[This posting concerns Ann Hutchinson Guest‘s and Charlotte Wile‘s June 5, 2001 Motif Theory Discussions]

Charlotte’s Discussions

• Re: The use of the sign for “any” in the Carving Shape Mode sign. I agree with Charlotte. I don’t like Ex. 1a) in her posting because it contains the sign for “any.” I prefer, but don’t like her 1c. Perhaps we should consider using three slanted lines, as in my example 1 below.
• While we’re on the topic of “any,” the generic sign for any direction (my example 2 below) excludes place high and place low, which some people (not I) say are not directions.

• Re: The indications for Unspecified Axial Movement (Charlotte’s Ex. 2a-2d). I like 2c best. Also, in this discussion I think it is important that we clarify what is meant by what movements can be considered “movement in place,” e.g., a partial shift of weight (such as a second position lunge, shifting weight from the left foot to the right foot).

• I like the proposed sign for “any number” shown in Charlotte’s 2t..
• In the discussion of body portion involvement indications, Charlotte uses the terms “unspecified” and “insignificant” as though they are synonymous. I feel they have two different meanings and therefore need two different approaches (i.e., symbols). We need more symbols. Maybe we should ask Carl Wolz for Chinese or Japanese symbols that we are having trouble illustrating.
• I was confused by Charlotte’s examples 3a-3j because I did not realize at first that she was using the flexion sign to illustrate her point.
• In the chart for “Method One” (Body Portion Involvement Discussion), the signs for an aerial movement, fall in a direction, and weight transference should be in the “whole body” column.
• I think the paragraph explaining cancellation of body portion involvement keys (Charlotte’s Ex. 3l-3n) needs further clarification.
• In the Axial Movement discussion The Labanotator is quoted as saying “Traveling is a Major activity on its own and here the direction is a qualifier to that main activity.” I do not agree with the use of the word “major,” because traveling involves direction and it is arbitrary to say that the traveling is more important than the direction.
• Re: Axial Movement discussion, “Why I Like Idea Two,” second paragraph”: Instead of saying that a movement can either be “in place” or travel, it should say that the movement can either be “in place,” travel, or do both (see Charlotte’s Ex. 4v).

Ann’s Discussions
[Quotations from Ann’s posting are in upper case.]

1. Ann wrote (traveling discussion): FROM POINT OF VIEW II, CIRCLING HAS A STRONG FEELING OF THE CENTRAL POINT AROUND WHICH THE CIRCLING GOES, EVEN IF ONLY A PARTIAL CIRCLE IS COMPLETED. HOWEVER THE INDIVIDUAL CHOOSES TO PERFORM SUCH CIRCULAR MOVEMENTS, THE SENSE OF THE CENTRAL FOCUS POINT IS STRONG, AS IS THE CORRECT SHAPE.

Ray’s response: We know this as Labanotators, but dancers don’t think this. They have to have it explained, especially when traveling side or backwards.

---

2. Ann wrote (traveling discussion): THE IMPETUS, THE FLOW PRODUCES CURVES WHICH ARE NOT FELT OR SEEN AS PARTS OF A CIRCLE. SUCH CURVING DOES NOT CONTAIN THE IDEA OF GOING AROUND SOMEONE OR SOMETHING.

Ray’s response: Ask an onlooker and they will say it is circling.

---

3. Ann wrote (traveling discussion): VARIOUS IDEAS ARE PUT FORWARD TO SUPPORT THIS, SUCH AS LOOKING FOR A LOST OBJECT IN A FIELD, WANDERING THROUGH THE WOODS, AROUND BUSHES. BUT AS SOON AS THERE IS AN OBJECT TO SEARCH FOR, OR A TREE TO WHICH TO RELATE, THE BASIC IDEA OF MEANDERING, THE AIMLESSNESS, IS LOST.

Ray’s response: If you use an image of wandering around bushes, etc. there is an idea.

---

4. Re: Ann’s sign for a path in which a specific choice is made (her Ex. 1g).

Ray’s response: Although I like the sign, if a specific choice is made, you are not meandering as in view II, though the resulting path may appear as a meandering one as in view I.

---

5. Re: Ann’s Ex. 2j, which she describes as: A LOWERING IS FOLLOWED BY STILLNESS; NO OTHER ACTION OCCURS, STILLNESS IS IMPORTANT.

Ray’s response: By saying this you infer that a hold sign is not important. If in 2j the Stillness lasted only a quarter note, you might still be looking to see how it is cancelled.

---

6. Re: Ann’s example 3m.

Ray’s response: Did you leave out the vertical line?