When most people think of their various movements throughout the day, it is probably safe to say they don't associate them with geometric forms.
UNM dance professor Bill Evans does, and so do his students who subscribe to the dance theory of Laban movement analysis - human movement in relation to space harmony, dimensions, planes and geomantic forms.
Tonight and tomorrow, these graduate and upper-level dance students, led by Evans, will have a chance to show how this theory works.
"It's a way of looking at movement architecturally," Evans said. "Laban movement analysis gives us tools that can be applied to dance and any human movement really."
The seven pieces to be performed, though based on common geometry in their choreography, are quite unusual. A lyrical hip-hop piece, a modern dance piece done on a swing, yoga-inspired dance, a cross between belly and modern dance, multi-media dance, flamenco and a ballet piece will all grace the stage in Carlisle Gym.
"It's going to have tremendous variety," Evans said. "The performance is going to be an informal presentation of work in progress. These young chorographers are investigating Laban to give them new ideas about moving."
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He's been teaching the Laban theory for more than 20 years. Evans is more interested in teaching Laban movement as a new method to generate choreography ideas than in teaching it as a theory of moments that has to be perfected.
"My focus as their professor is not to encourage them to have perfect pieces, but encourage them to explore the process." Evans said. "I love the fact that they each took it in such a unique direction. The life of a student should be about exploration rather than production."
In order to choreograph these pieces, each student constructed a three-dimensional figure of the shape that their work would imitate. Evans said that the theories the students learned about choreographing Laban would carry on into all of their other dance choreography.
"These are tools with which we can study any dance form so it definitely overlaps," he said.
This course aids students in making the overlap as the first half of the semester is dedicated to understanding Laban, and the second is a chance to be self directed and use the applications in whatever way the student chooses. The students spent a lot of time bouncing ideas off of one another and critiquing each other's work.
"It's been really interesting to see how each one of the chorographers have taken on the creative process," Evans said.
Beyond the dance performances, Elizabeth Anderson will be presenting her video research project on movement analysis as it applies to motion outside of the dance world. Anderson interviewed people to see how they relate to their space, and she will share her findings after the performances.
How does one fully embrace this show of dance, video and multi-media which all are testament to how movement mimics shapes? Evans said audience members should "have an open mind and be open to new experiences."
The What, When and Where
What: Experiments in Space
When: Today and tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.
Price: Free
Where: Carlisle Gym
Tickets and info: 277-3660
