Call for papers
Flying Deities Project
Microgravity: the sensory experience of parabolic flights
- Name: SETSUKO ISHIGURO
- Country: Japan
- E-mail: ishiguro@sky.plala.or.jp
- University: Ochanomizu University
As activities in space become more common, it is increasingly important to examine human behavior in zero gravity from the viewpoint of arts and culture. This study examines the performance of certain dances in a zero gravity environment, and makes a comparison between such performances and what ancient people imagined it to be like dancing in this kind of environment. Among the many cultures that have imagined flying celestial beings, this study focuses on the murals of flying deities [hiten] in Dunhuang (China) and Asuka (Japan).
Ｗe need to clarify what we mean by Îflying deities.â In the Buddhist tradition the flying deities are regarded as celestial beings who fly through the air to praise Buddhaâs dignity and guard his world, showering flowers and wafting incense as they fly through the airâ At Project 1.two parabolic flights were made to test the performance of flying deities in zero gravity. For this purpose the test subjects, who were skilled dancers, boarded an airplane to simulate elements of the performance in zero gravity.
One major aim of this test performance was to define the basic patterns for the dance and the task was to look down as the dancer lifted the upper body. Another aim consisted of defining the basic patterns for a duo dance, one resembling those of the mural paintings of Horyuji and another one similar to those of Dunhuang. This required coordinated movements between the two dancers.
One of the most prominent characteristics of the postures of flying deities is Îlooking down while lifting upper bodies.â Moreover, it has become evident that the postures of the Dunhuang dance, which are composed of various curves depict the shape of letter the U and not the straight vertical line emphasized in classical ballet.
In zero gravity, one normally moves forward as if exposed to danger. Trained dancers, however, can float in this environment bending their upper body backward like the flying deities were painted in ancient times. Thus, it became clear that a posture of bending backward is one of the artistic rules in zero gravity.
The above described attempts at re-enacting a dance of the flying deities in zero gravity shows that, despite some of the mentioned difficulties, this offers a possibility of realizing ancient peopleâs adoration of the celestial world, and also provides important clues in studying effective movements in zero gravity.
I would like to show DVD- Flying Deities Project-,five minutes long.
