A device for creating movements, scores, choreography and dance classes of variable lengths.

The tools system is a collection of instruments for dancers and choreographers. It is not a style or technique. It is based on the idea that dancing starts with thinking, but that dancing does not necessarily stop, when thinking ceases. It uses the ability of the body/mind to coordinate multiple tasks at high speed and its magnificient capacity  to make pragmatic decisions and to find -often surpringly interesting- solutions in case of distress and (over-) challenge. The system requires precise thinking. It trains the mind, not just the body. It teaches how to manipulate perception and mental processes in order to create genuine movement and choreography.

The system is organized in 5 categories: time / space / body / duo / group. Each category collects a multitide of themes who provide exercises and tasks for creative movement. The system is in permanent evolution and never complete.

So far the tool box contains

tools for SPACE:

levels / horizontal-vertical / straight line and curve / round-square / symmetric-asymmetric/ contact-no contact / surface / inner space-outer space / manipulation of space / transport of space / writing / painting / designing / copying / matching / mapping / transposing / the Laban cube / nine point system restricted areas / hierarchies / power situations / supporting-destroying / touching- receiving / gravity & weight / non- motivated movement / invisible space / address & moving address

tools for TIME:

echo / resonance / repetition / accumulation / rhythm / off-beat / time frames / silence & pause / action-reaction / phrasing / skipping / video editing / anticipation-resistance / foreseeing / same time-shortly before-shortly after / decision and change of decision / memory

tools for the BODY

use of anatomic / eyes & focus / breath / muscles-bones / skin / head-spine-tail relations/ hair-no hair / organic structure / isolation / dissociation / weight/ spiral / exposing sensations / enhancing body parts / exchanging body parts / reorganizing the inner body / comfort-discomfort / styles & techniques / quotidian – non quotidian / symmetric – asymmetric body / principle of “one” / evolution / sculpture / hierarchies in the body / one-many / temperature / pressure / friction

tools for PARTNERING

guiding-following / rolling / sliding / weight-counterweight / supporting a designer / skin communication / surprising weight / lines & avoiding lines / contact-no contact / matching in two / small surface-big surface / space manipulation in two

tools for GROUPS

Solo & support / accumulation / lines / clusters / loops / phrase & variation / protagonist & group / Supporter & group / connector & group /catalyst& group / time copying / proliferation / waves / centre of activity / multiple time frames / forward-rewind

Technical Needs: The tools can be taught as a dance class or workshop of any length, in a dance studio or similiar space.