Newswise — When President Obama gives his State of the Union address, "watch for his serious side" to appear in his voice and gestures, say movement experts Karen Bradley of the University of Maryland and Karen Studd of George Mason University.
Especially notice the reach of Obama's arms, the sideways movement of his eyes and a subtle grimace, the two movement experts add. Read their complete preview below.
Karen Bradley, associate professor of dance, directs graduate studies in dance at the University of Maryland. She also is the director of research for the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies in New York.
Karen Studd, associate professor of dance at George Mason University, is director of the Modular Training Program in Laban Movement Studies.
Both professors are Certified Movement Analysts.
Preview of President Obama's Nonverbal State of the UnionBy Karen Bradley and Karen Studd
Barack Obama is not smiling much these days. From the time when he swung expansively through the room space, attending to the nearby and distant folks, his world has become greatly reduced.
Rarely do his elbows reach and extend, connecting to new ideas off in the future. Instead, his movement is weighted, sometimes with impact and sometimes almost wearily. His arms remain close to his sides, extending only forward, as if reaching partway to his audience, but not quite crossing the divide. He is in the moment, closely held.
His eyes focus first to one side and then the other, as if he is negotiating between two disconnected groups, and he is careful not to spend too long looking at one side at the expense of the other.
His pacing has picked up; there is a ratatat rhythm that has taken over the usual swing tempo, with its pauses and lingerings and peaks. The ratatat can feel like hammering. But it is energetic.
Barack Obama is not upbeat. He seems to be carrying more and yet, expressing less. At times, he can seem glib, rushing through his presentation. At other times the thoughfulness we saw in the campaign reappears.
He often grimaces subtly, especially at the end of his message, as if he has a bad taste in his mouth. He is not impatient, but he is careful.
What can we expect to see Wednesday for the State of the Union? Watch for the serious man, navigating forward, in ever narrowing channels, glancing side to side, seeking balance in a world off kilter.
RSS