CHOREOGRAPHING MEANING: THE ROLE OF SIGNS AND SYMBOLS IN DAYO LIADI'S DANCE WORKS

Contemporary Dance choreography is traceable to and Symbols, contemporary dance genre in Nigeria and has produced various dance Techniques, techniques and new sets of dancers. Dayo Liadi s one of the leading Contemporary dance dancers/choreographers in Nigeria dance industry; he uses signs and choreography, Olori symbols as a medium of communication for the purpose of conveying oko and Freedom significant personal and cultural messages through his choreographic dance works. However, the audience hardly respond appropriately to the dance presentations and techniques due to their lack of/ or knowledge of the dance code in form of signs and symbols. Hence the need to examine the use of signs and symbols in Dayo Liadi’s creative works. This paper adopted the quantitative research method involving participant observation and case study’s content analysis through previews of selected choreographic films of Dayo Liadi. Major findings revealed Dayo Liadi uses traditional element in the application of signs, symbols; movements, space, costumes, props and music to depict mood and emotion that brings self-fulfilment and self- discovery. The paper recommends that use of signs and symbols as dance techniques should be replicated by dance practitioners and scholars to boast understanding and further expansion in the cultural and dance industries in Nigeria