Holding Open Space

Nicola Visser

Exposition

Holding Open Space (2025)

Nicola Visser

no media files associated

open exposition

About this exposition

This practice-as-research (PaR) project explores how we use our eyes in seeing and being seen within the context of the mover and witness roles, as practiced in the ‘open space’ segment of Contemplative Dance Practice (CDP). As a dance artist-researcher, I am interested in how a witness holds space for another in ways that go beyond the concept of ‘non-judgement’. My PaR was animated by the question: How do we hold ‘open space’ across distance? Framed in the context of Covid-19 social distancing, it opened up a research inquiry into practices of looking for the witness and leads me to propose that witnessing is not only an embodied technique but an improvisational skill. Witnessing is a co-creative act, how we look changes what we see. My study was invigorated by the theoretical frameworks and writings of key thinkers—including Erin Manning on the Minor Gesture (2016, 2022, 2023), Eugene Gendlin’s practice steps of a Process Model (2017), and Lauren Berlant on transformational infrastructure (2017)—and finds re-orientation with/in the project of decoloniality. My methodology includes studio practice of MoverWitness relation in the open space segment of CDP, parallel methods of close reading, close talking (Schoeller 2022), ‘close drawing’ and ‘close dancing’, and interviews with artists about how they use their eyes in their practices. Ultimately, my PaR project formulates a principle and practice that I term Slow Seeing. The study of looking, attention and perception lead me to detail findings that contribute to ways of seeing as an epistemological concern. The insights are arranged into three broad fields. These include, first the practice as it pertains to contemplative dance training, where I propose a unit of embodied technique called ‘easy eyes’ and an improvisation score for the witness in a MoverWitness relation. Second, a reframing of CDP as a transformational infrastructure and a place of radical hospitality for fugitive gestures. And third, reflections on the socio-political implications of this eye practice and its potential to delink dance praxis as part of the project of decoloniality. A key insight is the notion that the eye technique and practice levers a shift in the sediment of our habitual unquestioned ordering of the world and cultivates courage in doing and knowing other-wise. It is strikingly significant because it wedges up a fulcrum and shifts the way we perceive small and big things —where we sit, how we stand, which tea we buy, movement, relation, migration, borders, identity, capitalism, power paradigms, ideology, the far away-nearby, love, everything-everything. So small. It makes a rupture, a crack, a glitch, and a fertile place for lively possibility

type	research exposition
keywords	Witness, Contemplative Dance Practice, Eyes, seeing, being seen, dance, movement, improvisation, distance, eye practices, Delinking
date	27/08/2024
published	30/04/2025
last modified	30/04/2025
status	published
share status	shared with registered RC users
copyright	Nicola VIsser
license	CC BY-NC-ND
url	https://www.researchcatalogue.net/view/2982828/2982829
published in	Research Catalogue

Copyrights

name	VIDEO-2024-07-09-09-52-28
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	video

name	MW stop motion
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	video

name	PHOTO-2024-08-21-22-33-14 2
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	PHOTO-2024-08-21-22-33-14
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	PHOTO-2024-08-21-22-33-17 2
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	PHOTO-2024-08-21-22-33-17
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Lynda Barry
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	pdf

name	Eye of the photographer
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture, picture

name	spiral vid
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	video

name	Holding Open Space #1
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Holding Open Space #2
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Holding Open Space #3
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Holding Open Space #4
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Holding Open Space #5
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Holding Open Space #6
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Holding Open Space #7
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Holding Open Space #8
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	hands
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	IMG_1108
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	Moesgaard
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	IMG_1110
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	IMG_1114
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	IMG_1115
copyright	Moesgaard
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	Moesgaard
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	Moesgaard
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	Moesgaard
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	Moesgaard
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	Moesgaard
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	Moesgaard
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	Moesgaard
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	Session #2 ‘closer’ April 2022
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	video

name	Open Sidsel kikkert of Elin 2
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	Kikkert
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	kikkert
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	kikkert
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	kikkert
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	Kikkert
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	kikkert
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	kikkert
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	kikkert
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	kikkert
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	kikkert
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	kikkert
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	what I want 2
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Comments from Soft Eyes sessions
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	pdf

name	Eye practices
copyright	barbara Dilley 2020
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Interview Amanda Dinan Landscape Painter 17 November 2023
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	pdf

name	Voice Note exchange w Sean Wilson Photographer 2023
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	pdf

name	LUCIA WALKER INTERVIEW 5
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	pdf

name	Interview Barbara McCrea 2 November 2023
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	pdf

name	BARBARA DILLEY INTERVIEW 31 JANUARY 2024
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	pdf

name	BDilley and CDP
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	pdf

name	CDP Open Space description.
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	pdf

name	two hand drawing breahting
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Tossie sketch1
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	MWMW
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Under scapulae
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Oil for flesh and joints
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	I love it when you stay
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Scales of softness
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Spiders
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Essential depth delivery
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	hannah 2
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	VIDEO-2022-02-22-09-46-58
copyright	N Visser and H Loewenthal
license	All rights reserved
usages	video

name	CPH M_W 1
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Cedarberg M_W b&W
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	CPH M_W2
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	CT M_W2
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Easy Eyes
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Felix scribble 2
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Felix scribble 3
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	PHOTO-2024-09-03-15-27-55
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	PHOTO-2024-09-03-15-28-11
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	PHOTO-2024-09-03-15-29-04 2
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	PHOTO-2024-09-03-15-29-04 4
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture, picture

name	PHOTO-2024-09-03-15-29-04 5
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	PHOTO-2024-09-03-15-29-04
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Nicky Cedarberg mirrors
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	video

name	Hannah Cedarberg 2
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	video

name	CorresponDance KR&NV
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	pdf

name	Closer_2
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow, slideshow

name	CLOSER_3
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow, slideshow

name	CLOSER_4 copy
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	CLOSER_5jpeg
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	CLOSER6.1
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow, slideshow

name	CLOSER_6
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	CLOSER_7
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	CLOSER_8
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	CLOSER_9
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	CLOSER_10
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow, slideshow

name	CLOSER_11
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow, slideshow

name	CLOSER_12
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow, slideshow

name	CLOSER_12 copy
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow, slideshow

name	CLOSER_14 2
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow, slideshow

name	CLOSER_15
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow, slideshow

name	CLOSER_17
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow, slideshow

name	ONE PAGE SUMMARY
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	pdf

name	CLOSER6.1
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	hannahDOTA
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	hannah 1
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	CorresponDance KM&NV
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	pdf

name	AUDIO-2022-02-13-11-40-03 2
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	audio

name	Nicky 26 feb 2022
copyright	n visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	video

name	Screenshot 2024-09-24 at 21.48.42
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	Screenshot 2024-09-24 at 21.47.59
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	binoculars 2
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	N VIsser
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	middle eyes
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	Binoculars 1.pages
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	a manual 1. jpeg
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	A_MAnual 2
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	A_Manual 3
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	A_Manual 4
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	A_Manual 5
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	A_Manual 7
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	A_Manual 8jpeg
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	A_MANUAL 10. jpeg
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	A_ManulL9
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	A_Manual11
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	A_Manual 12
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	A_Manual 13
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	A_Manual14
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	A_Manual15
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	A_Manual16
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	minor gesture
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	nose
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	kitchen1
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	kitchen 2
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	sensorium
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	circle
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	questions
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	with
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	being ready
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	a phenomenon
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	Tossie 1
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	Tossie 2
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	tossie 3
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	fifteen
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	radical
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	what if
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	nelson
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	this
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	hold everything dear
copyright	N VIsser
license	All rights reserved
usages	slideshow

name	With()ness
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Sketch glitch
copyright	N Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Improvisation Score for the Witness
copyright	nNicola Visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

name	Easy eyes
copyright	nicola visser
license	All rights reserved
usages	picture

Comments are only available for registered users.

Research Catalogue

an international database for artistic research

Holding Open Space (2025)

Copyrights