Abstract

Touch in performance and movement practice is not a new concept, although it tends to inhabit movement therapy, partnering techniques, alignment studies, and ethics. However, this article addresses the importance of touch in creative practice with reference to holistic embodied movement, sense of self, one’s agency and situatedness. Employing a somatic methodology and phenomenological lens, this article presents tactile practice as research carried out from 2019 to 2022 with master’s students and professionals delivered in the space and online as a lecture-workshop at People Dancing UK’s Perspectives on Practice. This overarching framework highlights methods of touch prior to the pandemic demonstrating how one perceives and responds to contact from another body whilst retaining authenticity; shifts in tactile engagement during the pandemic and how it aids solo practice; and opens up conversations on reintroducing touch post pandemic with possible cross-disciplinary practice. The research investigates/investigated tactile stimulations within passive, active and intra-active touch as a listening tool in the solo body and between bodies. Through various case studies, these are examined in relation to creative inquiry and artistic identity. The article aims to challenge power relations and conventional connotations around touch and practice as well as offer new tactile engagements within solo creative practice. It also proposes touch as a collaborative mesh for cohesion and keep us in touch through a practical tactile toolkit. This will resonate with somatic movement practitioners in particular, however its inclusive nature means specific approaches may resonate with practitioners in other creative disciplines.

摘要

表演和运动实践中的触摸并不是一个新概念，尽管它往往存在于运动疗法、合作技巧、对齐研究和伦理学中。然而，本文讨论了触摸在创意实践中的重要性，涉及整体体现的运动、自我意识、个人的能动性和情境。本文采用躯体方法论和现象学视角，介绍了 2019 年至 2022 年硕士生和专业人士在空间和在线上进行的触觉实践研究，作为英国人民舞蹈协会实践观点的讲座研讨会。这个总体框架强调了大流行之前的触摸方法，展示了一个人如何感知和响应来自另一个身体的接触，同时保持真实性；疫情期间触觉参与的变化及其如何帮助单独练习；并就在大流行后重新引入接触以及可能的跨学科实践展开对话。该研究调查了被动、主动和主动内触摸中的触觉刺激，作为个体身体和身体之间的聆听工具。通过各种案例研究，这些都与创造性探究和艺术身份相关。本文旨在挑战围绕触摸和实践的权力关系和传统内涵，并在个人创作实践中提供新的触觉参与。通过实用的触觉工具包进行接触。这尤其会引起躯体运动从业者的共鸣，但其包容性意味着特定的方法可能会与其他创意学科的从业者产生共鸣。