Rudolf Laban notes that we can distinguish between the space within reach of the body (the kinesphere) and “space in general.”
General space may be like an empty room (think of a dance studio). Or it may be characterized by the objects within a space, which serve as landmarks and/or obstacles (think of a living room with sofa and chairs).
Landmarks help to structure and guide movement, if only because we don’t like to collide other objects (like sofas and chairs). Navigating through empty spaces offers more possibilities for movement and more challenges.
Recognizing this, Laban created landmarks to help dancers navigate within the trackless space of an empty studio.
Find out more in the next blog.