preview

Essay about Dance

Decent Essays

1. What are the innovations of Isadora Duncan, Denishawn, Martha Graham, and
Cunningham. Discuss these in relation to style, technique and theory.

Many Historians say that Isadora Duncan was the first dancer to present “modern dancing” to the public. Duncan felt that the pointe shoes and costumes that ballerinas wore were to restrictive. She began to dance in a way that seemed to be more natural to her. Her inspirations came from the movements of the tress, the ocean and other forms from nature. Her techniques included hopping, swaying, skipping and running. She felt these type of movements were natural and expressive. Also, the history of the Greeks inspired her to dance barefoot and wear tunics similar to …show more content…

She would use themes relating to American life, Greek Mythology, American Pioneers and American Indians. Learning About Dance pg.63&71
Merce Cunningham was the first choreographer to not use “traditional” choreographic methods. He developed a new style of choreography. He did not believe dance had to have a certain storyline or theme. His theory of dance revolved around the idea of “movement for movements sake.” He felt that any part of the body can be used and the music, costumes design, lighting and the movements all have their own identity. He thought a dance can be about anything , just as long the main idea is about the human body moving.. In his dances he uses “chance” and “indeterminacy” methods. He uses these methods because he feels it helps him to break old habits and create exciting and new movements in dances. By using these methods what a dance is one night might be something else by the next night. Learnig About Dance pg.65-66

2. In depth discuss one of these artistic personas (one of four). Include the art themes, and society of the time, as well as the particular contribution to dance history.

Modern dance began in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. It came directly as a revolt,what was understood as the “restrictions” of ballet. Isadora Duncan, (1877-1927), is given the credit of being the first dancer to present “modern dancing”. Other dancers, such

Get Access