The spectacle of silence and stillness

This paper explores the interconnecting themes of ‘silence’ and ‘stillness’ as they relate to notions of ‘spectacle’. The discussion will be illustrated with examples from Doris Humphrey’s choreographic works along side contemporary reference points. The paper considers the meaning/s and occurrence of spectacle and will discuss the implications of definitions such as ‘wonderment’, ‘breathtaking’, ‘mesmerising’ and ‘escapist’ in relation to the viewer’s response. A further premise is that the appeal of ‘silence’ and ‘stillness’ is a growing phenomenon in a contemporary society besieged by visual and aural stimulation, and that our notions of what constitutes ‘spectacle’ are shifting accordingly.