Some common examples of static movement in dance include:
- A dancer holding a pose, such as a ballet dancer in arabesque or a modern dancer in a contorted shape.
- A group of dancers forming a tableau vivant, where they create a living picture through frozen positions.
- A choreographer intentionally using stillness as a choreographic device, such as in the work of postmodern dance pioneers such as Trisha Brown or Steve Paxton.
Static movement can serve various purposes in dance:
- To build suspense or anticipation before a major movement change.
- To emphasize a particular moment or gesture.
- To contrast with more dynamic or fluid movements within a piece.
- To create a sense of visual beauty or artistic expression.
- To challenge traditional notions of movement and time in dance.
Static movement requires great control, precision, and body awareness from dancers as it involves holding a position without losing balance or compromising posture. It can also be used as a tool for dancers to explore their own physicality and sense of space.
In contemporary dance and experimental dance forms, the concept of static movement is often expanded to include subtle shifts or changes within the body, even if there is no overall displacement in space. These micro-movements can add complexity and nuance to the static state and further extend the choreographic possibilities of stillness in dance.