Name of teacher / supervisor
Serge Arthur DODO
Period, duration
Block 3, Week 9 - 17
Study load
52,5 contact hours
Competencies
1, 4, 5, 6
Summary
In this class we will practice Coupé Décalé, an urban dance, lifestyle and world-view from Ivory Coast. Fundamental movements of Coupé Décalé are based on “showing off”, posing, fantasies etc.. Typical is the fast footwork, the laid-back attitude, the significant gestures with the arms and the rhythmical and undulating use of the spine and hip-area. Therefore there is a polyrhythmic and polycentric approach of the body for which the upper-body is slightly bent forward, the knees slightly bent, the arms bent in an angle. This dance was created during the war of 1990’s in Ivory Coast, to help the people deal with this difficult situation, to forget the traumas and to transform and redirect their state of being and their way of thinking towards something positive. In Coupé décalé’s culture of ‘showing off’ one shows class through movements, clothes and attitude. Therefore, it is a contemporary traditional dance. Travelling from Ivorian creator Douk Saga aka Sagacité, who was based in France, to Ivory Coast, and from Ivory Coast to the world, coupé Décalé is today a well known dance that evolved both rhythmically and musically to allow space for creativity, improvisation and virtuosity. I grew up with coupé décalé as my lifestyle. My creations and way of working are taking its energy and source from urban dances from Ivory Coast, of which coupé décalé is part.
Content and design of the class
The main focus will be on basic movements, ideology and rhythm of coupé décalé. Once embodied, the work will focus on creation by creating phrases and choreographies. From there the work goes into improvisation; this is where the virtuosity technique and rhythm of the artist will find its evolution.
Learning goals
- Be in control of the body and the musicality of the body
- Developing rhythmical awareness and rhythm within the body
- Polyrhythmic approach of the body
- Polycentric approach of the body
- To build up stamina and endurance
- To have an open attitude of both body and mind to be receptive towards traditional African cultures and dances
Working method(s) used
Group class, Training, assignments, peer-to-peer
Used study material
video, vocal text, audio music
Assessment criteria
Control of the body and the musicality of the body
Rhythmical awareness and rhythm within the body
Polyrhythmic approach of the body
Polycentric approach of the body
To build up stamina and endurance
To have an open attitude of both body and mind to be receptive towards traditional African cultures and dances
Collaboration peers: attitude, participation
Participation during class
Attendance
Method of assessment
continuous feedback
Learning goals in the class contribute to the overall development of the competency indicators: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 5.1, 6.2, 6.4
The overall development of the student is assessed at integral assessment meetings, twice a year, through combined self-assessment and assessment by teachers, coaches and mentors. This course forms a continuous line with African Contemporary, Year 1, block 1, House dance: Foundations & Rhythm, Year 1, block 3, Critical Dance History, Year 1, block 1 & 2
