Reading and researching on subjects related to my practice, I've recently come across a very interesting term: liminal performance.
Apparently, it has a lot of points interesting for me to look at and I can briefly mention some of them as I get them from my readings. So, among other important characteristics, liminal holds as important trait the centrality of non-linguistic modes of signification. According to Sue Broadhurst that writes about liminal aesthetics, 'In much of the liminal, significatory modes are visual, kinetic, gravitational, proximic, aural and so on'
She goes on speaking about non-verbal signification, 'shift shape' style of performances and other very inspiring stuff.
Apart from the fact that this sounds in many ways relevent to what I am trying to do (reading more will prove me right or wrong...we'll see) she also uses as examples of liminal theatre the Pina Bausch's Tanztheater that I already had in mind as relevant AND the theatre of images of Robert Wilson whose work I was looking at last term.
(Not saying that this is exactly what I'm practically going for but both work in ways I can definately benefit from).
So, really happy to learn more about liminal performances!
In addition to that, actually that in addition to this, great reference for me to look at turns out to be Julia Bardsley. I had sensed that a bit when she had visited us last term, but it was too early for me to know why. Her work at the NRLA woke me up. (and Jordan suggested her too during our tutorial last week, so it wasn't just me and Harriet that saw the connection!). It was highly visual with a lot of layers composing the final piece. It was really good work and I was mainly impressed by its -very well thought through- details. Nothing was random, it was obvious that everything was well prepared and had a reason to be there - and I always admire that.
(Doug had said that she might visit again. In any case, I must get in touch with her some time either for a tutorial or an interview on her methods or, most preferably, both.)
Another piece that stroke me as relevant during the NRLA was by a company called Raravis. Again this had to do with movement/space/set exploring themes of human relations/communication difficulties, etc. although I haven't found time to investigate them a bit further yet!
At least I have things to look at...