THE ARTISTIC-EXPRESSIVE DIMENSION OF GYMNASTICS FOR ALL

Abstract

The expressive and poetic dimension of Gymnastics for All (GfA) is often recognized in choreographies performed at gymnastics festivals, emphasising its communicative and referential function. The aim of this study was to discuss the artistic-expressive dimension of GfA based on Pierre Parlebas’ theory and in the sociological notion of sportivisation. The particular and unfinished sportivisation of the GfA process includes the absence of institutionalised gesture codes, characterising the artistic-expressive dimension as a "potency", which therefore may or may not be part of GfA's activities, according to the decision of each group. This analysis allows us to distinguish GfA from other artistic sports, such as rhythmic gymnastics and figure skating, and from other art forms, such as dance and circus.