What is Contact Improvisation?
Starting simple...
Contact Improvisation (CI) is a movement practice involving an open-ended exploration of listening and connection with one’s self, others, and the surroundings, through spontaneous, moving points of contact.
CI includes aspects of physics, meditation, Aikido, playfulness, and much more.
Take a look...
Videos: Click on the title below
Steve Paxton- About reasons to be a mover
Steve Paxton- Good footage here of the roots of CI
Steve Paxton, bio by wikipedia: (born 1939, Tucson, Arizona) is an experimental dancer and choreographer. His early background was in gymnastics while his later training included three years with Merce Cunningham and a year with José Limón. As a founding member of the Judson Dance Theater, he performed works by Yvonne Rainer and Trisha Brown. He was a founding member of the experimental, Grand Union, and in 1972 named and began to develop the dance form known as Contact Improvisation, a form of dance that utilizes the physical laws of
friction, momentum, gravity, and inertia to explore the relationship between dancers.
Paxton believed that even an untrained dancer could contribute to the dance form, and so began his great interest in pedestrian movement. After working with Cunningham and developing chance choreography, defined as any movement being dance, Paxton's interest in the boundaries of movement was ignited. Paxton is one of the most influential dancers of his generation whose approach has influenced choreography globally.
Not Until Now-A film of contact improvisation
A Film by Brandon Gonzalez
Danced by Laurie Ellington and Brandon Gonzalez
Filmed by Michel Scott
Music: Not Until Now (Remix) by MEDIUMS
The film documents two dancers as they strive and sometimes struggle to create intimate connection both physically and emotionally. Using the form contact improvisation as their focus. The music, instrumental and skillfully composed, along with serene images of nature, set the stage for the dance to unfold.
2008 West Coast Contact Improvisation Festival Video Lab
A film by ecstaticfilms.com
Music: Kim Hiorthoy - Forskjellige Gode
Contact improvisational dance. I created a video lab at the WCCIF festival. The
dancers were given 10 minutes to perform in front of the camera. The footage was
edited to music
Contact Improvisation (CI) is a movement practice involving an open-ended exploration of listening and connection with one’s self, others, and the surroundings, through spontaneous, moving points of contact.
CI includes aspects of physics, meditation, Aikido, playfulness, and much more.
Take a look...
Videos: Click on the title below
Steve Paxton- About reasons to be a mover
Steve Paxton- Good footage here of the roots of CI
Steve Paxton, bio by wikipedia: (born 1939, Tucson, Arizona) is an experimental dancer and choreographer. His early background was in gymnastics while his later training included three years with Merce Cunningham and a year with José Limón. As a founding member of the Judson Dance Theater, he performed works by Yvonne Rainer and Trisha Brown. He was a founding member of the experimental, Grand Union, and in 1972 named and began to develop the dance form known as Contact Improvisation, a form of dance that utilizes the physical laws of
friction, momentum, gravity, and inertia to explore the relationship between dancers.
Paxton believed that even an untrained dancer could contribute to the dance form, and so began his great interest in pedestrian movement. After working with Cunningham and developing chance choreography, defined as any movement being dance, Paxton's interest in the boundaries of movement was ignited. Paxton is one of the most influential dancers of his generation whose approach has influenced choreography globally.
Not Until Now-A film of contact improvisation
A Film by Brandon Gonzalez
Danced by Laurie Ellington and Brandon Gonzalez
Filmed by Michel Scott
Music: Not Until Now (Remix) by MEDIUMS
The film documents two dancers as they strive and sometimes struggle to create intimate connection both physically and emotionally. Using the form contact improvisation as their focus. The music, instrumental and skillfully composed, along with serene images of nature, set the stage for the dance to unfold.
2008 West Coast Contact Improvisation Festival Video Lab
A film by ecstaticfilms.com
Music: Kim Hiorthoy - Forskjellige Gode
Contact improvisational dance. I created a video lab at the WCCIF festival. The
dancers were given 10 minutes to perform in front of the camera. The footage was
edited to music
Want to learn more? Highly recommended contact improv blog here.
Want to play music at a Jam? Please read this.
Want to play music at a Jam? Please read this.