Date of Award
2010
Document Type
Thesis
Publisher
Edith Cowan University
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts Honours
School
Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA)
Faculty
Faculty of Education and Arts
First Supervisor
Maggi Phillips
Abstract
"A dancer is bound to the given form of the human body" (Hamalainen, 2009, p. 107). As an art form, dance relies on the movement of these bodies. Dance is not fixed but can leave a lasting impression on the viewer. As a performance art, dance is truly ephemeral- a term that has been defined as "lasting for only a short period of time and leaving no permanent trace" (Encarta®, 2009). As a dance performer and spectator, I am affected by this ephemerality on a daily basis. Within this thesis, I initially outline what constitutes dance as ephemeral. I then form conclusions regarding the question of how the ephemerality of dance affects the dancer, the spectator and the art form in general. Within this I draw parallels and note contrasts between dance and other creative outlets such as music, acting, visual art and literature. With the examination of many academic opinions and the writing of a purely theoretical thesis, I have furthered my knowledge within the field of dance and ultimately become a more knowledgeable and informed dance artist and spectator.
Recommended Citation
Johnson, A. F. (2010). The ephemerality of dance. Edith Cowan University. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1350