Dancer's <freedom> in M. Cunningham's Dances

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Other Title
  • M・カニングハムの舞踊における演者の自由性について
  • M カニングハム ノ ブヨウ ニ オケル エンシャ ノ ジユウセイ ニ ツイテ

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Abstract

The present paper examines Merce Cunningham's idea about freedom of a performer which has not been delved into so far despite its importance by means of his idea about ego as a clue. The freedom that he hoped a performer to attain is that a dancer becomes independent mentally and faces himself and reaches the state of mind of 'No-mind' which is true freedom by overcoming ego. Cunningham is considered to attempt to discipline the body and mind of a performer in order to attain the ideal state of mind of 'No-mind' at all the scenes of his practical activity by setting an environment where a performer has to concentrate his mind on his movement, in particular, on two elements : each shape of the movement and energy that serves as a basis. It has become clear that Cunningham's concept of freedom does not stay only within the scope of negative concepts that usual "freedom" and "liberty" indicate (as 'free from&acd;') but also connotes a creative and positive meaning that is indicated by Zen word "Jiyuu" (as 'free to&acd;').

Journal

  • Aesthetics

    Aesthetics 51 (4), 49-59, 2001

    The Japanese Society for Aesthetics

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