Virtual PowersVirtual Powers & & The Magic CircleThe Magic Circle

by Susanne Langer by Susanne Langer

Prepared by Dr. Kay PicartPrepared by Dr. Kay Picart

Edited by Jessica LabbEdited by Jessica Labbé and Dr. Kay Picarté and Dr. Kay Picart

Review Question:Review Question:

How does Langer define How does Langer define what the “fantastically what the “fantastically diverse theories” of diverse theories” of dance are?dance are?

Review Questions:Review Questions:

How does movement How does movement convey meaning?convey meaning?

What is the difference What is the difference between a natural and a between a natural and a virtual gesture?virtual gesture?

Review Question:Review Question:

What is meant by the What is meant by the word ‘virtual’?word ‘virtual’?

Review Question:Review Question:

According to Langer, According to Langer, when is movement when is movement merely movement, and merely movement, and when is it an artistic when is it an artistic expression?expression?

Review Question:Review Question:

What makes a dance a What makes a dance a work of art?work of art?

Discussion Questions:Discussion Questions:

Do you agree with the common doctrine that Do you agree with the common doctrine that “an artist gives us insight into actualities, [and] “an artist gives us insight into actualities, [and] penetrates to the nature of individual penetrates to the nature of individual things…”? (34)things…”? (34)

Moreover, is it inappropriate to assume, as Moreover, is it inappropriate to assume, as Langer suggests, that self-expression is related Langer suggests, that self-expression is related to dance expression or that they are one and to dance expression or that they are one and the same?the same?

Review Question:Review Question:

How is the self How is the self expressed in Modern expressed in Modern Dance?Dance?

Martha Graham

Review Question:Review Question:

For what purposes were For what purposes were ancient dances ancient dances originally intended?originally intended?

What part did Divine What part did Divine Powers play in the Powers play in the dances?dances?

Indian Dance—Jatayuvadham Koodiyattam www.cyberkerala.com/koodiyattam/jatayuvadham7.htm

Review Question:Review Question: How does Langer claim the first recognition of ““Powers”—How does Langer claim the first recognition of ““Powers”—

divine or semidivine Beings” (38) was made in ancient divine or semidivine Beings” (38) was made in ancient culture?culture?

Indian Dance—Soorpanakhangam Koodiyattam http://www.cyberkerala.com/koodiyattam/koodiy6.htm

Discussion Question:Discussion Question:

Langer believes that dancing is considered the Langer believes that dancing is considered the most serious intellectual part of savage life, most serious intellectual part of savage life, going beyond one’s animal existence. (38)going beyond one’s animal existence. (38)

Do you agree that dance is the “human spirit’s Do you agree that dance is the “human spirit’s participation” (39) in the greater forces of the participation” (39) in the greater forces of the world? If dance isn’t, what is?world? If dance isn’t, what is?

Review Question:Review Question:

What is the What is the ReigenReigen??

Review Question:Review Question:

Can dancing have Can dancing have magical effects? If so, magical effects? If so, how?how?

Discussion QuestionDiscussion Question

Why do people continue dancing without the motives Why do people continue dancing without the motives of worship or magic making? of worship or magic making?

Possible Answers:Possible Answers:

Because people have held onto the image of PowersBecause people have held onto the image of Powers

To those with a “mythic consciousness,” it presents a To those with a “mythic consciousness,” it presents a reality reality

To the secular mind, it presents a romantic world To the secular mind, it presents a romantic world

To the psychologist it presents a dream worldTo the psychologist it presents a dream world

Concluding Quote:Concluding Quote:

Today, we know the Today, we know the Power that enchanted Power that enchanted ancient dancing sites ancient dancing sites was an illusion, and was an illusion, and dance with a completely dance with a completely artistic intent.artistic intent.

Alvin Ailey's Revelations

Concluding Question:Concluding Question:

Do you agree with this Do you agree with this remark? Why or why remark? Why or why not?not?