Visual Aesthetics of Hip-hop Dance Movements in a V-shaped Stage Setup

Marisa Kempe; Lara Sophie Louise  Wunsch

doi:10.46819/TN.6.1.21-37

Marisa Kempe Leipzig University, Faculty of Sport Science https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8914-7268
Lara Sophie Louise Wunsch Leipzig University, Faculty of Sport Sciences

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46819/TN.6.1.21-37

Keywords: aesthetics, Hip-hop dance, visual perception, motion capture, stage setups

Abstract

This study investigates the aesthetic perception of V-shaped stage setups with 11 dancers performing different Hip-hop movements. It aims to determine whether observers evaluate these setups differently in terms of aesthetic appeal and whether expertise influences judgments. Understanding these evaluations is essential for enhancing the impact of dance performances. The study recruited 182 participants, including experts and non-experts. All participants rated five video stimuli showing 11 dancing avatars in a V-shaped stage setup based on their aesthetic perception. Participants completed an online questionnaire, and data were analyzed using Friedman ANOVA. Significant differences were found in aesthetic ratings across the stage setups. The stage setup featuring the Kick Ball Change Side movement received the highest rating. No significant differences were found between experts and non-experts in their aesthetic evaluation of the stage setups. The results suggest that specific dance movements, particularly the Kick Ball Change Side, are universally perceived as aesthetically pleasing. These findings offer valuable insights for choreographers seeking to enhance the visual aesthetics of dance performances. Future research should explore additional stage setups and context factors.