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Modern dance is one of America’s most important forms of art and culture. This type of dance was born in Europe at the end of the XIX century and quickly gained popularity in America. At the beginning of the XX century, American choreographers and dancers contributed to the development of modern dance by adding their ideas and techniques. The active development of the movement continued in America, later influencing the entire American choreography. Art Nouveau emerged due to modern art, architecture, and fashion development.
This dance style was marked by new trends in choreography and a non-widespread origin: the founders and successors were women. Dancers Ruth Saint-Denis and Doris Humphrey have created a new dance school based on the rejection of classical canons, embodying new themes and plots with original dance and plastic means (Sarkar Munsi 82). The task of modern dance was to reflect the inner state, emotions, and feelings. Thus, most modern dance styles were formed under the influence of some clearly stated philosophy or a certain world vision.
There are several reasons why women have developed this direction. Firstly, the beginning of the 20th century was a time of social and political changes. Thus, the suffragette movement was gaining momentum, and there was a struggle for the visibility of women in the political and cultural field (Brain 1515). Art, and dancing in particular, has become a way for many women to express themselves and show their individuality. Secondly, in the dominant ballet at that time, women were often given unimportant roles, extras, or minor characters. Thus, women in this genre of art were relegated to the background. The emergence of modern dance allowed them to be at the center of performances and performances and fully reveal their talents. Moving away from traditional art forms, women became able to create new forms that did not rely on the previous ones. In modern dance, women no longer want to conform to the old rules and be in second place. That is why this dance style was created and continued mainly by women.
As expected, modern dance has met with a lot of criticism for excessive radicalism and license. Previously, ballet and other classical dance styles were created according to strict rules of style and structure with many necessary systems and restrictions. Art Nouveau, on the contrary, expressed real, unwritten feelings and emotions of people, opening up more space for creativity and individuality. The dancers experimented with new techniques, such as loose limbs, contrasting dynamics, weighted falls, and sharp contracts. One of the main characteristics of modern dance has become the expression in dance not only of a written story or fairy tale but also of more serious, vital, and large-scale ideas (Brain 1515). Modern dance has often been used to explore questions of gender and identity, and to challenge traditional gender roles and expectations. It has also been used to address political and social issues, such as war, poverty, and discrimination. Choreographers and dancers have used the art form as a platform to raise awareness and spark change on these issues. Many Modern dance works also explore the broader human experience, including questions of love, loss, mortality, and the meaning of life.
In America, the formation process of modern dance is primarily associated with the name of the dancer and choreographer Ruth Saint-Denis, who began her creative activity as part of various dance ensembles. In her works, she expressed her interest in the East. Such parameters characterized her choreography as lyrics, spirituality, subtlety, and sensuality. Ruth Saint-Denis opened her modern dance school “Denishone” in 1915 (Sarkar Munsi 86). Famous choreographers and performers like Charles Weidman, Doris Humphrey, and Martha Graham studied at this school. Thanks to this school, Art Nouveau gradually began to change from an experimental direction into a certain dance system with its own rules and techniques.
One of the most famous American dancers was Doris Humphrey, a student of Ruth Saint-Denis, who opened her dance school in America at 19. Humphrey’s work was different from what already existed in the Denishone repertoire. In 1923, she staged the dance “Sonata Tragica,” performed without musical accompaniment. At the heart of her work, D. Humphrey used the fall-and-recovery principle, which today is one of the fundamental principles in the theory of modern dance. Humphrey was a highly respected teacher and mentor; many of her students later became prominent figures in the Modern dance movement. She helped to create a sense of community and common purpose among modern dancers, which helped to maintain the movement for many years (Sarkar Munsi 87). Humphrey’s work also emphasized the importance of the relationship between music and dance. She worked closely with composers and musicians, creating works that seamlessly combined movement and sound. Her works, such as “The Shakers” and “The Day Upon a Mountain,” showcased her unique style and paved the way for future generations of Modern dancers.
In conclusion, modern dance is a dynamic and influential art form that has significantly impacted the world of American dance and beyond. By focusing on individual self-expression, experimentation, and the transmission of social themes and problems, modern dance has helped to break the boundaries of traditional dance and create a new form of artistic expression. From its inception in the early 20th century to its ongoing evolution today, modern dance has been shaped by a rich history of innovative choreographers, dancers, and thinkers who have used movement to explore the human experience, challenge social norms and express their ideas. and emotions. Focusing on creativity, individuality, and freedom of expression, modern dance continues to inspire and fascinate the public, offering a unique and powerful approach to the world of dance and beyond.
Works Cited
Brain, Robert M. “Edward Ross Dickinson. Dancing in the Blood: Modern Dance and European Culture on the Eve of the First World War.” (2019): 1515-1516.
Sarkar Munsi, Urmimala. “Dancing ‘Oriental’Masculinity: Uday Shankar and His Experiments in Modern Dance.” Uday Shankar and His Transcultural Experimentations: Dancing Modernity. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2022. 79-136.
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