2015, Vol.53, No.2

The Korean Journal of Dance Studies 2023 KCI Impact Factor : 0.93

pISSN : 1226-900X / eISSN : 2713-9468
https://journal.kci.go.kr/krsds

This study investigates the roles of language in dance studies in general and in practice as/based/led research(PaR) in particular. This investigation illuminates discordance between commensurability of knowledge, upon which the academic communication is constructed, and particularity of dance experience, which is often said to be ineffable. Although traditional representational modes of modern academic communication have relied on writing, printing, and publication, dance writings around PaR seek alternative passages for communication. Three dance writings around PaR exemplify how various and conflicting conceptions of writing, language, and knowledge meet and negotiate the position of advantage. The three dance writings incorporate verbalization, measurement, visualization, or hypermedia documentation to represent dance knowledge. Suggesting that the representational medium affects the kinds of knowledge that can be communicated and commensurate, this study pays attention to the ways dance knowledge is represented and communicated. Consequently, this study excavates the epistemological grounds of academic communication of dance knowledge.

Focusing on the student demonstrations of 1968 in U.S., this study investigates the political meaning of Grand Union’s activities and works. A political analysis on the various experimental attempts and changes in dance and their significance offers an important basis of interpretation. That is why this study connects Grand Union’s works with events with a focus on sociopolitical context. Political implications will also be focused on, because although postmodern dance is of the past, it still has significance to the present.

What does “world dance” mean? Is traditional dance that has been transformed into new dance forms still valuable as world dance or does it lose its authenticity? This study takes critical approach to the subject matter and investigates the different versions of “world dance” definitions by examining literatures. It is found that the term world dance often includes an examination of such complex issues as culture and diversity, accompanying the issues of racism and equality. However, the fundamental argument in regards to the terms of “global dance,” “world dance”, and “multiculturalism” is thateducators need to see global societies with local eyes. Rather than celebrating a homogenized culture and perspective, dancers and dance educators should find a way to serve profusion of individuals' voices and at the same time to bridge the gap between the students’ cultural boundaries.