Minutes for the Motif Core Working Group meeting, November 8, 2004

Submitted by Charlotte Wile - August 22, 2012

The videos and summaries below document the "Motif Core Working Group" meeting held at the Dance Notation Bureau in New York City on November 8, 2004. The summaries were written by Charlotte Wile.

This was the second of four meetings sponsored by the DNB, LIMS, and LODC in 2004-2005. The first meeting, held on October 29, 2004, is documented here. Minutes for the third and fourth meetings will be posted on the Theory Bulletin Board in the future. Attendees included Motif Notation practitioners from various areas of the Laban community, including the DNB, LIMS, IMS, LODC, OSU, and independents. 

The purpose of the meetings was to identify and map similarities and differences in the practice of Motif Notation across the various communities.  Further information is included in the invitation to the meeting.

Items discussed in the Oct. 29 and Nov. 8 meetings were recorded on a chart [prepared by Ilene Fox?] which can be fond here.

Present at the meeting: Sandra Aberkalns, John Chanik, Tina Curran, Ilene Fox, Peggy Hackney, Jackie Hand, Mei-Chen Lu, Charlotte Wile.

 

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VIDEO 1

Summary of the issues discussed:

1.1  The meaning of a vertical straight line, e.g., any movement aspect (Effort, Shape,dynamics, direction, and actions such as flex, turn, etc. ) vs. any action (not Effort, Shape, or dynamics).

1.2  The use of a vertical straight line and linking bow to show duration.

1.3  Terminology: "action stroke," "do something" "something happens."

1.4  Should the duration of flexion/extension be indicated with a line that touches the flextion/extension sign or with a line and linking bow?

1.5  Stillness sign: "outflow," "inflow," "ongoing energy."

1.6  The meaning of a hold sign (maintain) vs. the stillness sign.

1.7  The "V" in the stillness sign vs. a succession sign or a decreasing (cancellation) sign.

1.8   Indications 1a - 1j.

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VIDEO 2

Summary of the issues discussed:

 2.1   What criteria should be used for developing Motif Notation?

2.2    Increasing/decreasing vs. successive.

2.3   The need for symbols that depict succession and simultaneous.

2.4    The influence of applications on the development of Motif Notation.

2.5   Flexion/extension:  degrees; motion and destination.

2.6   Terms: "small/very small  amount of flexion," "slight/marked flexion" "a little/lot of flexion."

2.7  "Center", "place middle."

2.8   Should the interpretation of symbols by default depend upon the context of the notation?

2.9   Indications 2a -2k.

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VIDEO 3

Summary of the issues discussed:

3.1   The interpretation of direction signs: e.g., place middle and forward middle.

3.2   Destination vs. motion (progression) for direction symbols.

3.3   Determining directions in non-standing positions (e.g., sitting, kneeling, and lying down).

3.4   Any direction. Any direction on the vertical line of gravity.

3.5   Carl Wolz's signs for any direction in a given dimension or given plane.

3.6   Unspecified weight transference; weight transference on non adjacent body parts; stepping; rolling, slidding support.

3.7   Specific stepping indications, e.g., right foot, both feet, either foot.

3.8   Indications 3a-3w.

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VIDEO 4

Summary of the issues discussed:

4.1   Springs (aerial movement).

4.2   Aerial movement on the feet; aerial movement on any body part(s); aerial movement on non-feet parts.

4.3   The derivation of the basic aerial movement indication.

4.4   An action that finishes supporting on a specific body part.

4.5    Indications 4a-4h.