Reflections on BMC practice

Reflections from BMC reading: Andrea Olsen, 'Body and Earth'

The use of touch in BMC practice...

To know through touch... is to understand better... the ways in which lines of communication between human beings and all other forms of organic and inorganic life can remain open if the currents that run through the hand are encouraged to flow.
Michael Brenson, 'Memory of the Hand', Sculpture Magazine


The sensorial information we recieve through touch allows us to orientate ourselves to our outward, external environment as well as our inward, internal world.

I think it is important to remember that the thickness of our skin varies over different parts of the body.
'The skin of an adult's body weighs about eight pounds, with a thickness varying from a few epithelial cells on the eyelids or behind the ears to ten or more touch layers on the soles of our feet.'

'Our bodies are longing to move and to shake out excess tension - to tremble, stretch, or wriggle in discovery and recovery.'

This becomes the role and importance of BMC practice. Scirntific studies have conclusive evidence on the benefits of movement and touch through a child's development. It is esssential to both physical and emotional health.

Skin is involved in many of the key processes that regulate our internal environment. 'In its living, breathing exchange with the environment, skin informs our concept of what exists outside and what exists inside the body, shaping our identity and our capacity for distinction of self and other.'

The Shoe Trees! Had a similar idea for my film module, using my old walking boots...

Film Module progress

I have been home to collect some of the objects and possessions I took with me to places like Peru, Scotland and Berlin.

These items are important to me. They carry memories. They carry a spark, a reminder of what it was like to travel; who I met along the way; the sights that I saw; what challenges I faced and what I accomplished.

Moving from the memory of these objects as well as photographs makes this investigation a very personal and emotional process. Spring 2012 Timisoara, Romania

Theme for FMP

Travelling

         Journey

                  Adventure

                            Exploration

                  Nomadic
   
         Drifting

Roving

        Wandering

                  Roaming
     
                          Voyage

                  Expedition

         Excursion

Quest

        Venture


For my FMP I want to focus on the theme of travelling and adventure.

What drives us to seek out adventure?

The awe-inspiring power of the natural landscape and it's beautiful ability to return the mind to a state of peace and tranquility.

Ideas for Locations: Woodland, Coast, Moorland, Mountain-side, Parkland, River-side, Lake-side...

Could this also include the people I meet along the way? Some say it is the people you meet when travelling who make it an adventure.


Their are also a number of parallels to be drawn between a journey through the landscape and a journey you make when dancing and creating. Finding new pathways. Discovering new interests.

Ideas and Inspirations for film piece