What is modern dance?
- the breakaway from Ballet
- free and relaxed dance form
- more about the personalities, emotions, and spirits of the dancer, rather than technical footwork
- music, or lack of, parallels the theme and choreography of the dance
How did Rudolf von Laban contribute to modern dance?
- dancer, choreographer, dance/movement theoretician
- believed dance should be available to everyone
What is the method that Rudolf von Laban created?
Labanotation: created a method to understand, observe, describe, and note all forms of movement
Describe the time of Labanotation.
- movement is sustained or sudden
- sustained: leisurely
- sudden: urgent
Describe the flow of Labanotation.
- movement is free or bound
- free: unrestricted
- bound: restricted
Describe the weight of Labanotation.
- movement is light or strong
- light: delicate, overcoming gravity
- strong: increasing force, pushing the body
Describe the space of Labanotation.
- movement is direct or indirect
- direct: single focus
- indirect: many foci, or shifts of attention
How did Isadora Duncan contribute to modern dance?
- mother of modern dance
- believed in free and natural movement
- many thought that she improvised and that she was wild and formless
- first person to bring modern dance to general audiences where it was accepted and acclaimed
Describe the performance, costumes, and music of Isadora Duncan.
Performance: free
Costumes: flowing
Music: symphonies
How did Martha Graham contribute to modern dance?
- many themes seen in her work and is considered one of the finest dance concert performers
- encouraged dancers to move as individuals, while staying within the standard for the given exercises and origins of the choreography
Describe the performance, costumes, and music of Martha Graham.
Performance: angular
Costume: traditional
Music: variety
Describe Martha Graham and her development of contraction and release.
- technique built on inhalation and exhalation
- in inhaling, the body has an aerial quality of release
- in exhaling, the body’s drive goes down and out in contraction
- appeared in the 1920’s and was based on her early training with Denishawn
- follows the ancient idea that anatomical changes within the body are dependant on the breath
How did Martha Graham’s teachings progress?
- Ballet barre and centre work helped to shape Graham’s teachings, eventually leading to standing falls and hip swings
- as dancer’s entered and exited Graham’s company: the movements, choreography, and visions of each piece changed (entirely women 1931, Erick Hawkins 1938, Merce Cunningham 1939)
- political insert- New School Performance
How did Doris Humphrey contribute to modern dance?
- built movement based on fall-recovery
- believed that movement was due to moments of balance and unbalance in the body
Describe Doris Humphrey and her development of fall-recovery.
- 3 components: the fall, the recovery, and the suspension at the peak of recovery
What is Doris Humphrey’s rhythm of movement based on?
- dichotomy: within the two extremes lies an infinity of action, emotional and physical
- excitement/repose
- danger/peace
- equilibrium/destruction
- fall/recovery
How did Lester Horton contribute to modern dance?
- American dancer, choreographer, teacher
- created a technique to develop the body as an instrument of movement and improve physical limitations
What was Lester Horton’s classes like?
- based on corrective exercises and human anatomy to develop strength and flexibility
- class begins standing vs. sitting
- flat backs, lateral stretches, tilt lines and lunges
Where was Lester Horton most famously recognized?
taught worldwide but most famously recognized at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (NYC)
Describe the performance, costumes, and music of Lester Horton.
performance: linear
costumes: colourful
music: drums
Name the components of a creative modern dance class.
- warm up (cardio), stretch (dynamic and static)
- technique on the floor
- technique across the floor
- improvisation
- choreography
- performance
