Dialogue in Amerta Movement

Dialogue is often conceived of as verbal interaction between different people or groups. This Element focuses on how dialogue is manifested in dance and somatic practices, through sensory relationality and responsiveness to the environment. The attention then is less on conflict of specific 'actors' but rather dialogue as a more holistic system of embodied exchange. As a study of movement as dialogue, the authors focus on Amerta Movement, a free-from style of dance developed by Javanese dance artist Suprapto Suryodarmo (Prapto), which explores dialogue with oneself, nature, other people, and communities. They examine the work of seven performing artists in Indonesia who engage with Amerta Movement in their workshops and performances. They further consider how such movement practices can cultivate competencies for inter-religious and intercultural dialogue, while contributing to debates on social cohesion and social justice. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.