The Immanent Body is a research project led by Hattie Harding, exploring how concepts of the phenomenology of perception can aid in creating a greater sense of being present in dance performance. Through using ideas from the phenomenology of perception, most notably the phenomenology of Maurice Merleau-Ponty and his work on immanence, this project offers considerations on how to become more present in movement. These ideas were developed through phenomenologically influenced practical research, with three dancers, involving personal reflection and much discussion, based in live improvisation. The main outcomes include two improvisational scores developed through the research, which are detailed in the text, and a practical durational sharing.
Drew Leder stated that ‘the lived body is thus first and foremost not a located thing but a path of access, a being-in-the-world’ (1990, p,21). To be in the world we first need to see the world around us, we see before we feel, and we see to explore other things surrounding us. The connection between awareness and movement finds its routes within the living body. If we are not using our perception, then how can we expect our body to be present in the world. The body is a ‘living process’ (Leder, 1990, p.30) whose perception can be developed, so I see this as an important area of research for the performance world.