modern and contemporary dance

1. MODERN AND
CONTEMPORY
DANCE

3. MODERN DANCE
Was born in America during the turn of 20th
century when number of choreographers and
dancers rebelled against the two forms of dance
that were prevalent at the time, ballet and
vaudeville.
They rejected what they interpreted as the rigid
and imperialistic of nature of ballet and they
wanted to be taken seriously as artists rather than
be seen simply as entertainers.

4. Modern Dance
A Brief History: Pioneers

5. What is Modern?
•The rebellion
against ballet
•Emphasis on effort
of dance
•Natural body
movements
•Began in the late
1800s/early 1900s

6. Isadora Duncan 1877-1927 “Mother of Modern Dance”,
Laid the foundation of modern
dance
 Believed art was about
personal expression
 No more corsets and slippers,
Duncan was the first to rebel
against ballet and use free
flowing movement and
barefoot technique
 Typical attire was a simple
tunic and bare feet
 Was seen as vulgar almost like
nudity
 Style focused on the chest and
consisted of walks, skips,
jumps, and runs
 Died September 14, 1927 in
freak accident (Death by Scarf)

7. Ruth St. Denis
1879-1968
In 1938, Ruth St. Denis founded
one of the first dance departments in
America at Adelphi University.
She started a dance company
called Denishawn, with her husband,
Ted Shawn
Martha Graham was one of her
more famous pupils.
Her choreography was influenced
by the East and the Orient.
She is known for her ornate
costumes and set pieces.
Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn
were also instrumental in creating
the legendary dance festival, Jacob's
Pillow.

8.  Generally accepted as the
greatest single figure in
American modern dance
 Danced with Denishawn from
1916-1923
 Created “Graham technique,”
This style focuses on the
pelvis and spine/abs.
 Dances were about heroic
women in myths and history
 Her choreography was often
used to express her passions
and rages.
 Graham developed the
principles of “contraction” and
“release”
 Graham technique was
notable for its nervous
energy. It was based on a
study of breathing
Martha Graham
1894-1991

9. Prominent Modern Artists
Doris Humphrey
 Created theory of fall and recovery
Charles Weidman
 Known for abstract, rhythmic pantomime
Hayna Holm
 German modern artist
 Brought modern dance to Broadway
musicals

10. Erick Hawkins 1909-1994

 Joined the Graham
company in 1938 he
became her principle
partner
 Married Martha
Graham
 Created his own
technique, softening
the Graham
technique, infusing it
with nature imagery;
the moon, stars,
desert, and sea

11. Merce Cunningham 1919-2009
 Member of the Graham
company from 1939-1945
 Most influential of Graham’s
students
 Mixed elements of music, set,
costumes, and dance- shifting
their relationship
 Applied philosopher/composer
John Cage’s theory that “any
sound can be music” to dance
and realize that any movement
can be dance
 Dance by Chance
 Known for decentralizing his

12. Alvin Ailey 1931-1989 The first to give black
dancers and
choreographers
opportunities in concert
dance.
 Ailey began his company by
looking for dancers with
unique qualities-not only
strong personalities but also
impeccable technique.
 His choreography related to
the prejudices he endured
as an African American and
his struggles growing up in
a small East Texas town
after being abandoned by
his father at a young age.
 His move famous piece is
“Revelations.” Revelations

13. Pilobolus (dance
company)
 Connecticut based
company of
choreographers
and dancer-athletes
committed to
developing original
works each year.
 Make shapes out of
their bodies