On the Technological Conditions of the Representation of Movement: Dance Notation Systems & Annotation Practices as Gestures

Abstract

This thesis critically compares dance notation systems and annotation practices, explaining why we might want to look more closely at their technological conditions and how we may do so by drawing from media theory. Accordingly, this thesis is concerned with the different methods of notation and annotation practices as well as with their effect on the ways we think about movement. Asking what the main differences are based on, it investigates the impact that technological conditions have on the representation of movement. Specifically, this thesis approaches dance notation and annotation practices as gestures–gestures that promptly shape modes of thinking. By addressing Vilém Flusser and Nicolas Salazar Sutil’s theories, this thesis proposes that notation systems be critically examined according to their medium specificity and, consequently, the material conditions of movement representation they provide. For the scope of this examination, this thesis develops a conceptualisation of the notating and annotating action as the gestures of notating and annotating.

By examining the gestures of notating and annotating this thesis firstly demonstrates how the technological mediation of movement, depending on its materialisation through alphabetic or post-alphabetic signs, affects movement representation. Then, it discusses how the technological conditions of the representation of movement affect movement interpretation processes and the understanding of the temporality of movement. To this end, the case studies employed in this thesis demonstrate the diverse structures and intentions of notation and annotation processes and provide the ground for an examination of different gestures and their modes of thinking. The examination of the gesture of notating is performed by addressing four traditional dance notation systems, namely: the Renaissance Tablature Letter Systems, the Beauchamp-Feuillet, the Stepanov, and Labanotation. Finally, the gesture of annotating is explored by analysing three case studies of annotation practices, namely, Mediathread, RAM, and Piecemaker.