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Peer-reviewed article

Labanotation: a universal movement notation language

March 21, 2002 | Public Programs
This paper describes how a universal language for notating dance and, more generally, movement was elaborated, known as "Kinetography Laban", or rather "Labanotation". It was devised by choreographer and movement theorist Rudolf von Laban, who outlined it for the first time in 1928, in the journal Schrifttanz. His system differs from precedent notation systems in that Labanotation is rigorous and universal, as it is based not on one particular style or technique but on the general of kinetics underlying human motion. Its geometrical and abstract symbols also free it from language constraints, thus making it universally comprehensivle. Through his kinetography, Laban freed dance from the transcience of individual performances, thereby providing a way to capture and reproduce dance, to hand down choreographic masterpieces for posterity and to simplify movement analysis in other branches of study as well.

TEAM MEMBERS

  • Silvana Barbacci
    Author
    ISAS
  • Citation

    ISSN : 1824-2049
    Publication Name: Journal of Science Communication
    Volume: 1
    Number: 1
    Resource Type: Research Products
    Discipline: Art, music, and theater | Mathematics | Physics
    Audience: Scientists
    Environment Type: Public Programs | Theater Programs

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