Isn’t the meaning of a work always discovered, to some extent, by its creator during the process of making it?” (Roslyn Sulcas). Through direct engagement with the artistic work and life experience of various prominent artists currently working in the field of experimental dance and performance, we will consider how style, process, logistics, methodologies, value systems and creative interests all intersect in the making, presenting and reception of performance works. Guest artists will be a central part of this course. We will participate in live workshops and interviews/discussions (both in-person and via zoom) with multiple guests throughout the term, which we will process through discussion, writing, analysis, and students’ own bi-weekly creative responses to the work, in an attempt to integrate or challenge some of these ideas in relations to students’ own artistic development. Throughout the course, we will examine the language and concepts artists employ about their work and its relation to how they are perceived and presented. We will also consider the various approaches these artists take towards their distinctive creative processes and strategies for artistic sustainability. Building off these interactions and creative responses, students will create a final presentation at the end of the term.
Learning Outcomes:
Students will:
-be exposed to a variety of current artistic work and approaches to dance and performance.
-gain practice and confidence in discussing and analyzing artistic work in written and verbal formats.
-explore the language employed by artists and others in the field, and explore the various concepts, approaches and values this language holds in relation to the artistic work itself.
-consider how the creative and practical choices and strategies artists employ inform the outcome of the work.
-make creative performative responses to the issues raised by the artists under consideration, thus clarifying and expanding both their toolkit for making work and their own individual artistic interests.
Delivery Method: Hybrid
Prerequisites: Please email levigonzalez@bennington.edu by May 11, 2022 explaining your interest in the course. Priority will be given to students who have Plans related to course material.
Course Level: 4000-level
Credits: 2
F 4:10PM - 6:00PM (Full-term)
Maximum Enrollment: 15
Course Frequency: One time only
Categories: All courses , Dance , Hybrid
Tags: analysis , composition , creative practice , dance , performance , performance art