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A constructive and open discussion or how we tested the DasArts feedback method
Jelena:
The DasArts feedback method is a structured way of giving feedback to an artist that has been developed by the DasArts Master of Theatre program in Amsterdam. I first heard about it and took part in one feedback session during the German Dance Platform in Hamburg this February and it got me interested.
As a dance writer I sometimes find myself in a situation when I need to moderate the artist post-performance talks with the audience, which can often be a peculiar event. Usually the moderator is the one who does all the talking with the artist, most of the audience keeps silent, except one person who keeps giving his/her opinion without asking one single question. Everything is pro forma, no discussion is developed, neither does the audience get more real insight about what they’ve just witnessed, neither does the artist get real feedback on what his/her work communicates.
Even though the DasArts feedback method was developed as a means to help artists develop their ideas during the creation process, I find the method to also be a nice and fun tool to help initiate a constructive dialogue between the artist and the audience after the piece is performed officially. Its clear but open structure allows for everybody to articulate their experience without being judgmental and by doing that they are actively participating in communicating ideas which came about in the piece.
So, after coming back from Hamburg, and since we are part of the Communicating Dance program after all, Martina Nevistić, a Croatian dancer and choreographer and myself decided to try out the method ourselves. Since Martina is developing her new piece she wanted to get some constructive feedback from her colleagues so we hosted one open feedback session in the Zagreb Dance Centre.
For the first time I actually felt comfortable in being a moderator since there were no awkward silence moments when you turn to the audience asking – are there any questions? I was glad to see everybody really participating and playing at the same time with no deadly serious art talk, which most of the audience actually doesn’t understand, but we encouraged actual communication.
Martina:
Sincerely, that morning when I woke up, I was asking myself way am I doing this to myself? To invite people to practically see one of the rehearsals, to see something before anything is done? I wanted to show a part of the process, but again I was confused way I am I doing it. Some people were invited but I didn’t know who will come. Over coffee before the presentation, Jelena and I went through the steps of the method and this gave me some focus.
There were about 15 people, some friends, and some colleagues. Jelena opened presentation exposing my question to the audience. After the showing we set in a half circle and Jelena moderated it through. As it went on, I was quiet. It was interested to hear what did people find good and what they liked; also I felt a lot of respect. It was constructive to hear what would they like to see more, also for some things I already new on what I have to work more, for some things I concluded that there are different points of perspectives or aesthetics.
The part of the process with post-its, where people can express their associations, is fun, and it’s cool to hear how viewer’s imagination works. Afterwards, we went on to the part with open questions, where I felt that people were curious what I finally have to say about what they have seen. So, this was the first time I talked. In that moment I had a feeling that things have settled in people’s minds, especially because what they saw is just a part of a process. This was an open space to articulate verbally what I wanted, what my aim is, what I was producing and wanting to produce.
Letters were really supportive, some of them with tips, some with small drawings and expressed feelings. I found this method affirmative and constructive, also very playful for the audience. The question mark I had over my head in the morning disappeared, thanks for this comfortable way of getting feedback and answers. It was a very cool experience.
