In this episode of Dance GEMs, Jean and Ton dive into the fascinating world of forms in dance, with a special focus on the in-between forms—those transitional moments between defined forms. They explore how movement flows between forms, whether shape and form are the same, and how dancers can develop greater awareness of their transitions.
Along the way, they also discuss:
The difference between shape and form and how language has evolved around these concepts.
How dance is not just about arriving at a pose but about consciously moving between forms.
The importance of proprioception and how dancers can refine their awareness of form in space.
The historical evolution of words like "shape" and "form", looking at their etymology.
The visual vs. kinesthetic perception of movement—how we tend to think in two dimensions while dance exists in three (or even four!).
This episode challenges listeners to rethink how they approach dance: Is it just about hitting the final pose, or should we give equal importance to the transition?
💡 Movement is not just about hitting the final form but about how you transition between forms.
💡 Proprioception—our awareness of our own movement—is key to refining our forms in dance.
💡 The difference between form and shape is more than just semantics; it changes how we approach choreography.
💡 Dancers must balance visual learning (which often flattens movement into 2D) with kinesthetic awareness (which embraces movement in 3D and beyond).
💡 Thinking about dance in 4D (including time and movement) can change how we approach performance and training.
🔹 Episode 16 (Season 1): Form First, Function Second?
🔹 Episode 7 (Season 2): Form, Shape & Design
💬 What do you think about the idea of dancing between shapes rather than just from one form to another? Let us know!
📢 Follow & Subscribe:
🌐 Website: gem.dance.podcast
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Until next time! Keep dancing between the shapes. 💃🕺