dance #133, elasticity

Sunday May 3, 2009

Elasticity

“…force takes form through an elastic movement that is curved through inflection. Inflection is a mathematical concept that demonstrates how lines are moved by nodal points that not only change the line’s direction but also alter the parameters for its mapping. Inflection makes apparent how even a ‘still’ can move as it curves with the force of preacceleration: movement’s elasticity is felt in its curving-through a nodal shift that redirects its force. This nodal shift is movement’s elastic point…Thought also moves through the elasticity of the almost. The elastic point is the creativity of movement in the making. It is the ontogenetic force through which becoming-form is felt. Movement folds around this elastic point such that what is felt is not the point per se but the elasticity of its becoming. This is a topological sensation—which is a paradox in itself: a topology of experience is a force-form before it is a feeling. Still, when we feel this sensation of ontogenetic force-taking-form, we do tend to smile, laugh, or at least feel surprised by the event as it expresses us.” Erin Manning (2009) Relationscapes: Movement, Art, Philosophy, p. 9

9:20 p.m. A 10 minute improvisation in the study. Dancing with Erin Manning. Dancing with another dancer’s Deleuzian text. A text that is already moving with movement. I felt incredible permission to just move! Feeling the “elasticity of the almost” in each incurving of movement. Pausing between movements to feel the sensation of what Manning calls “preacceleration”. The surprise and delight of worlding  a dance that could gather up this body in space and play with time. A technical, vibrant, lively dance. Movements across the floor. Lunging, reeling. Lengthening. Alice left the room and wandered off to the patio to enjoy the night air. She’s sitting next to me know while I post. It was a stunning sunny day.

~ by nmyers on May 3, 2009.