Colours on the surface of my body in motion: The relationship between synaesthesia and dance improvisation

Abstract

In synaesthesia, the stimulation of one sense or cognitive concept simultaneously and involuntarily produces a sensation in a second sense or cognitive experience. while synaesthesia has been investigated from neuroscience and psychology to social sciences and the arts, the relationship between synaesthesia and dance is largely un-researched. This article provides insight into my practice-led research project on the relationship between synaesthesia and dance improvisation, informed by somatic practice. It demonstrates the interrelation of synaesthesia and dance improvisation when performed by a synaesthete, and discusses the role of attention in this context as well as explorations of the relationship between synaesthesia, somatic practice and dance improvisation by synaesthetes and non-synaesthetes. In conclusion it is suggested that research into synaesthesia through dance and somatic practice can contribute to an integral understanding of this highly quantitatively investigated phenomenon.