Primitivism, Modernism, and Dance Theory by Marshall Cohen Presented by Luke Borgan

Class Aims To Identify principles of Primitivism in Dance To Identify principles of Modernism in Dance To review and discuss Cohen’s arguments against the two theories To stimulate discussion about Cohen’s essay.

Class Outline Review key terms-primitivism, modernism,- 5 min. Discuss Cohen’s Argument’s – 5 min. Interactive discussion – 5 min.

What is Primitivism? A Synthesis of Arts? According to Cohen, Primitivism draws on the most potent rescources of all the major artistic media pg116

What is Modernism?  Art that does not borrow from other art forms  Art that remains within it’s own domain

In Greenberg’s Analysis, what are the three main characteristics of modernism?

Discussion Question What are some of Cohen’s arguments against Primitivism?

Discussion Question What are some key points in Cohen’s argument against Levin and Modernism?

Concluding Question Do you agree with Cohen, that neither primitivist theories nor modernist theories adequately account the central manifestations and achievements of dance as we know it? Why or why not?

Works Cited Marshall Cohen, “Primitivism, Modernism, and Dance Theory” from What Is Dance? Roger Copeland and Marshall Cohen, Eds. Oxford University Press, N.Y. 1983, pg