Presenting Presence: A Study on the Application of Pina Bausch’s Question-Based Choreographic Method in Dance Creation

As a seminal figure in Tanztheater (dance theatre), Pina Bausch brought about a fundamental shift in choreographic thinking—from the reproduction of movement to the presentation of presence. This paper examines her “question-based choreographic method” as an entry point to explore the philosophical underpinnings and artistic practices behind her creative approach. By analyzing the structural language and bodily expressions in Bausch’s representative works, the study traces how she grounded choreography in the personal experiences of dancers, using questions to provoke embodied responses. This process led to the construction of fragmented and non-linear stage structures that deeply reveal human emotions, memory, and existential conditions. Furthermore, the paper argues that Bausch’s choreographic logic holds significant implications for contemporary dance-making. It offers critical insights into reconfiguring dancer subjectivity, expanding the language of movement, and fostering collaborative creation, thus demonstrating enduring relevance and theoretical value in today’s artistic context.