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SESSIONS Non-Technical Presentations, Panels & Workshops Motif Writing as a Tool for Abstraction / Abstract Patty Harrington Delaney Motif Writing is a valuable tool in teaching composition. It provides a contextual framework in which to explore choreographic elements such as movement structure, spatial design, phrasing and dynamics. By organizing these movement concepts and identifying them symbolically, Motif Writing engenders cognitive understanding and, through practical application of this understanding, the cognitive and creative processes are merged. As Dr. Edward Warburton discusses in his paper, “The Dance on Paper: the Effect of Notation-Use on Learning and Development in Dance,” (Research in Dance Education, Vol. 1, Nov. 2, 2000), notation enables the dance artist to view his domain as a body of knowledge that stems from both intellectual understanding and creative expression. With this philosophy in mind, the dance artist can use this body of knowledge to relate in movement to anything or anyone he chooses. For this proposed non-technical session at ICKL, I would like to briefly demonstrate how this can be applied in two situations: the abstraction of an everyday event, such as brushing your teeth or making a meal, and the abstraction of a work of modern art, both of which are assignments in the Composition I class at Southern Methodist University. Abstraction of an Everyday Event A Motif outline is developed from the careful observation of an everyday event, symbolically identifying the movement structure present in the event. In addition, the qualities of non-physical elements present in this event, such as a toothbrush or a piece of chicken are identified. Movement ideas suggested by these qualities are then symbolically recorded. The recorded symbols provide a basic outline for movement exploration. Abstraction of a Work of Modern Art The same basic principles described above are used in this exploration. The work of art is examined from the structural (medium and texture), visual (color and design) and emotional (personal reaction) perspectives. Each of these elements is explored for movement ideas and then these ideas are recorded in symbols. Again the symbols provide a basic outline for movement exploration. Patty Harrington Delaney is an Assistant Professor at Southern Methodist University where she teaches composition, Labanotation, jazz and musical theater history. She is a Professional Certified Notator and her Labanotation scores include José Limón's La Malinche and Leni Wylliams' Sweet in the Morning. She is currently creating the score of Pilobolus Dance Theatre’s Alraune.
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