Deep Emergence: Systemic Change in Movement and Perception
Context
Steering complexity
Complex systems are unpredictable and unruly, because they are made up of many smaller self-regulating systems. Influencing one part leads to unintended “second order” effects, which are often “non-linear”, meaning they are not proportional to the original stimulus. This topic looks at humans as complex systems, and asks: how might we create positive, non-linear effects by optimising “central nodes”, from which action and perception emerge?
Central nodes
Based on the concept of hierarchical emergence, the group researched several concepts as “central nodes”. This term describes “deep” systems from which other systems are influenced. The group took influence from Moshe Feldenkrais to research the effect of the eyes on the body and how attitude affects movement. Second, the group looked at several Jungian psychological concepts within the context of emergence, particularly the differential emergence of behaviour as relating to “Self” and “ego”; that is, integrated vs partial self-images. Lastly, the group explored the use of intuitive modes of being, and how the organisation of muscular and attentional systems might increase or decrease access to these states.
Movement praxis
This topic made use of a movement practice following the concepts described above. This work looked at 1. Several somatic concepts around ease of movement, the use of the eyes and breathing, 2. Improvisation in relation to images the above concepts and 3. How the relationship to interoceptive signals may inform decision making in movement. This last topic proved particularly rich, leading to the next topic: From the Heart.
