Human beings have big heads, and biomechanically speaking, this is a headache. Standing up freed our arms and hands and opened new spatial horizons. But it also means we must cope with balancing our heavy heads against the constant pull of gravity.
Irmgard Bartenieff always felt that homo sapiens are still working out the possibilities of movement in three-dimensional space. Evolution has given us greater potential than we have figured out how to use. And this is where Laban’s Choreutic theories come in.
The scales and rhythmic circles Laban prescribed take the mover out of safe territory – they are off-vertical, de-stabilizing, and challenging in terms of balance and range of motion. I see his Choreutic forms as puzzles to be solved at the body level.
The forthcoming Advanced Space Harmony workshop presents some of Laban’s little known Choreutic forms and invites participants to engage with these both functionally and expressively. The aim is to create an environment for exploration of new territory. All those who love a puzzle are welcome!