Contact Improvisation
"Contact improvisation is most frequently performed as a duet, in silence, with dancers supporting each other's weight while in motion. Unlike wrestlers, who exert their strength to control a partner, contact improvisers use momentum to move in concert with a partner's weight, rolling, suspending, lurching together. They often yield rather than resist, using their arms to assist and support but seldom to manipulate. Interest lies in the ongoing flow of energy rather than on producing still pictures, as in ballet; consequently, dancers doing contact improvisation would just as soon fall as balance. Although many contact improvisers demonstrate gymnastic ability, their movement, unlike that of most gymnastic routines, does not emphasize the body's line or shape. Even more important, they improvise their movement, inventing or choosing it at the moment of performance." from 'Sharing The Dance, Contact Improvisation and American Culture' by Cynthia J. Novack
The dancers shown in these pictures are Amanda, Elena, Oasis and myself, Andrea (in the green shirt).
Contact improvisation is
one of my favorite things but I really haven't been doing it for very long. I took a hiatus after I had my baby and am anxious to get back to it.
Here are some pictures taken by Cathy Kurvers about two years ago at Portugese Beach in Mendocino, California. Quite a beautiful and inspiring spot for dancing.
Here is a collection of sites dedicated to contact improv classes and jams.
I especially like the Carolina Contact Improvisation page. It has great pictures, video clips and an explanation of techniques.
Freestyle dance jams are a good place to find people doing contact as well as to experience movement in new and experimental ways. There might be a jam in your area.
Here are some new pictures taken at the Arcata Farmer's Market in June 2000. The dancers are Robert Funk, Catherine Duncan and myself.
