Appreciating “Thirdspace”: An Alternative Way of Viewing and Valuing Site-Specific Dance Performance

Abstract

Site-specific dance performance involves the presentation of choreography in connection with a site. The context of the site combined with a viewer’s personal history, beliefs, and identity impact the reading and appreciation of the performance. Although both stage and site dance performance valuing elicit multiple interpretations of artistic works, site-specific dance performance valuing presents additional complexity as viewers respond to choreographed movement, the site, and the reciprocal relationship between the choreography and site. Challenges might arise then in group and instructional settings to find common ground for analysis and discussion of site-specific dance performances. To address some of these challenges, the author advocates the use of a pedagogical model adapted from critical human geographer Edward W. Soja’s model of “Thirdspace.” A comprehensive way of thinking, experiencing, and talking about spaces, Thirdspace when applied to dance appreciation guides viewers through a holistic analysis of relationships between site and choreography.