Cognitive Dance Improvisation: How Study of the Motor System Can Inspire Dance (and Vice Versa)

This paper describes several dance improvisation techniques inspired by the study of the motor system. One technique takes experiments on interlimb coordination from the laboratory to the dance studio. Another technique, termed fixed-point technique, makes use of the fact that one can change which part of the body is fixed in space. A third technique is based on the idea that one can maintain the action, as it were, by “reversing the acting limb.” All techniques target a specific capacity of the motor system and as such may inspire new psychophysical experiments. The present approach to generating movements, which merges dance improvisation with insights from cognitive neuroscience and biokinesiology, may also be fruitfully extended to robotics. Ivar Hagendoorn (choreographer, researcher), Marnixstraat 18 A, 2518 PZ The Hague, The Netherlands. E-mail: . Web site: . Fig. 1. Fixed-point technique. Stand up, holding the right hand to the chest (a). Extend the arm (b). To re-establish the point of departure, bring the hand to the body (return to [a]) or bring your body to your hand (c). (Photos © Ivar Hagendoorn. Dancer: Ester Nazijl.)