In this presentation, I explore the intersection of dance and cinema through the lens of artistic research, with a focus on creating a resonant relationship between these two mediums. As a contemporary dance practitioner with deep ties to the cinematic world, I have long been fascinated by the potential of these art forms to enrich one another. However, this exploration has led me to question: What does it truly mean to connect dance and cinema in a way that is mutually enhancing, rather than one overpowering the other?
Through my research, I discovered that many dance films tend to merely represent dance on screen, relying on optical aesthetics rather than engaging with the kinesthetic empathy that is central to choreographic experience (M. Zanotti). This observation prompted me to develop a new artistic practice centered on experimentation, in which my colleagues and I explore various modes of interaction between dance, camera, and cinematic language.
By moving beyond the conventional approach of filming dancing bodies, I aim to create a shared language where both dance and cinema coalesce into a form that embodies bodily knowledge and experience. This resonates with the audience not just through visual admiration, but through a deeper engagement with the choreographic process, inviting viewers to "feel" dance in a more tactile, embodied way.
In this presentation, I will discuss the outcomes of these experiments, sharing insights into how choreography and cinema can meaningfully coexist and enhance each other, ultimately offering a richer, more immersive experience of both art forms.
Greta Grinevičiūtė
Lithuanian Music and Theatre Academy
Greta Grinevičiūtė is a Lithuanian choreographer, performer, and PhD candidate exploring the intersection of dance and cinema. Co-founder of the independent dance company BE COMPANY her work blends movement, film, narrative, often drawing from personal experiences. Greta teaches a course at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (LMTA), where she guides dance and cinematography students in exploring creative connections between dance and cinema. Her artistic research focuses on searching for mutual language between dance and cinema, aiming to expand existing landscape of dance cinema.