Somatic practice in performance : the Maya Lila project of Joan Davis

Abstract

Drawing on post-positivist and new paradigm research methodologies, I examine the Maya Lila project of Irish contemporary dancer and choreographer Joan Davis. In Maya Lila, Davis places somatic practices usually used in a therapeutic context into the sphere of public performance. As a result, psychoanalytic theory provides useful insights for understanding the operation of the dynamic relationships which inform this type of performance, particularly the "co-creative" element of her work. In addition, I consider how the Irish social and cultural context has impacted Davis' exploration of body, movement, language, and space in Maya Lila. At the same time, researching Davis' background with the company Dublin Contemporary Dance Theatre (DCDT) and her somatic approach in Maya Lila reveals the influence of international trends in dance on her approach to performance. Theories of globalisation and postmodern theory thus provide a framework for understanding Davis' work as it interacts with the global field.