Monday, April 20, 2026, Ileana Berlogea Hall, 1st floor, 1 – 1:45 PM
Sandra Elizabeth Mavhima, Form and substance in choreographic art, Total Publishing, 2026
Brief presentation of the book:
The book “Form and Substance in Choreographic Art” is an accessible introduction to the world of dance, addressed to students, young artists, and all those passionate about choreography. It shows that dance is not only the arrangement of movements, but also an exploration of ideas, emotions, and symbols, always in dialogue with the social and cultural context. Readers discover how the visible form of movement intertwines with its substance – inner meaning and reflection on the world – to create a complex artistic act. The book provides key references for understanding the creative process and the choreographer’s role in balancing the concrete with the abstract. It is a pocket-sized work, useful as a beginner’s guide, but also as a tool for reflection for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the language of dance.
The book review
“Form and Content in Choreographic Art is an attractive course for first-year students of the Choreography specialization. Published in 2024, the book covers the need for complex preliminary documentation, taking the reader through the elementary concepts in the field of dance, namely: body, space, time, phrases and choreographic structures. At the same time, the reading ensures a broader familiarization with the history of choreography and related music, as well as an applicative section, consisting of 11 choreographic perspectives, with work requirements. Awareness of this set of elements helps the young disciple to understand the art of dance in depth, so that he can then experience it through his own experience.”
Ligia Fărcășel
Sandra Elizabeth Mavhima is a choreographer, researcher and teacher, currently serving as a Assistant Professor at the George Enescu National University of Arts in Iași, Romania. Holding a PhD in Cinematography and Media, her academic and artistic work explores the intersections between contemporary dance, choreographic dramaturgy and digital media. She has authored publications on choreographic language in experimental film and the role of movement analysis in contemporary performance. As a choreographer, her works have been presented in several countries, including Romania, Norway, France, Poland, Spain, Thailand, Indonesia, Lebanon, North Macedonia and others, highlighting the international scope of her artistic practice.