THE METHODS

TAKING A STAB AT PLANNING MY APPLICATION

Purpose

For designers to create spaces for the human body, rather than just creating solids and voids to be static and sit frozen, importance on the human needs to be placed. The body works with the space it occupies. It does not ignore the space it is in. If a designer creates space without even a hint of the human body in mind, it may run into the issue of ineffectiveness. If one should consider the idea of “being-in-the-world,” there would be no purpose of space if a human did not use it. It would not have an effective existence. It would just be (Heidegger, 79.) One could even suggest a collaboration of the human body, the human nature of curiosity, and space. For a space to truly fulfill its purpose, it will be used by a human. Humans use space for many things, but that does not always mean the human wants to be in that space. We as humans crave comfort and a sense of understanding wherever we go. Space is not “accidental” in the built world. It is made for a reason. It is a place of protection (Hertzberger, 15). This inquiry will work toward offering a way to develop and guide the explanation and purpose of collaboration of the human body and space through a unique lens of dance and architecture.

The How

The beginning works of developing a guide of collaboration, specifically between choreographers and designers in this instance, will begin through a historical study of two precedents, as mentioned before. Isamu Noguchi and Martha Graham will be one pair that will have a study focused on the experience and relationship created by the set design. Given the timeline in which the two were in constant collaboration, their stories will offer ample material on what an established relationship may provide in the design process. On the other hand, one specific collaboration between Frederic Flamand and Zaha Hadid will focus on bringing two well-established masters of different arts to create a compelling set design. Both Flamand and Hadid are well-known for creating end-resulting products that focus on the movement of the human body in space, although both see that idea from a different perspective.

The Steps

I. After extensive research on the two choreographer-architect duos, an organization of the information will occur to see overlaps, effectiveness, and non-effectiveness between them. In doing so, I will be able to see the benefits of collaboration between a choreographer and a designer in a set design scenario.

II. With the information of the two in consideration, a questionnaire will be created. This questionnaire will act as a way to gather information from dancers, specifically, on why or why not a space works for the movement of the body in dance. Hopefully, the goal would be to have the “space” be a set design that has not been created out of collaboration to receive the best results.

A guidebook may be created by taking the organization of information materials from the choreographer-architect duos in combination with the results and analysis. A guidebook for collaboration between two disciplines to develop an effective space for movement of the human body could then be utilized by choreographers, architects, other designers, and other disciplines.

Following the development of a guidebook, the next step would be to create a set for a dance performance by following the steps created. This would be accomplished through the collaboration with a choreographer.

The Action

While this seems like a daunting task to take on, I see it is possible through a strict schedule of research to application. A process of behind-the-scenes research would take place prior to my capstone semester in the spring of 2023 in order to accommodate these methods. You will see below a rough timeline of the method:

Fall 2022: In-depth research of two choreographer-architect duos will establish overlaps, effectiveness, and non-effectiveness. From there, a questionnaire will be created.

Spring 2023:

Week 1: Finalize Questionnaire

Week 2: Send to IRB

Week 3: Meet with Committee

Week 4: Begin development of Guidebook using Duo Information

Week 5: Development of Guidebook using Duo Information

Week 6: Rough Draft of Guidebook Duo Information Section

Week 7: Meet with Committee over Guidebook Duo Information Section

Week 8: Receive IRB permission and begin Questionnaire Process

Week 9: Questionnaire Data Collection and Organization

Week 10: Data Collection Analysis

Week 11: Meet with Committee

Week 12: Spring Break

Week 13: Implementation of Data Collection Analysis

Week 14: Implementation of Data Collection Analysis Completed

Week 15: Meet with Committee

Week 16: Finalize Guidebook

Week 17: Defend Capstone

References:

Heidegger, Martin, et al. Being and Time. Martino Fine Books, 2019.

Hertzberger, Herman. Space and the Architect: Lessons in Architecture 2. 010 Publishers, 2000.