Dance improvisation as an embodied encounter with heritage site: a case in the archaeological ruins of Liangzhu

Dance improvisation emerges as a transformative method for interpreting archaeological heritage, offering a non-representational approach that challenges conventional power dynamics in knowledge systems. A five-year study (2018–2023) at the Liangzhu Archaeological Site demonstrated how embodied encounters through dance allow participants to generate rhizomatic interpretations—fluid, interconnected understandings—that transcend politically-sacred and archaeologically-authoritative narratives. Using A/r/tography methodology, the research integrates art-making and writing, revealing that sensing, feeling, and thinking in motion produce new meanings that evade rigid frameworks. Participant reflections highlight how this approach fosters alternative perspectives, decentering established hierarchies while enriching heritage interpretation.

Yu, H., & Mei, J. (2024). Dance improvisation as an embodied encounter with heritage site: a case in the archaeological ruins of Liangzhu. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 30(5), 597–611. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527258.2024.2323534