The use of the principles and practice of Zen Buddhism and Korean dance to create a new choreographic style for contemporary classical ballet works

The aim of this research is to create a ballet choreography (Kang Kang Sulrea) informed by practices of Zen Buddhism and Korean dance. This choreography demonstrates my personal interpretation of various aspects of style and practice that have arisen through this research. Meditation was studied as a means to inspire creativity and was then shared with dancers participating in a performance piece called Kang Kang SulRea. This process led to the incorporation of meditation as a pivotal component of the performance itself. The dancers also learned Korean dance, focusing on the concept at “dancing with breathing” which is the principle underlying all Korean movement practices. My choreography is also inspired in various ways by the works of modern ballet choreographic greats, Bejart, Kylian, Duato, and Lin Hwai Min as well as by my own background in classical ballet techniques. Meditation provides rest, relaxation and calmness but meditation’s most profound contribution is its capacity to generate insight and a connection to divinity. My choreography through its preparation, sound theoretical base, philosophy, themes, narratives and later, costume, lighting and music will aim to provide rest and stimulation; balanced in equal measure for my audiences.

Grantor dc:publisher

Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia

Year dc:date

2007

Author dc:creator

• Han, Chil

• Dance
• Korea
• Choreography
• Zen Buddhism.

Repository record dc:identifier

https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/317

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ro.ecu.edu.au:theses-1317