Body Integration: Full-Body Self-Portrait

 

I
 
Check In
 

 
II 

Unit: Re-integration 

Theme: Self-Portrait
 

Introduction
 
The self portrait ritual symbolizes the re-integration of all the different parts of self and one's story with renewed insight, vitality and visions for change. These ritual-performances, illustrated in the video below, are enacted with the group and teachers witnessing in the final week of the Tamalpa Level 1 training program.
 

III
 
Learning Objectives
 
  • Understand the meaning of the full-body self-portrait in the re-integration process
  •  Explain the importance of the metaphoric associations to body parts
  •  Gain an awareness of the relationship between "dancing images" and "personal metaphors"Experience the therapeutic benefits of the full-body self-portrait 
  • Experience the embodiment of awareness and personal metaphors


IV

Main Lesson

1

Video
 

Tamalpa Self Portrait Performance

  Full Body Self Portrait


Question 1

After seeing the process used by the dancer with her portrait in this video, write your reflection.

---------------------------
  
2
 
Dancing images from the body may arise from metaphoric association to body parts, areas and functions or directly from anatomical form, and sometimes these starting points are combined. Self-Portrait emphasizes areas and functions of the body related to emotional and metaphorical life themes (Hayes 63).

LINK:

Question 2

Read the statement above and explain it in your own words.

----------------------------- 
 
 3

 "Personal metaphors" about the body can be found in images that a person develops about her own body, like someone having ‘dirty hands,’ or someone feeling ‘mellow’ in the bones, or feeling the body as ‘permeable as a veil.’ These personal images can have a benign or a malign connotation, which obviously makes a difference in the use we make of them in a therapy situation (Samaritter 35).

LINK:
The use of metaphors in dance movement therapy by Rosemarie Samaritter
 
 

Question 3

Based on the two statements above; what is the relationship between "dancing images" and "personal metaphors?"
------------------------------------ 
 
V

A Note to Remember

Personal metaphors allow clients to inform movement expression that makes possible the re-integration of body parts into their emotional and metaphoric life themes.

 

VI

 Case Studies

 

Natalia Madej

 



TEXT

Mixed-Media Self-Portraits 

Coulacos Prato, C. (2013). Therapeutic Self-Portraits Linda Edkins Wyatt. Its All About You: The Importance of the Artist's Self-Portrait. Mixed Media Self-Portraits: Inspiration and Techniques. F + W Media

 

Question 4

 

 Go to the link above. Click on Chapter 1 /  It is All About You: The Importance of the Artist's Self-portrait. Scroll down to subtitle "The Benefits of Creating Self-Portraits," and summarize the main ideas about self-portraiture expressed by the author.

 

 Sarahi Lay Trigo


 Dancing with My Other-Self

 

Question 5

In which way was dance/moevement therapy an important element in Sarahi's healing process?

 

VII

 

ACTIVITIES

  Students who are making up, follow the process below, record and post your work on Discussion Board. 

1

One Step Further

Full-Body Self-Portrait: Embodying Awareness & Re-Integration

  1. Draw your own self-portrait 
  2. Describe in writing what you see in the portrait.
  3. Express in movement what you see.
  4. Go back to your drawing and add details that may have come to mind/body through your dance
  5. Describe what you see now.
  6. Go back to dance and express what you saw this time
  7. Write about it.
  8. Go back to dance and choose from your movement exploration, eight moves that represent your portrait. 
  9. Give it a title. What is it about. what metaphors did you discover? What is your life theme?
  10. Dance in front of your drawing your dance.  
  11. Write about it and post your reflection about the exercise, along with your self-portrait (a photograph of it will do) on our Discussion Board.
  12. Bring your portrait to our next class.

 

2

Sharing

Share your dance with a partner (witness).
Exchange feedback
Write about it.
Come back to the circle and share your portrait with the group.

Share your motif with the group and explain what it means (the groups repeats the movement).

Without words, share your motive and have the class repeat it with you.

Re-create the myth with the whole group and link everyone's message with the group's myth.
Summarize your whole experience on Discussion Board

 

 VIII

Journaling

 

IX

Glossary

 dancing images

personal metaphors

X

Sources

 

XI

Students' Work 
 
 

Molly Brady
Makeup Questions/Notes

1) This activity is very expressive. It is interesting to see how she moves with the painting and the actions and directions she uses. She uses a lot of the physical space in the room just like the painting uses a lot of the space on the canvas.

2) To me, this statement means that physical art, what you paint/draw/visually see, is a direct reflection of what you feel as well as a combination of your senses and their impact on your mind and body. 

3) Again, the relationship between "dancing images" and "personal metaphors" is their reflection of one another through the art form. Often, dancing images expose personal metaphors. The activity of turning personal metaphors into dancing images is very explorative and mindful.

4) To study their craft and explore/express themselves. Allows you to portray yourself as you wish to be seen. An invitation to connect with the artist on a deeper level giving others the opportunity to peer inside and observe hidden and full view aspects. Self-portraits offer a "ready-made" model to experiment with artistically and physically. 


 
Amanda Ayres
Amanda Ayres Makeup Class 2/19


Q1 After seeing the process used by the dancer with her portrait in this video, write your reflection

  • I thought the video was very interesting. I haven’t seen this type of dance and art combination. It made me think about how like music, visual art can be used to complement a dance and be a central component. It The self portrait symbolizes the re-integration of all the different parts of self and one's story with renewed insight. 


Q2 Read the statement above and explain it in your own words.


  • The statement suggests that the way we create and interpret images related to dance can be deeply connected to the human body, not just in its physical form but also in what it symbolizes or represents emotionally and metaphorically. The reference to "Self-Portrait" suggests an artwork that particularly focuses on highlighting the parts and functions of the body that are connected to emotional and metaphorical themes in life.


Q3 Based on the two statements above; what is the relationship between "dancing images" and "personal metaphors?"

  • The relationship shows a connection between the physical expression of dance and the individual's internal, metaphorical perceptions of their body. "Dancing images,"  emerge from both the literal anatomical structure and the emotional or metaphorical associations that reflect deeper, personal, significances. Dance serves as both a mirror and a method for exploring and altering the metaphorical perceptions individuals hold about their bodies.



Q4 Go to the link above. Click on Chapter 1 /  It is All About You: The Importance of the Artist's Self-portrait. Scroll down to subtitle "The Benefits of Creating Self-Portraits," and summarize the main ideas about self-portraiture expressed by the author.

  • Self portraits are beneficial to express oneself, without boundaries. Artists use it to portray themselves as they want to be perceived. 
  • It can highlight unconscious beliefs and look at oneself through a deeper lens. 

 

 


Ayca Erturk
02/19 Question Responses Ayca Erturk
  1. Connecting with the painting before starting to move became symbolic and it almost looked like the dancer was going through different parts of life. Somehow I could see the dancer’s integration of senses, emotions and self-awareness.
  2. Some types of movements may come from intangible sources within our mind, some may have physical roots, and sometimes these types would intertwine. Self portrait speaks to more so the movements that come from the mind and inner self. 
  3. I think, the relationship between the two concepts lies in the fact that both involve the symbolic representation of the body. While "dancing images" focuses on expression and metaphorical associations related to the body, "personal metaphors" delve into individualized interpretations and representations. 
  4. Dividing the body to geometric shapes, human body does snot have straight or harsh lines, although all bodies are different while drawing one should think about the body parts in relation to each other. Also she starts to add “volume” after she gets the overall geometry. 

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