Choreographic Fellow | June 12 – 24, 2012
BORDERLINE
Johnston researched a new piece, BORDERLINE, which examines neurological capacity for creativity and how this is, or can be, embodied. The impetus for the piece was derived from Dr. Nancy C. Andreason’s work on the intersections between creativity, spirituality, neuroimaging, genomics, and the natural history and neural mechanisms of schizophrenia. As part of her research, Johnston began a multi-session dialogue with Dr. K. Anders Ericcson, a Conradi Eminent Scholar and Professor of Psychology at Florida State University to examine questions of developing expertise as a contemporary dancer. Through intensive physical training, rigorous rehearsals with creative exercises driven at unveiling emotions embedded in the body through the body, Johnston examined the neurological dimensions of using dance as an expressive medium, while simultaneously questioning how this work can be part of training mastery in the field of dance. The residency culminated in an Informal Showing in which Johnston described her application of Dr. Ericcson's practices while in residence and shared the movement material developed to date. Johnston and her collaborators concluded the showing with an interactive feedback session with audience members.
Maggie Allesee
