Abstract:
In the light of Merleau-Ponty’s philosophical reflections, this essay aims to understand dance as a language. Based on the correlation among perception, historicity and expression, the philosopher envisages closeness between art and language. To better understand how these three elements connect, we situate some events in the process of development of dance over time, presenting works by modern and contemporary dance artists. It is a crucial condition for realizing that dance never ceases to change. This proposition enables us to understand how expressions are not unconnected to time and feed on their own mobility. It is through perceptual intersections that expression never ends, it is never completed, there is always more to be danced. Opening up to language as the realization of meaning and world experience is crucial for thinking about possibilities of experiencing dance as language.
Keywords:
Dancing; Language; Philosophy; Perception