Bodyscores

workshop

overview

Scores, in the broadest sense, are a form of organising ideas, of communicating instructions, of archiving processes. These workshop are facilitated by artists working with scores in different performing art fields. Participants learn how to read and create different kinds of scores (notational, graphic, text, audio, video) which can then be used to create compositions and performances.

core

We dive into topics such as: how can you develop a notation system that both captures what you want to communicate and can easily be interpreted by performers? What elements of a performance do we choose to include and leave out in a score?

extra detail

Notable events:

25th September 2021 at Marres, Maastricht. Facilitated by composer and curator, Yun Lee; and graphic designer and dance educator, Karina Dukalska.
Marres: for more information visit the event page
15th and 16th October 2019 at WORM, Rotterdam. Facilitated by composer and curator, Yun Lee; visual artist and performer, Natalie Fyfe; and graphic designer and dance educator, Karina Dukalska. Support by dancer, Alina Jacobs.
WORM: for more information visit the event page or Facebook page

Participants swaying their torsos and arms

Karina and Yun admire participants written scores on paper displayed on the floor

Karina sitting with two participants brainstorming ideas

Two participants performing, standing and stretching their arms.

A participant performing, standing in a proud pose, while holding a piece of paper.

Yun performing, laying flat on the floor.

Scores drawn on pieces of paper, displayed on the floor.

Participants admiring and comparing scores.

Above are snapshots of Bodyscores at Marres. Photos by Rob van Hoorn.

Above are snapshots of Bodyscores at WORM. Photos by Karina Dukalska, Yun Lee and Kendal Beynon.

For the purpose of this workshop, we will be creating scores around archival material pulled from the Pirate Bay. Participants will experiment with writing for themselves and for each other. We will focus on using small gestures and isolated parts of the body. By isolating one aspect of a body part, participants will explore physical boundaries and learn how to compose with minimal elements.
This course is mostly practical and involves some discussion. We will start off with warm ups and exercises, gradually working up to creating longer pieces. Participants will perform, analyse, and discuss existing scores before making and testing their own scores. The workshop will end in a presentation of all scores and resulting performances.
No previous experience in performance, composition/choreography or any form of score-making is required. Participants must be willing to perform.

Day 1: Transcription, text and video scores
Participants will get an overview of notation systems used in movement, transcribe gestures made by dancer Alina Jacobs, transcribe and perform each others gestures, read a score, and create collaborative text scores.

Day 2: Breath scores, and scoring the archive
Participants will be guided through a series of scoring exercises that centre around the breath before working on a score using archival material from the Pirate Bay. We will be trying out, fine-tuning, and giving feedback to each score.