The Dojo of DRT: a place where pathways bloom

Author(s)

Angela Mayumi Nagai

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Artes
• Defense date: 2008-05-13

Examining board members

Graziela Rodrigues; Maria da Consolação Tavares; Cássia Navas Alves de Castro; Regina Polo Muller; Graciele Massoli Rodrigues

• Advisor: Graziela Rodrigues

Abstract

This is an investigation about the dojo, a laboratorial dance procedure that uses the method Dancer-Researcher-Performer (DRP), created by professor Graziela Rodrigues. The DRT method works to develop the body image of the dancer focusing on his originality, instead of mantaining and perpetuating an idealized body image. The DRP method was conceived in three axis: The "Body's Inventory", the "Cohabituate with the Source" and the "Construction of the Character". The "Body's Inventory" is the main subject of this research, the axis that prepares the dancer to experience the whole method. The dancer investigates his own corporal history and recognizes the psyche and emotional content contained in the body, allowing it to flow freely. This axis is worked inside the dojo, the laboratory of the DRP method. The dojo of DRP is a place where one explores the corporal memory. In the very begining, the dojo of DRP consists of a circle drawn on the floor with chalk, in which the dancer steps inside everyday, facing the images, sensations and emotions, recognizing and giving them movement in a constant application of self-observation of his body image development. In the second axis, the "Co habituate with the Source", the dancer expands his selfknowledge and his action by encountering the world through meeting people, participating in cultural and social manifestations and establishing a research relationship based on a genuine affability. In the third axis, the "Construction of the Character", the dancer makes an esthetic elaboration of his investigations, drawing attention in his body to the most significant aspects and giving birth to a unique personality or "character" which is the offspring of all his encounters with himself and with the other. The Dojo of DRT: a place where pathways bloom elucidates the functioning of the dojo during the "Body's Inventory" axis, making a corporal synthesis of the dancerresearcher in process. As a result, the creative flow was strengthened and the body image became more dynamic. (AU)