Dance Techniques 2010

44
Concept and Ideology
In the Humphrey / Limón Technique, quality is defined by
how a movement is performed rather than by the movement
itself. Danielson explains that the Humphrey / Limón
Technique differentiates between various movement attributes
and categorizes them according to tension ratios;
for example active–passive, strong–weak, etc. What happens
on stage or in the studio is also determined (for example)
by what the dancer actively engages in, as well as
by the influence of momentum, gravity, and the like. This
scope for articulation and differentiation gives rise to an
infinite range of movements that dancers should be aware
of and play with, as a Limón dancer—like any dancer—essentially
only articulates, combines, and varies what Danielson
sees as the core elements of movement: energy, time,
and shape.
So if the number of combinations is endless, how
can we determine if a movement sequence is successful?
Danielson says:
“A dancer succeeds just by doing. The moment class
starts, we are dancing. In this sense, there is no preparation
for the dance proper, but rather class begins and ends
with dance. We train to articulate the body more and more
so that the movements become more and more precise and
refined. And when I see that this ‘refining process’ is taking
place, then I talk of students ‘succeeding’. Of course,
nothing is ever perfect. We work towards a movement
phrase that every dancer can integrate fully into his or her
own body. This means that all students can ‘succeed’ in the
phrase—regardless of their training level.”
Moreover, there is a difference between the working
and learning goal, i.e., the technical ideal students should
strive for and an individual’s physicality. Danielson sees
the relationship between the two as follows: the better
the dancer’s physical condition, the more possibilities for
movement he or she has.
Another learning and working goal is presence. What
notion of presence is created, communicated, and taught,
both in and through his teaching? Which part of the body
is particularly important? The eyes? The back? Is it the
head’s placement, or the alignment of the entire body?
Danielson gives a precise definition: it is found in an ever–
present body consciousness in space and time. In short:
awareness.