'Synthesis of Information through Reflection' - Module 1 Discussion 16th November 2020






On Monday 16th November 2020 I attended the Module 1 discussion group centred around ‘Synthesis of Information through Reflection’.  Multiple topics and ideas were discussed but several in particular resonated with me. 

 

Adesola (who was leading this session), made the excellent point about how all the ‘data’ we have collected throughout this module relevant to our practice is malleable. There is always the opportunity to use the data to express one particular idea whilst also expressing another. I feel this ties in excellently with another point made during the session, namely that our presentation of our practice does not have to be one solid ‘shape’, but can continually change and be open to adaptation. The concept of not separating dance (or our art form) from academia was also mentioned which I believe follows on from this, since I have had personal experience with struggling to make my wide and varied practice ‘fit’ into a narrow academic box. In my opinion these problems partly come from our own self-conscious belief that art and academia are polar opposites, and thus it is impossible for us to excel in both. 

 

The topic of mental health was brought up and discussed in detail, with many participants recounting their feelings and Adesola highlighting that the regimented traditional style of dance training can feed a toxic culture where mental health is not discussed nor prioritised. I have made my feelings on this topic clear in a previous blog post where I discussed my personal experience with mental health issues and how it has influenced my practice. Out of this section of the discussion came the notion of understanding the importance of separation between your identity as an artist and your identity as a human being, whilst recognising the benefits of their combination. I discussed in a previous blog the different skills dancers possess and how they are transferable to other areas of employment, and I feel that naturally the environment of professional dance training impacts multiple aspects of one’s personality, particularly since most of us start training at a very young age. Combining the two in excess however is dangerous, and I have mentioned in my reflective essay how I use mindfulness to stop my mental health from impinging my progress. 

 

Another section of the discussion that I felt was extremely relevant to my work was when multiple participants raised the issue of struggling to consolidate all their data and knowledge into a concise ‘form’. I was reminded of how I used mind maps to consolidate all my data, and how recognising that I am a visual learner was instrumental in this. This discussion also made me conscious of the link between my literal mind-mapping of my practice and how I use the looser concept whilst creating, something again that I have mentioned in my essay. 

 

I gained some new insight from other members of the discussion who talked about how they had looked outside of their ‘bubble’ whilst researching and delving into their practice. One discussed talking to friends and family, whilst another mentioned researching the methods of other dancers and listening to dance-related podcasts. I was inspired to explore this idea and I will try to look more outside of my practice to understand it better whilst developing my essay and diagram. 

 

 

 

 

Comments

  1. Shelley20 November 2020 at 06:55

    Hi Alys, really good post. I like how you've been inspired to go explore your practice outside of your normal bubble, even with the essay and diagram looming. Amazing! I think I might have been one of the people who mentioned talking to family as a method of reflecting on practice. I personally found that really helpful and eye opening. And like you say, our practice isn't one shape, it's always changing. For example I only just started listening to a new podcast a few weeks ago and it really helped me when thinking about practice and the industy!

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    Replies
    1. Alys Davies21 November 2020 at 04:12

      Hi Shelley,
      Thank you! Yes I can't believe I never thought of trying to gain a more external view of my practice by talking to other people within my circle. I'm also enjoying looking for new perspectives on the industry in the form of podcasts etc

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