Ballet and Modern Dance (Ch 6)Movement Culture in the US in the Early 20th Century- Eurhythmics, created by Emile Jaques-Dalcroze (1865-1950)- Upper class women bored at home – wanted to come out and experience world/be swept away by menDelsartism- Francois Delsarte born in Solesme, France (1811)- “gesture is superior to each of the other languages, because it embraces the constituent parts of our being”- upper class women trained in oratory; also taught different things to empower women and help them get guys- came to America by an American woman in the later 19th centuryo Genevieve Stebbins- helps Women’s Liberation Movement of the early 20th century- women learn posture, body language, poise, etc.- gained confidence through learning this stuffWhat is Modern Dance?- American dance tradition- Broke away from classical ballet- Personal expression- Rebelled against formalism- American concerns- Rejected ballet vocabulary- Emotional, personal experiences- Hierarchy discarded- Groups became a sculptural whole- FREEDOM- Choreographer could develop own art, without regard to preexisting forms and traditionsIsadora Duncan (1877-1927)- Considered a pioneer of modern dance- “isadorables” – little kids/women being trained as dancers- killed in car accident- Videoo brightly colored, loose fitting outfits- “a paradigm of freedom” (Elizabeth Dempster 51)- “emancipation from the traditional roles of wife and mother, for sexual freedom and personal fulfillment” (Au 89)- “The Dance of the Future” by Isadora Duncan (1902)Lois Fuller- 1862-1928- opaque white tutu outfits- Dance Serpentine- Playing with lightingRuth St. Denis- Youngest of three American modern dance pioneers (Isadora, Lois Fuller, St. Denis) – had the most direct impact on American dance- Born in NJ (1877)- Began theatrical career with acrobatics, high kicking, and skirt dancing- Toured on vaudeville court- First choreographic work (1906) Radha- Brought her impression of different cultures to America- 1906 – crossed Atlantic in search of new audiences (like Duncan) – studied Indian art- Returned to US in 1909- Met Ted Shawn (1891-1972) in 1914 – partner and husbando Shawn – theology student began dancing as ballroom dancero Religious expression and an integral part of human life- Major tours around the county- America form of dance “modern dance” became recognized because of these tours- Made new audiences among middle class- Videoo Interview “The Incense”
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