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.
