Open Space: Contact Improvisation Film Screening & Discussion

This Open Space event focused on the historical roots of Contact Improvisation through rare documentary footage, followed by a facilitated community discussion about the evolution of the form.

Event Format

The evening was structured as:

• Introduction to the historical context (20 min)
• Screening of archival footage featuring early CI practitioners (60 min)
• Facilitated discussion about the evolution of CI and its principles (45 min)
• Optional movement integration (30 min)

Featured Footage

Participants viewed excerpts from:

• Early performances by Steve Paxton and collaborators
• Documentary interviews with first-generation CI teachers
• Historical jams and workshops from the 1970s and 1980s

Key Discussion Themes

The conversation explored:

• The original intentions and contexts for Contact Improvisation
• How the practice has evolved over decades
• Cultural adaptations across different communities
• The relationship between technique, principles, and philosophy in CI
• Preserving the essence while allowing the form to grow

Community Response

This Open Space format created a valuable opportunity for both newer practitioners and experienced dancers to connect with the lineage of Contact Improvisation and reflect on their own relationship to the practice.