In this study I investigate differences and similarities between contact improvisation and floor work

within contemporary dance. The aim is to explore whether a floor work class can benefit from integrating

exercises from contact improvisation.

To answer these questions I do literature studies, interviews and let a group of dancers explore it through

movement. The dancers write a self-report in the end where they reflect upon their own experience on

integrating contact improvisation into a floor class. All my analyses are done using a phenomneographical

analysis model.

The result shows that the physical work is quite similar – such as working with the physical laws and the

body’s functionality. The learning environment is different though, where it is more open and

experimental within contact improvisation.

The self-reports show that working with a partner through improvisation can help the dancers to

understand different themes within the floor work in a deeper/different way. It also creates a more playful

and easy going climate. As a pedagogue I experience that I give the participants more space to reflect

together. Difficulties that come up are that the set movement phrases get unclear and that there are many

things for the dancers to focus on.