Calligraphic Dancer | The Footwork Challenge

The Footwork Challenge - Calligraphic Dancer Project (C.D.P.)
Process is a lovely creature and must be given freedom to explore. 

Today my first challenge approached me while choreographing my dance language to Hossam Ramzy's version of Enta Omri. While dancing and envisioning the calligraphic characters, my body only wanted to do footwork and no other movement. I had forgotten the world of foot work when I "completed" my "alphabet!" (How silly!) I thought I was good-to-go to arrange the choreography - plus I was under the impression that because I must give the dancer the freedom of their personality, arms and feet placement would be to their discretion - so no foot work needed. But to my happy surprise, I discovered a new character just calling to be conjured!

So what would signify foot work in place? No traveling. I already have travel characters... And what if later I need to add a move on top of that footwork? What would it look like?
Here's the outcome after a few trials....

Foot work

Process is a lovely creature and must be given freedom to explore. Just because one thinks they have something fortified, there will always be something else knocking at the door. Be curious and take a peak. Let it flow and be natural. As creative minds, these types of challenges should be welcomed and worked with.

Foot work with a Figure 8

Calligraphic Dancer | Categories of Characters

Since my last post about my Calligraphic Dancer Project, Beginnings, I've made slow but nice progress and I'm excited! 

So far I have a list on types or categories of characters, almost like an alphabet. They would be interpreted by the dancer through his or her own style, but would, of course, have to learn the "alphabet" before taking on a series of characters or choreography. Arms and feet placement would be determined by the dancer and you will see that there is no direction in my notes for that. It's a sort of "loop hole" that I want to leave free for the interpreter. 

Categories of Characters:

1. Hip Circles
2. Hip Drops
3. Accents (pops, locks, turn of the head, basically a small and sharp movement)
4. Undulations
5. Figure eights
6. Shimmies
7. Shoulder circles
8. Snake arms
9. Turns
10. Travel movements
11. Stops

This list will continue being tweaked and experimented with. Take a peak at the two examples below....

Hip Drops

Variations of Undulations - still experimenting

More to come...!