DMA Final Reflection!!!!!!!

At the beginning of the year, DMA appeared disconnected from the rest of my artistic training. As the classes moved forward, I began to recognize the common factors between DMA and my dance classes. Now, at the end of the semester, I can see how new media is essential for the construction of a dance portfolio and special projects. Ultimately, the goal of DMA and all other classes is to help me become a better artist. All of my class objectives fit under this banner.

DMA and Comp are both about the process of creating a work. For example, in comp we are typically given an assignment and spend time, brainstorming, drafting and revising our pieces. The same thing applies to DMA. Both share that first you create something, you analyze it, you tweek it to your liking, and then you have a finished product. Both classes find inspiration from things going on in the world. Dancers often find inspiration from things going on around them, especially things in society. It’s where a lot of the pioneers of dance got their goals for their techniques. DMA also utilizes this concept with the emphasis on blogs, Facebook and websites that offer unique perspectives on current events and ideas that may trigger a need to create.

Additionally, there are also many connections between Dance Perspectives Technique, Comp and DMA. All increase your awareness of self, society, and art. Dance Perspectives helps you brush up on your history. The way that affects me is that if I don’t know where I came from then I don’t know where I can go. As far as society, I feel it is important as an artist to be aware of what’s going on around the art and me. As far as DMA, same thing applies. DMA teaches us the evolution of digital media and how it can be incorporated into our life and art. DMA and Dance perspectives both provide an artist with a deeper appreciation and understanding for the two. I feel like once you experience something and understand the process; it’s easier to appreciate it more. That’s definitely how I feel about DMA. In dance, it wasn’t until I got to college that I truly appreciated what I had been training for my entire life. They both have affected my artistry tremendously. Dance Perspectives helps a dancer understand the historical importance and link between techniques, movements, works and which the time period in which they were created. Martha Graham is the mother of modern dance, without her it could not exist. Because of the boundaries she pushed and the issues she presented to the world is the reason for composition. The historical perspectives provided make it more comfortable for someone like me to choreograph about something I feel is important. Furthermore, Dance Perspectives and Technique both utilize the theory of practice. Without those who came before us creating these methods, not only would we not have them but, we would not know how to apply them. It is important that we link the foundation back to the technique.

Technique cultivates your personal style and interpretation. In Technique class, I often find myself using this to my advantage. We are constantly focusing on placement and moving within our body range. Once a dancer figures out what their body can do and what their range is, it’s interesting to play with how you want to dress up the movement that is given to you. Likewise, in DMA often when an assignment is given typically if its given within our art most dancers will create a dance, most film students will create a short film, drama a short skit…you name it…but me, I would so chose to do a video because that’s usually how I choose to portray the assignment. These two both reveal a consistent commitment to cultivating ones personal style and interpretation.

DMA, Comp and Technique also both help artists to create a solid foundation for learning. All have basic skills given as a common base that can be used as creatively as anyone could dream of.  In dance, with a good foundation, it’s easier to play with different ideas about how the body works. In DMA if you understand how to use all your tools you have more ways to choose from when it comes to how to interpret assignments when given. Comp is the outcome of technique. When in Technique you’re learning the pieces, the exercises and combinations, but in comp you’re streaming all the thoughts you like and personally choose to put together as a whole. Believe it or not it’s hard to have one without the other.

 The idea of pieces to a whole is the true purpose of a liberal arts education.  Reading, writing, speaking and thinking critically is the goal of any educational program. People think that all artists do is their art; but that is not true. We have to be able to present our work and ourselves in many ways. This is why DMA is so important to an emerging artist. It introduces us to new platforms for self-expression and helps us articulate the relationships between our art and our world.