ASD 2000 Conference 17 Abstracts

Millennial Dreaming: Washington, D.C.

Unearthed Shadows II is an improvisational performance inspired by dream images. Embodying dream postures, gestures, and relationships, the dancers sculpt their bodies, unearthing and giving expression to the subliminal and symbolic. Through movement, contact and vocals, the dancers spontaneously create an unfolding dance ritual of solos, duets, and trios that is visually appealing and kinetically rich. The name "Animage" is an assemblage of "an image of anima (breath, life, soul)," and describes the company's raison d'etre. Since its inception in January 1998, Animage produced and presented its own full-length concerts at the Arts Council of Princeton (Earth Bound Spirit Creatures, Without Fear) and Philadelphia's Fringe Festival (Unafraid, Unearthed Shadows), was presented at the Kumquat Theater in Philadelphia (Footprints Across My Pillow), and participated in Philadelphia's First Fridays and the Trenton Avant Garde Festival. To sold-out houses, Animage presented its premiere performance, Earth Bound Spirit Creatures, an exploration of the dynamic tension of a spirit-driven physical being. Animage produced a 30 minute video, Sixth Sense: Conversations in Movement, featured on Princeton's TV30 in May 1999. The company consists of 3 women and 4 men, ages 25 to 52, from all walks of life. Company members are selected for their idiosyncratic strengths and ability to work and perform as a collective. Performances are improvisational: unified, informed, and inspired by images and structures, created collaboratively, and directed by Catharine Vaucher. Dreamwork style: Jungian, Process-oriented Psychology, connection between body symptoms and dream symbols Inspired by the richness of my dreams I began researching methods for exploring dream content and images using movement and voice. I found that there was little being done in that area. With a minimal basis of information I began developing methods for dream retrieval and embodiment. Originally a means for personal understanding, however the beauty and integrity of the dream shapes, and individual's experiences, encouraged me to develop deeper structures to enable the dreamer to physically and metaphorically explore and interact with dream content. I find it most effective to call on dreams when the body is exhausted. After 15 minutes of vigorous dancing, I work the dancers back down to the floor in an easy, sleeping position. I invite them to recall a dream/image. I ask them to hold up an image of the dream before their mind's eye, and to scan the image using R.E.M., then to let the image drop into their body. This place then becomes the "source" of movement for exploration. Sometimes I get them to notice what part of their body is noticeably inactive, and suggest a duet between the inactive body part and source. I am aware of and accept the ASD dreamwork ethical statement. Participation of Attendees: Animage's performances are intimate, and designed to encourage accessibility and participation. When viewed at a close proximity, dance becomes less 'performance' and more like 'life.' During Philadelphia's Fringe Festival, Animage presented dances on street corners. Wearing all white and maintaining a concentrated focus, the dancers were set apart from its audience, however there were several poignant moments when audience members stepped into the performance and made remarkable contributions.

For Unearthed Shadows II, the audience will be guided to create the sound score based on key phrases or statements from their dreams. Depending upon the setting, considering practical and energetic factors, Animage may invite audience members to contribute dream shapes/postures for the dancers to improvise with. At the end of the performance there will be a discussion of the presentation, and the audience will be invited to respond and ask questions.

CATHARINE VAUCHER, Princeton, NJ

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