On Being Available. Conversations with Silvia Călin

Dancing connects body and mind as an indestructible unit within specific space and time. Traditional folk dances and modern performances share sensorial and cognitive tools for bodily exploration. In an interview, a contemporary dancer and choreographer and an ethnologist discuss self-perception and connection with other dancers; fixed structures, creativity, and improvisation; movement, exertion, breathing, and altered states of consciousness, including ecstatic ritual dances; and objectification of one's own body.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This interview focuses on the act of dancing as a corporeal experience that connects body and mind as part of an indestructible unit deployed in specific spatial and temporal arenas. In this respect, traditional folk dances and dancers share with modern performers and dance performances a corpus of sensorial and cognitive tools for bodily exploration. The dialogue is between Silvia Călin, a contemporary dancer and choreographer, and Laura Jiga Iliescu, an ethnologist. The issues explored during the interview are concerned with self-perception and connection with other dancers performing in the same arena; fixed structures, creativity and improvisation; movements, exertion, breathing and altered states of consciousness (with comments on ecstatic ritual dances); objectification towards one’s own body; and related topics.