Modern and Contemporary A Brief History: Pioneers

What is Modern? Emphasis on effort of dance Natural body movements Began in the late 1800s/early 1900s as a direct revolt against the “restrictions” of ballet Modern has a emphasis on the effort of dance- weight, space, time, flow; the Laban elements. It is rooted in natural body movements amd the key purpose is to rebel against ballet.

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 Consisted of walks, skips, jumps, and runs Died September 14, 1927 in freak accident PARIS, FRANCE — Isadora Duncan, the American dancer, tonight met a tragic death at Nice on the Riviera. According to dispatches from Nice Miss Duncan was hurled in an extraordinary manner from an open automobile in which she was riding and instantly killed by the force of her fall to the stone pavement. Affecting, as was her habit, an unusual costume, Miss Duncan was wearing an immense iridescent silk scarf wrapped about her neck and streaming in long folds, part of which was swathed about her body with part trailing behind. After an evening walk along the Promenade de Anglais about 10 o'clock, she entered an open rented car, directing the driver to take her to the hotel where she was staying.Neither she nor the driver noticed one of her scarf's loose ends was over the side of the car — caught in the rear wheel. As she took her seat in the car neither she nor the driver noticed that one of the loose ends fell outside over the side of the car and was caught in the rear wheel of the machine. Dragged Bodily From the Car. The automobile was going at full speed when the scarf of strong silk suddenly began winding around the wheel and with terrific force dragged Miss Duncan, around whom it was securely wrapped, bodily over the side of the car, precipitating her with violence against the cobblestone street. She was dragged for several yards before the chauffeur halted, attracted by her cries in the street. Medical aid immediately was summoned, but it was stated that she had been strangled and killed instantly. This end to a life full of many pathetic episodes was received as a great shock in France, where, despite her numerous eccentric traits, Miss Duncan was regarded as a great artist. Her great popularity in France was increased by the entire nation's sympathy when in 1913 her two young children also perished in an automobile tragedy. The car in which they had been left seated started, driverless, down a hill and plunged over a bridge into the Seine River. [The article continues.]

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. Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn were also instrumental in creating the legendary dance festival, Jacob's Pillow. Early Pioneers of Modern dance include: Isadora Duncan, Ruth St. Denis. These women did not want to be bound by the rules and codified steps of Ballet. They wanted to be different in movement (basis on gravity, inlike the light and airiness of ballet), attire (free flowing tunics), no shoes and no plot lines. Duncan, Humphrey and Martha Graham were inspired by Greek Mythology’s tragic lives.

Martha Graham 1894-1991 Generally accepted as the greatest single figure in American modern dance Danced with Denishawn from 1916-1923 Created “Graham technique,” One of the only codified dance techniques - gave modern dance a vocabulary 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 Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr8OqS7glxk

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 His concepts are based on kinesiology.

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 Known for decentralizing his dancers-moving them all over the stage in a random scattered way

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.

Twyla Tharp 1941-Present Studied with Graham and Cunningham Tharp works in every possible style (ballet, tap, jazz) to involve movement- she could easily make a dance out of chewing gum Created over 70 works for her own company, ballets, modern dances, Broadway shows and films Created her own movement style She won a Tony Award for Best Choreography for the Broadway Musical, Movin’ Out.

What is Contemporary? Blending of dance styles-jazz, modern, lyrical plus yoga, pilates and partnering. Emphasizes the character in the dance- the intense emotions Rebel against Lyrical because it is often “too ballet”, but still calls attention to lyrics and intention of the song. In Europe, it is called “Contemporary Jazz” but in the US, the “jazz” is dropped and it is just called “Contemporary” It’s been labeled “A routine incorporating lyrical or jazz movements that is fuesed with modern elements… it draws on modern techniques as well as newer philosophies of movement. It is an art form that takes many forms allowing the choreographer to evolve their own way of moving by experimenting with current ideas. These ideas can be taken from music and is fused with modern techniques/elements.