PhD position Dance Analysis and Notation Project (based on Fase of Rosas)
Open call for PhD Candidate for Dance Analysis and Notation Project
As part of the FWO-funded research project ’Capturing Dance Movements, Intensities and Embodied Experiences : Research into New Possibilities of Digital Media for Dance Analysis and Notation based on Fase (1982) by Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker and ROSAS’, Ghent University’s dept. of Art, Music and Theatre Studies is looking for a PhD candidate.
Project description
Dance notation – the symbolic representation of (dance) movement – aims at overcoming the ephemeral nature of dance by translating choreographies, dance forms or technical exercises into signs written on two-dimensional paper. In translating dance movements into signs, important information about dance experience and embodied expression tend to be lost. MoCap (Motion Capture) is a movement retrieval technology that articulates the interaction between basic gestures and music patterns. The potential of digital media with regard to innovative dance notation systems is clear ; MoCap technology captures basic gestures in a body-centred and 3D manner, which, in an extended version, is far more effective in registering dance movements, dance experience and embodied expression than text-based dance notation systems and 2D video registrations. This research project aims at finding new opportunities and possibilities of digital media for dance analysis and notation based on Fase - Four Movements to the Music of Steve Reich (1982) by the Flemish choreographer Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker and her dance ensemble ROSAS.
The research questions that gear this research project are : How to move a non-textual body of dance-work into history, archive and repertoire ? In what way do digital media and technologies provide opportunities and possibilities for dance notation and analysis ? How to capture dance movements with respect for dance experience and embodied expression ? How to deal with the (digital) traces of dance when one decides to re-vive a dance performance of the past ? Is there a way the ephemeral body of dance work can be rerun or reconstructed ?
Job description
The candidate is expected to conduct the research outlined above, publish in peer-reviewed journals and to write a PhD dissertation. The project is supervised by promoter prof. dr. Christel Stalpaert of the research centre S:PAM (Studies in Performing Arts & Media) with co-promoters prof. dr. Marc Leman of IPEM (Institute for Psychoacoustics and Electronic Music) and prof. dr. Katharina Pewny (S:PAM).
The offer consists of a fulltime, four-year PhD position, starting in 2012.
Profile
The candidate holds a Master’s degree, preferably with a focus on dance and music analysis, and can present excellent grades, prepared to do doctoral research in the field of dance archiving,
is prepared to learn recording with a MoCap system, co-learn annotation techniques using computer-based methods
is willing to cooperate in a multidisciplinary research team.
has excellent command of English, writing and communication skills.
Application
Applications include a letter of application, a detailed resume (CV), with outlined research affiliation and are addressed to Christel.Stalpaert @ UGent.be and David.Depestel @ UGent.be
Closing date for applications is 15 January 2012 ; interviews will be held in February 2012.
For more information on the project and vacancy, please contact Christel.Stalpaert @ UGent.be
See also : Department of Art, Music and Theatre Studies : www.kunstwetenschappen.ugent.beS:PAM:
www.theaterwetenschappen.ugent.be/researchIPEM: www.ipem.ugent.be
http://vti.be/nl/tools/vacatures/open-call-phd-candidate-dance-analysis-and-notation-project
