BRUTE: A dance exploration of brutalist principles in order to find freedom in form, honest expression, and authentic performance / Amanda Monteith (2025)

Where dance and architecture intersect – that is the point at which this research begins, expanding out into concepts of freedom, authenticity and honest expression. This hermeneutical research and performance dissects concepts of the brutalist architectural movement to infuse into a dance practice and performance, dialing in on both facilitating vulnerability through movement as well as accessing and balancing dichotomies between community versus isolation, grandiose versus small, exact versus broad. Using pursuits in dance choreography, phenomenological movement analysis, and established film strategies, BRUTE explored the concept of “brutalist dance” and how specific aspects of the brutalist architectural movement can be ascribed to dance choreography and performance. The hypothesis of this research is that characteristics of brutalist architecture, when applied within the dance choreography and performance context, are useful in accessing honest emotion, expression and freedom in movement and can allow for physical extremes to be explored within the dance realm. Through engaging in a collaborative choreographic process with a performative outcome, this hypothesis will be tested, utilizing brutalism and associated concepts within both the choreography and intention of the performance piece.