Modern Dance free essay sample

What is Modern Dance? Modern dance in my eyes is a form of dance which focuses on the serious expression of the inner emotions, using a free-flowing, interpretive style, rather than following the rigid rules characteristics of many dance disciplines. When modern dance first developed at the turn of the 20th century, it was considered extremely radical and iconoclastic; over the years since, modern dance has become more closely mingled with other disciplines like jazz dance, ballet, and tap, and some dancers work in both modern and classical dance styles, drawing techniques from both. The turn of the 20th century was a generally iconoclastic era, as life in Europe and the United States underwent some dramatic shifts. Industrialism was on the rise, many nations participated in the First World War, and society was rapidly changing. As the rules of life shifted underfoot, some dancers began to feel that the formal rules of classical ballet were too restricting, and they began to develop their own style of free- flowing dance, which came to be known as â€Å"modern† dance, to differentiate it from classical ballet. We will write a custom essay sample on Modern Dance or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In modern dance performance, the dancer is often barefoot or wearing soft shoes. He or she moves in a free, almost improvisational style, and it is common to see controlled falls and other interesting interplays of body weight and gravity. Unlike ballet, which reaches for the stars with leaps and high kicks, modern dance often lingers near the ground, especially in a piece heavily influenced by psychology and intense emotional states. Modern dance is ever changing and always evolving. Its pioneering movement which is constantly absorbing new forms. Also throughout the 20th century there have been several significant changes in the world of dance, from the pioneers of modern dance, the expressionist movement in Germany and the influence of African Americans. Modern dance reflects and inspires society; it encompasses many different styles and cultures and continues to move in different directions, changing conventional roles of race, sexuality and gender. Modern dancers can come from any training background, ranging from classical ballet to break-dancing, and they integrate bodywork techniques such as yoga and Pilates into their dance, along with systems such as the Alexander Method. The contemporary style places a heavy emphasis on the connection between mind and body, with dancers being encouraged to explore their emotions through dances that push against traditional boundaries. This style of dance often involves a great deal of playing with balance, floor work, fall and recovery, and improvisation. While ballet follows a strict structure of steps and strives for a feeling of lightness, modern dance nurtures a freer style and responds to the pull of the earth. Projecting a feeling of weight, modern dancers fall to the floor, move close to the ground then overcome gravity by rising up and regaining balance. Rejecting the formality of tutu and toe shoes, they dance in bare feet and simple costumes. Rather than portraying idealized fairy tale creatures, they retain their own personalities. Martha Graham, the mother of modern dance in America, created a technique based on the twisting of the torso and the powerful contractions and releases of the pelvis. Other distinctive styles were developed by inventive choreographers such as Doris Humphrey. Post -modern choreographers focus on everyday movements performed in gym clothes and tennis shoes. Modern companies present eclectic programs that mix modern dance with elements of ballet, jazz, martial arts and national traditions. The audience need not identify the style to enjoy the show, but its fun to try to pick out influences that inspire the choreographer. Modern Dance free essay sample What is modern dance? Modern dance is For some people it simply means not classical ballet, by which they mean not rooted in an established academic code of movement. This usage, however, lumps together genres that are better understood in their particularity such as Post Modern Dance and New Dance. Modern Dance can now be used as a historic term referring to a particular group of choreographers and the tradition of dance values they established. the term is used to describe a variety of styles that developed in the early 20th century as a reaction to classical ballet. Its exponents viewed classical ballet as decadent and moribund. They believed that ballet had drifted away from the prime motives of dance and had become little more than a bourgeois confection. Traditionalists retaliated by referring to modern dance as barefoot ballet. This was the debate that informed the breakaway movement we now refer to as modern dance. We will write a custom essay sample on Modern Dance or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page How and why did it begin The turn of the 20th century, many dance artists were beginning to rebel against the constraints of classical ballet. They wished for a dance form where emotions, feelings and ideas could be readily expressed, and were more important than tricks and technical virtuosity. New and abstract forms in the worlds of music, theatre and visual art influenced these artists as well, and so modern dance, a truly American art form was born. Modern dance has continued to grow and develop over the past 100 years. The founders There are many founders, people have different opinions on who actually started it. But heres some that stand out. Isadora Duncan, Ruth St. Denis, and Martha Graham Isadora Duncan, Dancer, adventurer, revolutionist, ardent defender of the poetic spirit, Isadora Duncan has been one of the most enduring influences on 20th century culture. Ironically, the very magnitude of her achievements as an artist, as well as the sheer excitement and tradgedy of her life, have tended to dim our awareness of the originality, depth and boldness of her thought. Ruth St. Denis, dancer and choreographer, was born in Newark and educated in Somerville. She left a lasting mark on the development of modern dance. She was particularly interested in exotic lands and the dance steps, costumes and settings associated with them, as well as in using dance to explore spirituality. In 1914, she teamed up with the dancer Ted Shawn (who later became her husband) to form the Denishawn Company, which performed many works derived from Asian and Anglo-European sources. Doris Humphrey and Martha Graham were among her students. She had a major impact on ballet and modern dance. Martha Graham, impact on dance was staggering and often compared to that of Picassos on painting, Stravinskys on music, and Frank Lloyd Wrights on architecture. Her contributions transformed the art form, revitalizing and expanding dance around the world. In her search to express herself freely and honestly, she created the Martha Graham Dance Company, one of the oldest dance troupes in America. As a teacher, Graham trained and inspired generations of fine dancers and choreographers.