Law of Correspondence: To each spiritual function responds a function of the body, (…) any “function of the body” cannot help but reflect (...) aspects of the “spiritual function” (François Delsarte, 1865).

In other words, the Law of Correspondence is dealing with the tangible and the intangible, and as Delsarte states, movement and meaning.  And furthermore, specifically the relationship between the two.  So, if “gesture is the chief organic agent” (Delsarte 1893), how well can it really communicate?  Out of context, what does gesture say if it speaks at all?   This solo is interested in using the fundamentals laid out by followers of Delsarte’s work to determine what can be communicated with the body alone, which can only be judged in the audiences’ perception of the meaning behind the movement.  Using the Ninefold Accord drawn by followers of Delsarte, as the starting point, this solo seeks to investigate the boundary of gesture and meaning. Is there an innate or intuitive use of the body during expression that is dependable, or overtime has our society helped to change the universal meanings placed on the body and understood by the viewer?

Michael O'Connor