An investigation of displacement between artistic disciplines
Artistic Research Project (KUV) by Associate Professor Henrik Knarborg (RAMA), Assistant Professor Christian Windfeld (RAMA), Associate Professor Laura Navndrup Black (DDSKS) and Carolina Bäckman (Freelance choreographer and dancer)
Brief project description:
The project investigates and experiments with a new form of method exchange between the artistic disciplines of dance and music.
The cross-aesthetic development potential of the individual artistic discipline is explored through displacement, concepts of resonance, virtuosity, and sensibility.
Displacements between dance and percussion
The project originated from an immediate curiosity and a pilot project (Manus Obscurus) exploring how methods from another field – choreography and dance – can inspire artistic development in the encounter between two closely related subject areas – classical and rhythmic percussion. During this process, it became clear that rather than simply letting the choreographic view stage the existing practice, the choreographic approach can displace existing practice: displacement.
In this way, a special practical-reflective space is created, where the individual artist and performer remains within their own field of expertise, while radically different approaches to artistic processes and works can emerge. We investigate this principle of displacement further in this artistic research project; from dance to music and music to dance.
Bodily resonance and interdisciplinary quality
Purpose: To investigate subtle tonal and bodily nuances through an interdisciplinary collaboration between dancers and percussionists.
Method: Exchange of concrete exercises, framed improvisations based on keywords, sharing reflections through DokuRefleksion and interviews, as well as joint debate and exchange of experience.
Goal: To create an expanded framework of understanding for quality and uncover untapped potentials in the intersection between body, expression, and instrument.
The expanded concept of resonance
Theoretical framework: The project incorporates, among others, sociologist Hartmut Rosa’s theories on social acceleration, where the high pace of society is counteracted by “resonance”.
Practical connection: The acoustic phenomenon is expanded to bodily resonance – a harmony and amplification between the inner feeling of the body and the outer expression (sound/movement).
Strategic approach: Through a series of retreats, deliberate immersion and “spaces of resonance” are created. This counteracts society’s pressure for constant innovation and forms the basis for new artistic connections.
Retreats and field trip
Focused retreats were held throughout the project period in Aarhus, on the Danish west coast, in Odsherred, and on Bornholm respectively.
In the spring of 2025, the project group visited the “Society of Artistic Research” (SAR) conference in Porto, where this year’s theme was “Resonance”.
Example of method development
The format DokuRefleksion was developed and refined during the project period as a central tool to extract, capture, share, and develop key points in the investigation.
The essence of the method:
1:Each participant writes their reflections on the just completed retreat
2: One responds to the reflection with a poem
3:Another adds an illustration
4:A third gives it all a title
5:The document is re-read and discussed at the next gathering
Illustration: uddrag af DokuRefleksion
See a poster from a workshop here.
Results and sharing
Working methods, exercises, and insights from the project have manifested themselves in principal instrument teaching for drums and percussion in the rhythmic and classical departments, as well as in the supervision of BA and MA projects across all departments.
The elective course “The Bodily Performative Space” at RAMA actualizes and continuously tests an integration of bodily awareness, the importance of which was clarified through the project.