Weight describes the relationship a body has to gravity and force. At the Strong pole, movement is powered, grounded, and intentional — the body engages mass and momentum deliberately. At the Light pole, movement is buoyant, fine, and barely present. In landscape data, Weight is read from the magnitude of acceleration changes in motion vectors: a canopy under storm load moves with Strong quality; pollen drifting moves Light.
Time describes a body's relationship to duration and urgency. Sudden movement is explosive, impulsive, and condensed — it accelerates quickly and changes without warning. Sustained movement is deliberate, gradual, and continuous — it resists the pressure of time. In landscape data, Time is read from the rate of change in motion vector direction: a gust hitting a canopy creates Sudden movement; a tide rising reads as Sustained.
Space describes a body's relationship to its path through the environment. Direct movement follows a single, unwavering line — it is focused, channelled, and single-pointed. Indirect movement meanders, explores, and adjusts — it is flexible and multi-directional. In landscape data, Space is read from the angular spread of motion vectors: water constrained by a channel reads Direct; wind across an open plain reads Indirect.
Flow describes the continuity and control of movement. Free flow is released, outpouring, and difficult to stop — once initiated it carries through. Bound flow is controlled, restrained, and held — movement can be arrested at any point. In landscape data, Flow is read from the variance of motion vector continuity across frames: open water in wind reads Free; vines under trellis constraint read Bound.