On our fourth episode of ‘dance film’ month, your co-hosts Martheya and Azaria interview author and academic Dr. Harmony Bench. In this episode, we go behind the screen and talk about her book Perpetual Motion: Dance, Digital Cultures, and the Common, Dunham’s Data, digital ways of thinking, social media best practices, and dance on screen. Special thanks to Ann Cooper Albright for connecting us for this interview.
This week on DANCE BEHIND THE SCREEN PODCAST…
[0:28] Martheya and Azaria introduce Harmony Bench
QUESTIONS WITH HARMONY BENCH
[2:17] Martheya asks: “In your book Perpetual Motion: Dance, Digital Cultures, and the Common on page 140 you state “Imitation and replication lie at the heart of how dance travels.” Can you talk to us more about this idea and how you think about dance traveling via social media? Dance film festivals?”
[6:34] Azaria asks: “What do you say to everyone who thinks these(Tik Tok/Digital Dance) are fads?”
[8:16] Azaria asks: “What is Dunham’s Date? Why is this kind of work important?”
[13:09] Azaria asks: “Do you think you will use these tools you are developing now on a grander scale?”
[15:55] Martheya asks: “Can you talk about your anticipated user experience for Dunham’s Data?”
[17:39] Martheya asks: “What is the common? Can you talk about data, surveillance, and monetization and how you see this playing out in the digital space?”
[24:46] Martheya asks: “Do you have any advice to help us navigate social media best practices?”
[29:05] Martheya asks: “Have you noticed a big difference in how you give your attention?”
[31:19] Martheya asks: “How do you negotiate supporting local arts and dance online?”
[38:54] Martheya asks: “Can you share with our audience any teasers for your new book about affect and kinesthesia in screendance spectatorship? Can you talk about how social media is influencing dance film or screendance practices?”
[50:40] Martheya asks: “How do you say NO to the BOX?”
[49:25] Azaria asks:
1- If you had to recommend a resource to our audience what would it be?
Book, Playable Bodies by Kiri Miller, https://www.amazon.com/Playable-Bodies-Dance-Games-Intimate/dp/0190257849
2- What was the first dance you saw?
“My parents in the parking lot or The Nutcracker”
3- Do you think social media has a positive influence on the dance world (yes or no)?
“Yes”
4- What is your favorite social media platform?
“None of the above”
#HarmonyBench Recommended Resources
Company- Dunham’s Data, https://dunhamsdata.org/
Videos- Dunham’s Data, https://dunhamsdata.org/blog/work-in-progress-videos-1
Artist- Kate Elswit, http://www.kateelswit.org/
Movie- The Social Dilemma, https://www.thesocialdilemma.com/
Book- Algorithms of Oppression by Safiya Umoja Noble, https://www.amazon.com/Algorithms-Oppression-Search-Engines-Reinforce/dp/1479837245
Website- know your meme, https://knowyourmeme.com/
Artist- Alexadra Beller, https://alexandrabellerdances.org/
Book, Playable Bodies by Kiri Miller, https://www.amazon.com/Playable-Bodies-Dance-Games-Intimate/dp/0190257849
Connect with #HarmonyBench
Twitter- @harmonybench