Oceanic feeling: Towards a fluid philosophy of moving bodies

Abstract

In this article, I use Romain Rolland’s oceanic feeling as an entrance point to explore the transformative nature of dance improvisation. Oceanic feeling includes both a feeling of dissolution of the boundaries of the self and a feeling of unity, embracement and openness. The feeling of interconnectedness, with living and non-living entities, indeed with the cosmic world as such, is a vital force in dance improvisational practice. Dance improvisation is deeply relational: it is concerned with contact, with touching-the-world as well as being-touched-by-the-world. Through the synchronization of our moving bodies with others and the world, we feel a sense of connection, of parts that merge (temporarily) into wholes. In this article, I will elaborate further on Rolland’s notion of oceanic feeling and its relevance for dance improvisation. I suggest a fluid philosophy of moving bodies that is informed by eastern philosophy and poststructuralist theory.