ECOKINETICS
We offer dance and climate justice residencies for colleges, universities, and community centers. The core of the offerings is ecokinetics, a new dance practice developed by Jody Sperling. Involving interdisciplinary ways of thinking and moving, ecokinetics focuses on cultivating a dynamic relationship between the moving body and ecological and social systems. It was conceived as a corollary to ecoacoustics, an environmental mode of music composition developed by Sperling’s long-time musical collaborator Matthew Burtner. Ecokinetics serves as a grounding concept and compositional method for Sperling’s choreography. It also serves as a toolkit that provides strategies for climate-engaged art-making including:
cultivating empathy
modeling interconnectedness
creating ritual experiences
allowing for transformative thought
building community
facilitating action
While ecokinetics is our emergent practice, we also acknowledge that indigenous/Native cultures have long-held traditions involving embodied and sustainable relationships between humans and the earth. Ecokinetics is a restorative response to the Colonialist mindset separating humanity from nature.
Inner Climate: An Ecokinetics Workshop
In this time of accelerating climate change, how can we move our bodies to connect with ourselves, one another, and the planet? One of the root causes for climate inaction is a widespread lack of embodied connection to the natural world and sensory experience of the way it is changing. This two-part workshop facilitated by choreographer Jody Sperling, Founder & Artistic Director of Time Lapse Dance, helps participants tune into their organic and innate interconnectedness.
The session begins with a presentation on ecokinetics, Sperling’s dance practice and theory exploring the relationship between human movers and ecological systems. The presentation outlines key pathways toward climate engagement through creative arts and movement. Following, participants transition to an experiential movement workshop. Through guided imagery and improvisational exercises, we practice growing embodied connections and dissolving the illusory boundaries between the self, other, and the environment. This is an inclusive workshop. People of all ages, abilities, and prior movement experience are welcome.
Format: Presentation + Workshop
Duration: 60-90 minutes.
LeARN ABOUT OUR ECOKINETICS-INFORMED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
