http://www.qualiadancetheater.com
We are a relatively new company, forming steadily with purpose!
But what is this "Qualia" business you might ask?
Qualia (pronounced kwalie) is a term most widely used in philosophy. In simple terms, it is a name for the feeling of a sensory experience. When you look at something brown, it will be a different experience than when you look at something turquoise. When you feel something bumpy, it will be different than feeling something smooth. It can be explained in more detail here: http://www.biotele.com/qualia.htm (I picked this one because it starts with a picture of a unicorn disguised as a horse)
and then there is always the good ol' wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qualia
I like the idea of qualia. It is completely unique from person to person. What I experience in my world, can only be experienced by me. Which really does point out that your reality is what you make it, because reality doesn't actually exist. So if you have a choice, why not make it beautiful!
I also like sensations. It's what dancing is all about for me. I used to think that dancing was about expressing an emotion. And it can be, but I didn't realize that by simply having a real experience on a stage in front of people, it is expressing something more powerful than trying to emote a fake feeling. I think dance is important because people are reminded of their own bodies, and what they are feeling. People are very ignorant of their bodies in today's world and it makes wonder how they get by. People are covered in gravity.
Also, Qualia Dance Theater thought this was the perfect name for us because of how we wish people to view our work. After a performance, there is not one person who "got it" and one person who "didn't". Just as two people can see something different in the same sunset, we hope and encourage audience members to see what they see, feel what they feel, without correction on their own thoughts.
More to come soon!
Christina Nova
