Abilities and Structure of Dance Appreciation: Based on Dance Critics Interviews

Abstract

In 2013, the Japan Sports Association announced the National Sports Promotion Plan in the 21st century—Sports Promotion 2013. Two words that have not been seen in previous plans appear in the latest edition: “analysis” and “criticism.” These words can be regarded as referencing a new direction to more deeply experience sports. The purpose of this study is to reveal the abilities that are reflected in the growth process of the dance critic and to present a model of dance appreciation which includes the critics. This survey took place from December 2013 to February 2014. Subjects were questioned in a semi-structured interview. They were asked to recall the circumstances that led them to become dance critics. The critics all shared three abilities prior to attaining their profession: the ability to formalize, physical compressive ability, and concentration power. The ability to formalize is an intention to express one’s impression of an experience to others. Physical empathy ability is displayed by two people who have prior dance experience, who can reflect physical exercise by drawing from their own experiences. Concentration power is to feel very close, or immersed, in the experience. Diversification of the concept involves the compulsion to write criticism. Explanatory power, objective ability, analytical skills, and information organizing abilities are concepts that are very similar: they all involve information-intensive abilities, response capabilities, and evaluation abilities. The ability to collect and organize information has changed since the subjects of the study began as critics. Current concepts connect knowledge collection to meaning. Further, critics react with one after another in this new stimulus. The ability to evaluate a work and its producer has become more important. Language and debate skills are also necessary.