Exploring Modern Dance - Video Insights and Analysis

1. Modern Dance

2. Video Preview After watching this VIDEO, be prepared to discuss the following questions: • How did this era of dance reflect ideas from the Women’s Rights movement? • Why is modern dance considered a family tree? • Who are three important people in modern dance?

3. *Definition: 20th century dance form that emerged as expression of rebellion against classical ballet. • Founder: Isadora Duncan • Characteristics: The torso began to be seen as the source of the dance movement instead of the feet as in ballet • free-flowing costumes • loose hair • bare feet

4. Fundamental Ideas: • Rejection of the societal restrictions placed on women • Free flowing, creative dance style • One artist is usually both dancer and choreographer • Modern dance was originally part of the woman’s movement

5. Martha Graham “…was to modern dance what Pablo Picasso was to modern art.” • 1894-1991 • Made America the center of Modern Dance • 70 year career; 180 works • Themes: • Fusion of abstract gestures and psychological symbols • Classical tragedy

6. Martha Graham • Techniques: • Fierce pelvic contractions • Flexed feet • Contorted cupped hands • Rugged “floor work” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozu2M1nD1B4

7. Major Work: Appalachian Spring Composition: • Music composed by Aaron Copland • Set designed by Isamu Noguchi Plot: • Centers around the early 19th century wedding of a young couple embarking as homesteaders in the Pennsylvania frontier wilderness.

8. Major Work: Appalachian Spring Characters: • the brides • the Husbandman • the Pioneer Woman • a Revivalist preacher • four girl followers (of the preacher) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmgaKGSxQVw

9. Major Work: Appalachian Spring Summary: • The participants enter slowly, one at a time- with considerable space between them- almost as if they are being formally introduced. • The young couple and guests, except for the Revivalist, dance in celebration. • The husbandman and Bride then each dance a soliloquy.

10. Dance Theatre of Harlem • Arthur Mitchell, the first black dancer to perform with the New York City Ballet, founded the Dance Theatre of Harlem in 1971. • Began with 30 children in a church basement--two months later, 400 children were attending classes

11. Dance Theatre of Harlem • The interracial company won a new audience for ballet and opened opportunities for young black dancers. • Repertory expanded to encompass classical, modern, and ethnically oriented works. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsOBXQV04sk

12. Alvin Ailey • 1931-1989 Texas • Dancer and Choreographer • Trained with: - Lester Horton - Katherine Dunham - Martha Graham

13. Alvin Ailey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veRjhWO84d0 • 1958 founded his own company, the Alvin AileyAmerican Dance Theater - a dance company for African-American dancers to perform stories from African-American history • First American dance company invited to the Soviet Union.

14. Major Work: Revelations • a celebratory study of religious spirit • based on Ailey's experience of growing up in the rural South

15. Revelations Viewing Guide https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNqaixKbrjs Choreographer: Alvin Ailey Music: Traditional Gospels and Hymns Date: 1986 Performers: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (company) Style/Context: Modern Dance/African American History (slavery to freedom)