Over the weekend I got to experience moving on the beach in a variety of different ways and forms. I hope to add some photos and video from this day to this blog soon. Above is just one of the many images captured.
Playing with elements was so exhilarating! The wind, ocean, and sand inspired me immensely. Also, some man-made elements too: cement walls covered with graffiti.
On the beach, surrounded by sand, water, concrete, mountains, people, and animals, I danced for my Nana. It's the 1 year anniversary of her passing, so I felt the need to acknowledge and honor that. As the wind pushed and penetrated me, I embodied my Nana's qualities as I remembered. I allowed my body to move with those memories and experiences of her as a person, woman, and spirit. I really love the concept of embodiment with movement, especially with butoh. What are some ways one unites the mind and body in the performance arts? I would love to read more about this. Those who are reading this, if you have any recommendations, do share!
After my dance "For Nana", my dance partner and I began to embody the dogs in the area. I'm not sure where to begin in describing this, so I'll just go for it. We began mirroring a dog nearby, that was hysterically digging into the sand and jumping around, probably to get his owners' attention (they were laying on a blanket). So we began digging in the sand like wild animals. The energy and work involved in this was so much, my dance partner said, "it's tiring to be a dog." Then we began playing "stick." Literally, throwing the stick out to a point and the other going after it; however, in our case, we were leaping for it. There was a lot of belly laughing in between leaps during this time, which went on for 15 minutes. When do you decide and say to your friend/companion, "Let's play stick." What a concept. In fact, what a great time! Everyone should do this.
Our final spot, was the concrete wall of graffiti, which had a steep hill of sand directly in front it, creating a dip formation. We played with this construction by jumping and hopping from sand to wall. The wall had a slight curve to it, so you felt like a skateboarder, only without the skateboard. Running, jumping, hopping, turning, pausing, and embodying. Embodying the energy from the concrete and graffiti. One could inquire what the purpose was for a particular piece of the graffiti; when it was created there; etc. I love how the sand intersected with it, bringing this natural element into the play.
Moving in the outdoors gives so much possibility and inspiration, I want more......
