Chapter 5 Flashcards
Why my Derk dance was created?
Revolt again contemporary ballet
Where is began
Germany and America
19th century movement theorist
Delsarte & jaques-Dalcroze
Delsarte
Developed a system of categorizing movement and excessive to enhance freedom and relaxation.
Deal rose
Created a system of improving expressiveness and musically & “ eurythmics “ ( music visualization )
Pioneers and forerunners
Isador Duncan Loie Fuller Ruth st. Denis Ted Shaw (Denishawn high school ) Rudolf Von Laban
Characteristics of modern dance
Body and limbs free, often barefoot , bare legs, flexed feet, parallel feet vs. turned out.
Inspired by emotional states, connecting with nature, expressiveness (trees, ocean )
Striped all dance of previous dance techniques
Often wore tunics
Lack of storyline and characterization
Isadora Duncan
Mother of modern dance
Trained in ballet
Inspired by movement of trees and ocean,
“Duncan style “
Loie Fuller
First dance to strip corset and shoes
Focused on shifting play of colors and lights on costumes ( constant movement in arms)
Achieved fame in Paris
Very emotional , inspired by technology and science
Rudolf Von Laban
Germany , devised system of analyzing and notating dances and all movement
Spearheaded dance form
Influence by physical culture of humanity , believed dance reflected ordinary life.
Ruth st. Denis, Ted Shawn (Denishawn )
Incorporated ethnic dance forms , large cast , elaborate costumes and sets,
Influenced heavily by Egyptian culture
Purpose of school : educate dancers mind body spirit.
Studied Delsarte’s gestures and movement analysis
Adapted to where they performed.
Denishawn
Created new audience for modern dance in US
music visualization
Used American composers and folk music
Brought men to modern dance ( respect masculinity)
Modern dance
Desire to return t expressive motivations for dance
“New and old dance”
Based on natural and spontaneous movement
Martha Graham
Devised system of muscular tension and relaxation ( contraction and release)
Ritual in culture, religion, history , Greek tragedy , psyche.
Most danced centered around psychological themes, symbolism
Characteristics of Martha Graham
Codified syllabus
Spasm and resistance and fear into themes
Modern composers
Straight legs and relaxed hands
Symbolic props and sets
First choreographer to use minority’s regularly in her company
Dorris Humphrey
Started school with Charles Weidman after leaving Denishawn
Devised system of fall and recovery , based on body’s natural reaction to gravity
Group dynamics and music visualization
Wrote book “art of ma,I got dances”
Known for her Duncan-esque lyricism and dealing with human relation ships
Choreographed: water study, air for a g string, the shakers
Charles Weidman
Helped develop Humphrey - Weidman school
Known for dramatic and numerous character dance studies / on,meets of human life
Choreographed: lynchtown, flickers, Weidman
Lester Horton
Developed system of technique that emphasized strong , fluid torso and ease of movement.
Pieces often dealt with social problems
Mary Wingman
Student of Laban
Struggled in her works
First choreographer to perform to silences or add music after cheer graphs was complete.
Hanna Holm
Student of wingman and Laban
First modern choreographer to find success is choreographing Broadway musicals
Post modern movement
Began in late 1940's - 1970's Use of traditional forms in new ways Fusion periods Use of irony Visual metaphors became I,portent in storylines Mix genres Spontaneous and improvisational
Merce Cuningham
Student of Martha Graham
Most influential post modern choreographer
Focused on torso , spine, limbs
“Movement for movements sake “
Developed “ chance dance “ semi improvisational
Joes Limon
Considered greatest American dancer in his field
Style : dramatic, versatile, abstract, lyrical
Created own style and aesthetic for dance at Juliard
Alwin Nikolais
Student of Hanya Holm
Strong visual artist
Created stage environment using lighting costumes sets and music
Erik Hawkins
Husband and dance partner of Martha Graham,also dance with Balanchine
Used American literary and historical themes in works
Pre-cursor of spoken text dance
Used only 20th century composer
Paul Taylor
Worked with Graham , Cunningham, and Balanchine
Left Graham to start his own company
Characteristics: classical , repetition, limited number of steps, comedic gestures, use of pedestrian costuming
Trisha Brown
Began dancing with Judson dance theatre
Rejected society’s. Conventions in dance
Performed j. Traditional and non traditional spaces
Gave dancers problems to solve who,e dancing
Twyla Tharp
“Stage mom”
Studied withCunningham and Taylor
Started her own company in 60’s
Characteristics: constant motion and movement, formations appear and vanish quickly , complex phrasing with music, relaxed torso ,dynamic limbs, poker face
Choreographed: bakers dozen, moving out
Katherine Dunham
Classical trained in ballet Traveled to west Africa and Haiti Work consisted of Afro- Caribbean and modern movement Articulated with torso and shoulder isolation Opened Dunham school in NYC1945 "Mother of black dance" Greatly influenced by jazz Created own movement technique and vocal
Alvin Ailey
Student of lester Horton
Started company in 1950’s aliv American dance forms theatre
Combined jazz and world ethnic dances
Goal was to make dance accessible to all audiences
Choreographed Revelations
Taller Beatty
Student of Dunham
Formed own touring company
Choreographed blend of modern and jazz with African American themes
Garth Fagan
Jamaican born Studied with Graham, Ailey, Primus Founded Garth Fagan Dance Blends if modern, jazz, and world dance Choregraphed lion king
Pearl Primus
Brought attention to African and Afro-Caribbean dance
Developed repertory dances based on African traditions and mastered native dances of villages
Choreographed strange fruit
Modern dance today
Contemporary choreographers cross over between multiple genres
Line between classical ballet and modern is fuzzy
