Fione Rettenberger • M00388626 • Critical Reflection

In my first blog of this module (Appendix A) I started comparing the journey we are taking in this BAPP course to a Soyuz-mission of the late 50s. Whilst in Module one we were shown what bits we need and how to assemble our own private spacecraft, in this part of the course we were able to take our first test-flights in the the vast universe work-place study has to offer.

Developing lines of Professional Inquiry

In order to develop my professional line of inquiry, I started off by having a brainstorm and producing a mind-map on where I was then and making it clear to myself, where I would like to go. (Appendix B)

Thinking about the future inevitably leads me down the road of the past, so this is also the time I started reading “Apollo´s Angels” by Jennifer Homans a fine piece of literature about the history of ballet. In this book I found many references to where ballet is embedded into the story, and society of the time. (Appendix C)

Like on any long journey it is important to take a great deal of reading material with you, so I read as varied and as much as I could in the limited time available to me. Having identified a heightened interest for the social sciences I looked for literature on the sociology of dance, sociology of the body, neurocognition of dance (Appendix D) and other various cultural themes surrounding dance.

At the same time I engaged the people around me in conversations about my ideas, most notably one of the ballet masters from work and the managing director of the Hessen State Theatre. Because I also took my fledging ideas away from my community of practice the discussions I had were fruitful and later on would lead me to my line of inquiry.

During the same time I also took an important trip. Back to my own roots to my alma mater. Travelling always has the amazing effect on me, that it clears my head and gives me fresh ideas and impulses to think about. Travelling back to where I essentially came from as a professional and even more so, being fortunate enough to meet some of the most important teachers I had and discussing my thoughts and studies with them finally also lead me to the conclusion of this part. I knew I wanted to discover more about the social aspects of dance, delve into the realms of the social habitus or public spheres of dancers.

Professional Ethics

As my Soyuz capsule was taking flight I took a look around the universe of ethics. A vast area to cover I started by identifying my own professional work ethics. (Appendix E)

With the “Anlage zum NV- Solo Vertrag” (Appendix F) being the legal basis of the contract I have signed as a soloist dancer with the Hessen State Theatre I also revised my professional ethics.

This in turn led me to think about the ethics of my own professional inquiry. I think the most important thing I ought to bear in mind, when conducting interviews and surveys are the addressed persons' rights, especially when dealing with such delicate matters, as the end of the much loved career in dance or concerning a person's social status. I also noticed in composing my pilot survey and conducting a pilot interview, that how the questions asked are set is highly important.

It was also around about that time, that my little spacecraft passed by some important items of literature, that would in the end lead me to the universe I have decided to further explore in my professional inquiry. (Appendix G)

Through a radio-programme I was led to the “Deutscher Kulturrat” (Appendix H) - the German Federal Cultural Foundation, providing me with ample information on the situation of dance in Germany and on the social habits of artists. (Appendix I)

Internet research (Appendix J) also led me to the “Tanzplan Deutschland” (Appendix K) , an initiative of the German Federal Cultural Foundation lasting from 2005 to 2010, that was equipped with 12.5million € to act as a catalyst for the German Dance scene to promote more recognition and equal value for the art form in public perception. Amongst many other things it set up the “Transition Centre Dance”. (Appendix L)

Reading, thinking and discussing transition with my peers (actually I was blow-drying my hair) led me to the universe of work-based research that I want to further explore, as I feel it is a subject still very much in its infant stage here in Germany and one plus-point is, I can talk to almost every dancer I know.

Tools of Professional Inquiry

So although I started feeling a little less like Laika the dog in the myriad of my ideas I still need to channel my research in order for it not to get out of hand.

Once I had heard the penny drop it was easy for me to go looking for the appropriate literature concerning the subject of transition. (Appendix M)

In reading I found many questions to ask, which I utilized in my pilot interview and in composing my pilot-survey. I also used a TV programme on a ballet school class from Vienna (Appendix N) as my observation.

Although it seems as though I have been on an extremely lonely journey, I have enjoyed the company of strangers in some special interest groups on linked-in and also was actively engaged with the blogging community, where I was able to receive support in moments of despair.

Discussions with my tutor, that made me feel like I was reporting back to Huston Space Center were also helpful and guided the little cosmonaut in me back on track.

I look forward to the upcoming research and my big mission into the universe of dance transition in Germany.