Essere presenti al corpo. Un’analisi dell’insegnamento di Simona Bertozzi

Abstract

What is that transforms movement into dance? Is it the presence of the dancer? Following the phenomenology of French philosopher Maurice Merleau-Ponty and the studies of philosopher Maxine Sheets-Johnstone, in this article I will present a phenomenological analysis of the concept of presence. I will start with my own experience as a student of Italian choreographer and dancer Simona Bertozzi.The notion of presence that I propose here focuses on three concepts: kineasthetic awareness, body intentionality, and kinesthetic memory. Building on them, I will show how for a dancer to be present is an active process, not related to the idea of “stage presence”. Simona Bertozzi’s pedagogy bridges together theory and practice; by doing so, she taught me how to be present to my body and my dance while it is happening.