Dance Research Institute

< Introduction >

Established in March 2012 with the aim to foster the research capacity of dance studies as required by the times, the Dance Research Institute of Ewha Womans University serves as a platform unifying the products of the arts, academics, and education at the Department of Dance, which was founded in 1963 as the first of its kind in Korea. The Dance Research Institute explores the challenges and possible opportunities facing the field of dance, such as innovative education and leadership, which will serve as a driving force in the growth of dance studies in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, while fostering research based on transdisciplinary studies and digital technology, regional connection and a sense of global citizenship. In addition, the institute has been building university-industry collaboration and networks to enhance the knowledge of dance and accumulated experience.

The main activities of the institute include academic and research projects, creation of dance pieces and performance activities, development and distribution of education programs, and development of dance-related cultural content. Through these activities, the institute will advance in line with modern society’s pursuit of prosperity for all humanity by presenting an academic direction for dance studies as an integrated art, contributing to the education to cultivate creativity through dance and developing content in relation to the history and culture of dance in Korea.

< Major Achievements >

1. Received the Asia Research Grant of the POSCO Asia Fellowship
In May 2017, "A study on modernity as represented in the performing arts of Northeast Asia," a study conducted by the researchers of the Dance Research Institute, was selected as a research project eligible for the Asia Research Grant of the POSCO Asia Fellowship, comprising around 15 million won. Subsequently, the Dance Research Institute and Dance & Media Research Center hosted a domestic academic symposium.

2. Hosted a domestic academic symposium and a workshop
The Dance Research Institute and Dance & Media Research Center held a domestic academic symposium under the theme of "Modernity as represented in the performing arts of Northeast Asia" in January 2018 (sponsored by the POSCO TJ Park Foundation). The Dance Research Institute provided an opportunity for convergence research, where experts from various fields presented their research, and five panelists held passionate discussions with the audience.

3. Held colloquiums and special lectures related to dance studies
The Dance Research Institute holds colloquiums and special lectures every year. In 2017, two colloquiums and three lectures were held to introduce original topics of research conducted by rising researchers. Particular attention was drawn to lectures on topics such as the post-human age, dance as experience, Malaysian dance education system, Laban's theory in college dance education, and cultural history research. Special lectures included a lecture “Dance and Sociology” by Professor SetByol Choi, who expressed her opinion on the sociology of dance, and a lecture by Professor Yeon-Kyoung Chung, who explained modernization in detail through feminist oral history, and a lecture by Professor Yeong-mi Lee on the nature of melodrama of gisaeng characters.

1. In 2018, the institute held three colloquiums and two special lectures, inviting researchers in fields related to dance studies. In these colloquiums, Professor Hyeon-jeong Go (Hanyang University) presented under the theme "Thoughts on the research methodology for the signified space expression of dance," Director Jun-ho Hwang (Space Group) on "Moving & movable architecture," and Research Fellow Ji-hye Lee (Dance Research Institute) on “Dance education in the IT era: The status of online open lectures,” all of which addressed issues that are closely relevant to current trends.

With regard to special lectures, CEO Dong-gyu Cha (Le Classic Studio) presented a media-oriented approach to dance and practical measures to utilize dance under the theme “A proposal for creating dance music content in the one-person media era.” Professor Dong Hae Shin (Ewha Womans University) explained the topic of “Creativity and mental health of artists” through a brain science approach.

4. Operated the "Children's ballet school with fairy tales" as a joint project between the Dance Research Institute and Seodaemun-gu Office
The Dance Research Institute has been operating "Children's ballet school with fairy tales" as a joint project with Seodaemun-gu Office for three years since 2016. This project was developed by the Dance Research Institute, and 963 children at 46 kindergartens and nursery schools in Seodaemun-gu have benefited to date from the art and culture education offered by the program, which will continue in 2019.

< Events including academic conferences >

1. Domestic academic symposiums and workshops
The Dance Research Institute and Dance & Media Research Center held a domestic academic symposium under the theme of "Modernity as represented in the performing arts of Northeast Asia" in January 2018 (sponsored by the POSCO TJ Park Foundation).

Topic	Presenter
A study of modernity as represented in the art activities of modern dancers from Korea, China and Japan - Focused on Choi Seung-hee, Dai Ailian, and Sada Yacco	Hyeon-jeong Kim Sang-Mi Shin
The modern stage, ideological tradition, and gender-based order	Ji-yeong Cheon
Jeongi dance performed by gisaeng and anlagmu dance performed by ordinary people in 1912	Young-Hee Kim
The neutral/androgynous beauty represented in East Asian performing arts - A comparison between Korean and Japanese theater	Sang-ho Noh
Multifaceted modernism in the traditional musical drama of Northeast Asia - Focused on Changgeuk, Peking Opera and Kabuki	Ji-hyeon Yoon Seong-a Song

2. Colloquiums and special lectures related to dance studies

The 14th Special Lecture of the Dance Research Institute May 26, 2017 (Friday) "Dance and Sociology"		The 30th Colloquium of the Dance Research Institute April 19, 2018 (Thursday) "Thoughts on the research methodology for the signified space expression of dance"
The 15th Special Lecture of the Dance Research Institute May 24, 2018 (Thursday) "A proposal for creating dance music content in the one-person media era"		The 31st Colloquium of the Dance Research Institute May 29, 2018 (Tuesday) "Moving & movable architecture"
The 32nd Colloquium of the Dance Research Institute October 18, 2018 (Thursday) "Dance education in the IT era:The status of online open lectures"		The 16th Special Lecture by the Dance Research Institute November 29, 2018 (Thursday) "Creativity and mental health of artists"

Website: http://dancerie.ewha.ac.kr/