According to Maslow, sleep, food, water, and shelter are necessary to sustain personal existence. Since humankind was cast out of the Garden of Eden, we have had to labor to obtain these tangible necessities. In other words, work requires effort.
Laban conceived the dynamic energies utilized in working as combinations of three motion factors – Space, Weight, and Time. Based on his studies of work movement during the Second World War, he identified 8 Basic Actions.
These combinations of Space, Weight, and Time can be designated with action verbs – Floating, Punching, Gliding, Slashing, etc. These actions occur when we are dealing with material objects and tools. Because these movements are directed at tangible objects, Laban felt these basic efforts were the most obvious.
Consequently the Action Drive is the foundation of Laban’s theories of effort. But he did not stop here. Find out more in the next blog.