Abstract:
This thesis explores the importance of the interrelationships between three creative processes undertaken in New Zealand and Taiwan contexts within Dance, Cultural Understanding and International Diplomacy - from a Pacific perspective and through a self-auto-narrative. The research addresses the questions: ‘How might a creative process empower cultural understanding?’ and ‘How might such processes relate to the context of international diplomacy?’ The personal reflections analyse how artistic processes can create a sense of mutual cultural understanding between the choreographer and the dancer(s) in a dance studio environment, as well as between the performers and an audience within a theatre setting. In support of this creative practice research, the outcome of one creative process is demonstrated through the video footage of my Pacific Contemporary dance work ‘Pou’ which took place in Auckland, New Zealand. During the three creative processes, numerous issues arose through rehearsing, performing and learning movement as participants required diplomatic-like skill sets in order to settle debates, conflicts and misunderstandings. The narrations provide an opportunity to identify and understand the similarities during the facilitation of the creative process, and the transferable skills required within international diplomacy.