and doing, I offered a representational sentence to my group: “the fish is swimming”. I don’t know if this works? Since it is just prose, but I know that it is not non-representational because it doesn’t get at the complexity of the fish. Or maybe it opens up the question of its complexity? There is no set role for a fish in the way that there is no set meaning that non-representational theory wants to fix.
I think that the techniques that can be established in using non-representational theory are dependent on the subject it is being used on and for. However, I can see that the constant relevant technique, is questioning and including. To have no boundaries and no set structure. Something very liberating in creative processes and outcomes.
To set a task for someone else with the rule to explore non-representational theory would be very difficult, mostly because I find it hard to explore is myself. I’d probably guide them to start off with a simple sentence and move with no limit. Perhaps with a fish?