modern dance[1][2]

Kathy Chen Ashley Wilkins

MODERN DANCE

“There are no general rules. Each work of art creates its own code.”

–Helen Tamiris

-1910s

-rebelled from traditional ballet -Germany and America

-Independence for women

BEGINNINGS OF MODERN DANCE

1) Early dancers 1910s-1930s -Isabella Duncan, Ruth St. Denis

-Denishawn2) Modern dancers 1930s-1950s

-Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey3) Later dancers 1950s-1960s

-Merce Cunningham, Alvin Ailey

PHASES (GENERATIONS)

- strive for lightness, technical skill, correctness

- 5 main positions- European fairy tales, folk

stories

- strong, sturdy, stable- The individual, less

technical- Unlimited number of

movements/ positions - Indian, middle eastern,

American stories; life in general

- -the inner or outer reality

Ballet Modern

CHARACTERISTICS

RUTH ST.DENIS

•Influence to Martha Graham•Considered to be at the front of the “modern dance revolution”•Studied many things to establish her technique

• Delsarte: “Every little movement has a meaning all its own. Every thought and feeling by some posture may be shown.”

•Used veils and scarves•Liked the approval of the public•Oriental•With husband Ted Shawn, started Denishawn Dance Company

RUTH ST.DENIS

•Curriculum was varied: • oriental dance•Spanish dance•American Indian dance•Basic ballet •Other essentials

•Tours very eclectic and held something for just about everyone•Martha Graham, Doris Humphreys, and Charles Weidman•Successful until 1931, when Denis and Shawn separated

DENISHAWN

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8XvHX1FKsY

EAST INDIAN NAUTCH DANCE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSUo3_ZtwM0

CHOEUR DANCE (DENISHAWN)

- Mother of modern dance-Technique: contraction and release

hard angles -Inner meaning and emotion-Evolving style-Evolving themes -Collaborations

MARTHA GRAHAM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOdOGFtTa7A&feature=related

LAMENTATION

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmgaKGSxQVw

APPALACHIAN SPRING

•Shocking, not beautiful

•a bit confused, but interested and enthusiastic

•allowed movement to flourish and expand

•Somewhat scandalous

REACTION

Combination of Modern and Classical:

-Emotion, telling a story -technique, gracefulness

-Natural movement, improvisation -Also uses contraction and release, breathing techniques-Interaction between dancers-Telling a story

Turn to Stone•http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qobw4zVtj9Y

CONTEMPORARY DANCE

•shoes with metal plates•Percussive rhythms •Varieties: •Classical—move upper arms/body •Hoofers—still body •Improvisation

Sir Duke•http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guBMrhG45Es

TAP

•Fast-paced, upbeat, aerobic, high energy•Somewhat suggestive•Flashy, lots of tricks•Musical theater, old jazz•Bright costumes•Improvisation

•River Deep•http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P59O4LNFEv8

JAZZ

•Low, down in the ground•Loose movements yet sharp accents•Stalls•High energy•Breaking, locking and popping varieties•Emerged in the 1970s•Hip hop music

My Chick Badhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9lGGp5eq4w

HIP HOP

•Still very angular•Much of the same characteristics•Slight ballet integration•Modern and ballet influence on each other

Eyes Openhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1Q71MvaupY

MODERN DANCE TODAY