When to use it?
It is recommendable to apply this practice when the group is tuned, and the participants feel comfortable with each other. A previous practice of body sensibilization and awareness might be a prerequisite for it.
How to do it?
Pairs are formed in which one person takes on the role of the “mover” and the other the role of the “soundmaker”.
The “mover” can have the eyes closed, or keep the gaze unfocused. The “soundmaker” is invited to produce sounds with the mouth, and to intentionally direct the soundwaves towards the “mover”. The “soundmaker” creates a sound environment to which the “mover” will be asked to respond to.
The “mover” follows the stimuli of the environment. S/he senses and responds to it.
The “soundmaker” perceives the responses of the “mover” and is letting those responses affect the sound-making. They enter in a dialogue.
It’s not about making a song, nor dancing for the other. Instead the focus is on producing rhythms and space as well as on listening and responding.
Different sounds have different densities, move in different directions, cross the space in different velocities and produce different qualities of (body)space.
Before starting making the sounds or making the movements, be aware that rhythms and movements are always already present (e.g. through breathing, the movement of others, feelings, etc).
The practice begins and ends with the sound of a singing bowl (or similar) played by the facilitator. Each round has 8 minutes, then the roles can change.
Variations & extensions
If the group has more previous experience with activities of this kind, it can also be done with two simultaneous “soundmakers” and/ or two “movers”. In this case, “soundmakers” are demanded even more sensitivity to listen and respond to each other and the “movers”.
The “movers” may enter in physical contact, thus complexifying their environments and the responses to it.
Combine with
Letting in / reaching outwards / bordering
Sources
The idea for this practice comes from a workshop by the artist and choreographer Tino Sehgal, in which I participated in 2016 in Vienna. One of his artworks has a similar setting, where a person or two are making sounds and one or two moving to it. The instructions presented here, however, differ in terms of emphases and intention.