| Description |
Identity is one way in which we claim ourselves and our role within society. It allows us to categorize and negotiate who we are within this world, simultaneously altering who we become. How attached and attuned to ourselves can we be when our identity is heavily shaped and informed by our culture and surroundings? Due to this lack of attachment to identity, artists and dancers are faced with the problem of losing their own voices within the art of performance and choreography. Losing one's 'artistic' voice takes away a key layer in the multidimensionality present in the art of performance and choreography. Through my research, I question if a better understanding of one's self-identity can cultivate a more trusted and impactful way of moving, performing, and creating. In my research, I question whether I can recognize one of the many aspects of our identity that feels more honest to myself. This recognition through dance can result in a new aesthetic and intention of moving and educating. This thesis will investigate the process of creating work and teaching from a place of self-recognition while using an understanding of one's identity, past history, and memories to create new potential possibilities within performance and the classroom. |
