Research into the Female and their Participation in Pole Dance Compared to the Art of Chinese Pole Performance.

Abstract

The following dissertation was an investigation into the perceived differences between Chinese pole and Pole dance. Chinese pole is viewed as an artistic performance of the human form, whereas pole dance is mostly associated with the exposure of the female body in the sex industry. The association of the female body with Pole dance is subject to many criticisms suggesting that pole dance is degrading to women and a grim activity (Mitchell, 2010). Despite both activities many similarities, these assumptions exist and the female is often subject to slander when stating her participation in pole dance, even as just a form of exercise. This study proposes to investigate and explore the art involved with these two performance acts, comparing and contrasting the variables of their performance in order to explore ideas around the sexualisation of the female body in performance. By use of Adshead’s (1988) movement analysis, this investigation aims to uncover the differences in the movements by analysing video footage of three pole dance performances and three Chinese pole performances. During this analysis, the components of the performance such as the movement, dancers, visual and aural elements will be analysed in order to discover the differences and similarities indicating factors which contribute to the perception of these activities.