Towards relational dance theory

The article proposes a relational approach to dance history both as subject matter and academic discipline. In reference to Małgorzata Leyko's seminal "Dance in the Land of Utopia", which discusses the influence of Lebensreform ideas on modernist arts, most of all theatre and dance, the author postulates combining artistic and academic research even further than in modernism, in the process shaping culture of cooperation rather than competition, not only in the academic field. By looking at historical material, including contributions to dance theory and practice from Laban, Steiner, Jaques-Dalcroze and Schlemmer, studied at depth by Leyko, the article theorizes a practice-oriented approach to dance history prioritizing relations over subjective positions and process over product. As such, the text develops Leyko's transpersonal, community-oriented way of conducting research, which is very effective in stimulating not only internal cooperation within the academic field but also between researchers and artists.