Social media and choreographic practice: Creative tools for collaboration, co-creation and creative practice

Abstract

The challenge of writing about online social networks is that they are in constant flux, with new platforms emerging whilst older ones that once seemed established are closed. Therefore, rather than focusing on the platforms themselves, this chapter focuses on the different uses of online social networks within choreography, from early uses of Facebook to the more recent utilization of Instagram and Tik Tok and by doing so offers some thoughts and approaches that will remain pertinent and helpful in the future. Over the last couple of decades, a variety of online social networks have been developed, building on the ideological and technical foundations for Web 2.0, to enable the creation and exchange of user-generated content. Over this time, a growing number of dance companies have explored the potential of social media platforms with their choreographic practice to create online collaborative spaces for the development of new work and, as patterns of cultural consumption have changed, as platforms for the distribution and reception of new work as well. This chapter will be structured around a number of key case studies, discussing and analysing key works to draw out common themes and approaches