In this provocative study of dancing; Sam Gill examines the interpretive styles of a variety of cultural dance traditions in discourse with the philosophic traditions of Schiller; Merleau-Ponty; Barbaras; Derrida; Leroi-Gourhan; and Baudrillard. As a scholar of religion; Gill provides special consideration to the importance of this emerging appreciation of dancing as a perspective inclusive of body and experience. Each chapter delves into the many factions of dancing: moving; gesturing; self-othering; playing; seducing; and masking. Gill also draws on the analysis of contemporary dance films and musicals; his experience as a dancer and dance teacher; his extensive research on dance traditions; and his interest in neurobiology and phenomenology to develop the core of this rich exploration of ldquo;dancing;rdquo; the structurality of all dances.
#2242886 in eBooks 2012-05-23 2012-05-23File Name: B00872E12G
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Too academicBy Scott LloydTo be fair this book is not what I expected. I expected it to be principally a sketchbook of architectural ideas. But it is more of a mediation on how architects use sketches with much more text than I anticipated. There are usually illustrations on every spread but to my eye they are overwhelmed by text.The writing style is a little too verbose and academic for my tastes and I found little that was engaging. Each chapter has a bibliography for those who want to delve deeper into the subjects. My emphasis is on the visual arts so architects may find this more satisfying than I do.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. For artists and students of urban design as well as architectsBy Tracy RowanMy artistic talents dont lie in this direction. but all the same. the art of architecture is endlessly interesting to me. This volume of sketches by architects is a kind of bridge between the nuts-and-bolts of architectural design and fine arts which are far more accessible to most people. The sketches themselves convey not just the physical facts of the structure but the feel of it. the ideas behind the design. These drawings show the physical grace of a structure. and its energy in a way that the architectural drawings cant. They show us what the structure is meant to be.The stand-out drawing -- for me at least -- is a pastel by Cesar Pelli of the Petronas Towers. Its a simple. atmospheric sketch which trades detail for impression. It helps us understand the greater vision of the towers within a landscape. The text includes a quote from the architect explaining why he chose to image the towers in this way. and helps not only to explain the vision of the towers themselves but the creative process in which they took shape.In fact. the text is critical to full appreciation of this book. Its a wide-ranging discussion not only of architecture but that very creative process out of which all arts spring. I cant help but feel that this volume is an excellent aid to learning about all manner of design. not just architecture.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Very few sketches. very dry textBy Catherine ToddAs a non-architect builder. who buys lots and lots of architectural books. I was very disappointed in this slim tome (138 pages including index). There are so few sketches in here I am surprised it even carried that word in the title. The text may be interesting to full-fledged architects. but it left me completely dry. Page after page of solid text that is very hard to follow. Example:"In another way. Pedrock. by drawing. could have been imprinting the perception on a field in his brain. in an attempt to lean it (or encode it). Whhhattt?Im sure this books makes sense to some people whom I hope will derive great benefit from it. I dont usually review books I dont like or could not appreciate. but since Im required to review this one I have. For people who want real sketches. and lots of them. with easily-followed descriptions. look elsewhere. This book reminds me of the old style boring descriptions of the great artists with poor illustrations and color plates and reams and reams of words. To me. that is not architecture nor is it art. Its falling asleep in a lecture class. I hope the author tries again with a good editor and graphic designer next time. I always hope to encourage everyone.
