e h T s s e c r P e t n i P
The Process Pointe
Welcome!
Image: Anthony Barraclough for DPL
Here you will find where the art gallery, zoo and museum collide by the simple feature of keeping our doors open to our dance studio. As a spectator, you are encouraged to come and go as you please, albeit quietly and in a respectful manner to those at work. We wish to invite you into the dance studio to witness the process of refinement necessary to be a professional dance practitioner, as well as the more sensitive
and intimate moment of creation. There is no guarantee as to what you will see, as this will be determined by the spontaneity of your visit. But we hope that breaking the fourth wall allows you to enjoy dance in an alternative setting, and that you too will embrace the unknown that may unfold during your visit.
Rescher “For the process philosopher, process has priority over product— both ontologically and epistemically.”
Nicholas
Image: Helen Bissell Bland for DPL
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Gillian
Throughout operational hours, spectators are invited to explore the studios, from the designated areas as the dancers take part in their daily classes and rehearsals. Feel free to move swiftly through the space or take a seat to watch. Voices must be kept to a minimum, but we still encourage small discussions amongst spectators in response to what they are viewing. Similar to other dance companies, there are several projects underway in varying stages of development. We encourage you to follow the creation process of these works to see how ideas are Rose given to physical form. “...never certain of invisibilty...�
You may have previously attended an open rehearsal elsewhere... Image: Lucy Elliston for DPL
The Process Pointe is not too disimilar from this! Open rehearsals are often a planned event, there is knowledge that a group of people will be coming in for the sole purpose of viewing a rehearsal. This means that what is shown, is often already somewhat rehearsed and allows the practitioners to make the conscious decision to not show a particular segment. We hope to remove this aspect to create a truly raw and unique way of viewing dance, first hand.
Knowing Dance through Process as an Audience
The dancers are fully aware of the parameters in which they are working and of your presence in the space. However, do not expect them to speak with you in the middle of class or rehearsal... they are at work!
Image: Stephen Vause for DPL
Photography is not permitted at The Process Pointe unless otherwise authorised.
We hope that by taking the initiative of inviting the viewing public into our place of practice and creation, the viewer feels immersed in dance in a way that may not have been previously experience.d.
The lack of boundaries set up by time (a planned event) and space (in which to perform) means that the spectator may find a new appreciation for the work involved. This may also give the viewer a deeper connection to a finished dance work, if they too have taken the same journey as both the dance maker and practitioner.
John
Berger “... in the zoo, the view is always wrong. Like an image out of focus.”
Is the growth and development of a particular dancer or dance work not also interesting?
Frédéric
Pouillaude “The effective essence of theatre depends on the mystery of the one time only.”
The point is the process.
How do you view dance? Image: Toshi for DPL
A museum draws many visitors in at some point for a myriad of reasons. Some people simply have an inquisitive nature and enjoy wandering aimlessly around artifacts. Others have a direct initiative which leads them to a particular object or exhibition for research. There are even some who have no real interest or connection with what is on display, only enjoying the space itself with its maze of quiet rooms and the ebb and flow of fellow inquisitive minds. The Process Pointe invites the same inquisitive minds to explore the studio space to enjoy and experience dance as a spectator.
The Process Pointe is not designed to replace fully developed dance works or installations which should be witnessed with all components present and valued at a specific time and place. The point of The Process Pointe is to allow the viewer the option to look behind the curtain at any time they may feel compelled to do so, and in turn possibly gain a new perspective on the artform. This is an attempt to remove the element of performance so that the work itself can be fully appreciated as it is refined or created, without any added sensory from the dancers. This in itself means the dancer must forgo any inhibitions of being seen in the vulnerable state of self practice and rehearsal. This is not simply to just show the amount of work involved in maintaining a level of athleticism needed by the dancer, as well as the research and development process which is often lengthy and disjointed, but will hopefully entice the viewer to enjoy, more intimately, the process itself that an individual dancer or dance work goes through. The Process Pointe was inspired by the author/editor’s own experiences in works with improvisational elements and occasions when she was given the specific direction of doing the task rather than performing it, despite being on stage. This caused the performance state to shift, facilitating the decision to work as if alone and not being viewed by spectators; despite the fact the audience were clearly visible from stage and not in the comfort of a dance studio. The presence of the viewers was no longer influential on the dance.
Image: Nicola Morris for DPL
Nicholas
Rescher “A natural process is not a mere collection of sequential stages but inherently exhibits a structure of spatiotemporal continuity.�
The hope is to share a vulnerability to a viewing audience that they may not otherwise have the opportunity to witness. This is the reason The Process Pointe exists.
A note from the author/ editor:
Image: Cath Dupuy for DPL
The images included are from previously held dance photography workshops, hosted by Dance Photo London and used to support the proposal of experiencing dance in the act of its practice and creation for the proposal of... The
Process Pointe
Author/Editor: Michelle Buckley
Dancers pictured: Michelle Buckley & Ruben de Monte (Co-founders of DPL)