2/9/2026 - Week 5 / Meeting 8: The Movement / Aesthetic Response

 

 

Unit: The Movement

Theme: Aesthetic Response

 

I

Introduction

The aesthetic response is based on an exercise I experienced at the European Graduate School. The dancer places him/herself in front of the art piece to embody the qualities of the piece and give it voice. In our class we will do the same to generate movement. The response will allow the dancer to find ways to express the voice of the art piece in dance.

II 

Learning Objectives

 

• Understand the aesthetic response process.
  
• Explain the sensations generated as a result of the work
• Gain awareness of the use of art to generate movement vocabulary
  
• Experience solo improv when responding to the piece
  
• Reflect on the creative process at the end of the process
  

 

III

 Main Lesson

1

Warm Up

Stretching

 Body Storming

Finding rhythm with each other ....

 2

 

Read the Article

Aesthetic Emotions: The Emotional Effect of Beauty 

Question 

2. After reading the  article, what is the point of art?

 

3

Read the Article

 

The Art of Becoming: How Group Improvisation Works

Raymond A. R. MacDonald and Graeme B. Wilson 

Chapter 1

(Page 2 - From the Edges to Mainstream)

 https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Art_of_Becoming/-QbcDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Art,+Music+and+Dance+Improvisation&printsec=frontcover

MacDonald, Raymond A. R. and Graeme B. Wilson (2020). The Art of Becoming: How Group Improvisation Works. Oxford University Press

 

 

IV

A Note to Remember

"Improvisation plays an important role in the earliest and most important bonding relationships of our lives" (MacDonald and Wilson 2020).

 

V

Case Study

Question

1. After watching the video, write your reflection.

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V

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 VI

 

 

Question

With which artist interviewed in the video above do you identify with the most? Explain why?

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VII

 

Activity

 Lowe Art Museum

 Go to the link

 https://www.lowe.miami.edu/

 

• Choose a painting that resonates with you
•  Go back to your painting 
• Observe it
• Dance its colors
• Dance its textures
• Dance its shapes 

*

• Is there a story?
• What is the story?

Exposition, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution

• Express it in movement & dance.
  

 *

• Imagine the painting could talk through you.
• What would it say?
• Express it in movement & dance.

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 Record the dance process and post it on Discussion Board. 

Post a picture of your chosen painting or art piece in general.

VIII

Glossary

 

IX

Journaling

 

X

Sources

 MacDonald, Raymond A. R. and Graeme B. Wilson (2020). The Art of Becoming: How Group Improvisation Works. Oxford University Press 

 

XI

Students' Work

 

  Noah Yi

1. What is the point of art? 

 - The article describes that the point of art isn't to be entertaining but rather to provoke emotion. It helps promote emotions that aren't faced on a day-to-day basis, such as wonder, discomfort, or even confusion. Art also creates a connection between the viewer and the performer. The arts' purpose is both emotional and psychological. 

2. After watching the video write your reflection 

-  After watching the video I was able to tell that they were using dance as a way to express their interpretation of art. Their movements resembled the perception they had and were able to express opinions through movement. 

3 . With which artist do I most identify with? 

- I most associate with Gillian Ayres Obe. Her painting was an abstract piece which allows the viewer to take whatever they want from it. It's not meant for a correct interpretation but is supposed to make the viewer feel an emotion. I associate with this because I think art should be up for the viewer to interpret what it means.