Research Projects
Choreography as Nature Interpretation
An interdisciplinary research project at the intersection of choreography, educational leadership and nature interpretation.
The project examines choreography as nature interpretation, theoretically and practically. The study contributes knowledge to the field of choreography by further nuancing and broadening the understanding of the concept in its expanded sense and as an application of knowledge in/about/through choreography in contexts outside the stage. It further contributes to filling a knowledge gap about nature interpretation in general, choreography as nature interpretation more specifically, and in a broader sense to bridge the gap between humans and other life on earth. The study is conducted with an A/R/Tographic approach that includes interviews and observations of others' choreographic projects as nature interpretation, development of an own proposal, performance lecture and exposition on Research Catalogue.
Aim and research questions
The study is interdisciplinary and is conducted at the intersection of the disciplines of choreography, educational leadership and nature interpretation. Based on an understanding of choreography as nature interpretation, the purpose of the research project is to make visible and articulate choreographic practices that contribute to learning in/about environmental issues and commitment to climate change. The aim is to contribute to knowledge about choreography as nature interpretation - to conceptualize the artistic practice and explore how leadership for learning in/about environmental and climate issues can take place.
Overall research question:
- How can choreography as nature interpretation take shape?
Questions to research with:
- How is learning enabled through choreography as nature interpretation?
- How do didactic and artistic choices enable and shape choreography as nature interpreptation?
- In choreography as nature interpretation, how does leadership for learning in/about climate and environmental issues take place?
Research implementation and anticipated impact
The study places itself in a performative research paradigm by adopting A/R/Tography as a research methodology. The purpose is operationalized through interviews about and observations of choreographic projects that can be understood as nature interpretation, and development of a choreographic proposal. These parts are processed in dialog with relevant theoretical perspectives.
By further nuancing the understanding of the concept (Ingvartssen 2016; Ölme 2017; Østern, Flønes, Reppen, Simonson & Joten forthcoming), the study contributes to knowledge development in the field of choreography. It contributes to research on educational leadership as it covers “the conditions and prerequisites for learning at different stages of life and in different contexts” (Fransson & Lundgren 2003, translated with deepl.com). Furthermore, it involves development of nature interpretation through making choreographic practices that can be understood as nature interpretation visible, and thus nuance it in both practice and theory.
The study aims to help bridge the separation between human and more-than-human life (Ingvartssen 2016). Choreography as nature interpretation can support “the development of participants’ own relationship with nature ... [and] influence the participant's attitudes and/or behaviors.” (SLU Center for Nature Guidance 2022, translated with deepl.com) but the importance of the study lies in the nuancing and critical examination of such practices.
Collaboration
Collaboration through knowledge exchange and networking takes place with researcher Jasmine Zhang, PhD and researcher at the Center for Nature Interpretation at the Department of Urban and Rural Development, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.
Collaboration also takes place with the dance collective Arkeolog 8, which participates in the development of the choreographic proposal that the study will result in.
Research funding
Stockholm University of the Arts
Principal Supervisor
Rebecca Hilton
Schedule
2024
September: start-up and detailed project plan
October: research overview
November: interviews and/or observations
(December: Parental leave)
2025
(January - August: parental leave)
September: processing of interviews and observations
October - December: work on own artistic proposal
2026
January: work-in-progress screening
February - April: continued work on own artistic proposal
May: presentation of own artistic proposal
(June - July: break)
August - September: work on exposition
October: publication of exposition
(November - December: break)
2027
January: presentation performance lecture.
