HOPE 3 Modern and Contemporary Dance Characteristics and Techniques PDF

Modern and Contemporary Dance: Characteristics and Techniques Physical Education and Health 12 (HOPE 3)  LET’S REVIEW! 1. What comes into your mind when you hear the word, ‘Modern Dance’? 2. Why do you think we need to study modern dance or contemporary dan...

Modern and Contemporary Dance: Characteristics and Techniques Physical Education and Health 12 (HOPE 3)  LET’S REVIEW! 1. What comes into your mind when you hear the word, ‘Modern Dance’? 2. Why do you think we need to study modern dance or contemporary dance? Learning Objectives Determine the characteristics between modern and contemporary dances; Identify the famous choreographers in modern and contemporary dances; and Apply the characteristics of modern dance and elements of contemporary dance through making 1-minute choreography. MODERN DANCE  What is Modern Dance? Began at the turn of the 19th Century. Th spirit of change was in the air and was contagious to amount of people in different areas of dance and art. Modern dance began with a choice to move away from the rules, structures, and ideas of the past and to move to a more individual creative theory of dance. Modern dance has rules and forms. Each modern dance artist has developed a personal style of  Modern dance is an experience in movement. Dance is movement. Movement is life and is surrounds you every moment. Modern dance is based on highly individualized or personalized movements based upon the dancer’s or choreographer’s artistic intent. CHARACTERISTICS OF MODERN DANCE  No set curriculum  Stabilization of the pelvis  No particular music  Cause and Effect or Action  No particular costume & Reaction  No particular body type  Weighted – use of gravity  Natural, pedestrian  Flexibility and articulation carriage of the body of spine  Parallel 1st position from  Contraction and release hips to toes  Softening into the floor  Release of the neck when  Rebellion against ballet the head is dropped  EXAMPLES OF MODERN DANCE HOUSE DANCE PUNK DANCE RAVE DANCE DISCO DANCE BOLLYWOOD DANCE PHASES OF MODERN DANCE (1900-1940)  1900 - 1940  Social, economic, and political changes raised new questions about morality, rights, freedom, and the human condition.  This new dance was not beautiful to the accustomed patron, but the beauty had not been defined.  Early modern dancers looked beyond the dominant tradition of Western theatrical dance (ballet) to give their dance a more communicative power. They drew on archaic or exotic sources for inspiration. FAMOUS MODERN DANCE CHOREOGRAPHERS  Isadora Duncan (1877- 1927)  Known as the Mother of Modern Dance  Thought ballet was “ugly and against nature” and wanted a style of dance that was free and natural.  Had limited success in America.  Founded the “New System” of interpretative dance, blending poetry, music and rhythms of nature.  She explored concepts through dance but most of her dances are influenced by Greek sculptures, flowy movements  Ruth St. Denis (1878- 1968)  Had a vision of a new form of dance, with form as well as freedom and choreographed dances that were repeated each time performed.  She gave birth to this new form in the theatre but designed it to be a communication on a spiritual level.  Choreography had eastern influences from countries such as India and Egypt.  Ruth St. Denis (1878- 1968)  She was particularly interested in exotic lands and the dance steps, costumes and setting associated with them, as well as in using dance to explore spirituality.  o Married her dance partner Ted Shawn and they developed the dance company Denishawn.  o Teacher of Martha Graham, Doris Humphreys, and Charles Weidman.  The Big Four (1910- 1945)  The main choreographers during this period were Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, Charles Weidman, and Hanya Holm.  The major theme for the works created was about the American spirit.  These dancers rejected external movement sources and turned to basic human movements such as  Martha Graham (1894- 1991)  Mother of American Dance  Graham developed the principle of contraction and release.  Graham’s original technique was rooted in a form of Expressionism. She linked movement to emotional expression and developed a vocabulary to communicate emotions, exploring deep within her own psyche.  Famous work – Appalachian Spring  Founded the Martha graham Dance Co.  Doris Humphrey (1895- 1985)  Humphrey was a leading soloist in Denishawn.  Created the Humphrey-Weidman school and company with Charles Weidman.  Created the theory of fall and recovery  Themes of social organization were important  First to use an ensemble in pieces vs. Merce Cunningham (1919- 2009)  Former performer with Martha Graham  Meaning of choreography was to be determined by the observer. He was not interested in telling stories or exploring psychological states.  Movement itself is the principal subject matter of his dance: neither narrative nor musical form determines their structure.  Alvin Ailey (1931- 1989)  Born in Texas, USA  Created Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre  Inspired by gospel, spirituals, and the blues  “Revelations” is his most critically acclaimed work. CONTEMPORARY DANCE  What is Contemporary Dance?  It is an expressive dance technique which is a combination of a variety of dances: modern, jazz, lyrical, and classical ballet.  A performing art that involves rhythmic body movement within a given space, choreography based on musical beat.  It is developed in 1950s in America and Europe. EIGHT ELEMENTS OF CONTEMPORARY DANCE  THEME – most basic DESIGN – pattern of element of a dance movement in time and space MOVEMENT – the bodily TECHNIQUE – the skill of actions of the dancer that movement executed by the includes his steps dancer  COSTUME AND BODY MUSIC – the auditory PARAPHERNALIA background to which a – properties worn by the dancer moves dancer that help reflect the message, customs and beliefs. CHOREOGRAPHY – the figures and steps in dancing SCENERY – the background or that enable the dancers to setting where the dance perform in a n organized manner FIVE TECHNIQUES USED IN CONTEMPORARY DANCE  Cunningham Technique  Named after teacher and choreographer Merce Cunningham  This style focuses on the architecture of the body in space, rhythm and articulation.  Cunningham uses the idea of the body’s own “line of energy” to promote easy, natural movement.  Graham Technique  Named after Matha Graham  This style focuses on the use of contraction, release, fall, and recovery.  This technique is characterized by floor work and the use of abdominal and pelvic contractions. This style is very grounded and the technique visibly contrary to the nymph-like, airborne ideals of ballet.  Limon Technique  Named after Jose Limon  Involves exploring the use of energy in relation to gravity and working with weight in terms of fall, rebound, recovery and suspension.  Limon technique uses the feeling of weight and “heavy energy in the body and movement is instigated using breath to lift and swings through the body to create and halt movement. It also feels very nice to perform.  Release Technique  Placing emphasis on minimizing tension in the search for clarity, fluidity, and efficient use of energy and breath.  In this technique, we release though the joints and muscles to create ease of movement, releasing the breath to aid the release of the body. A great relaxation technique as well as a dance style.  Improvisation Technique  Improvisation focuses on the investigation of movement and its relation to performance. Development of individual movement material is facilitated through a variety of creative explorations.  Contact improvisation describes a duet dance form characterized by weight exchange, fluid movement and touch. Partners improvise using the natural movement of the body.  Hawkins Technique  Named after Erick Hawkins  This technique embodies the philosophy that dance should integrate the body, mind, and soul while always following scientific principles.  Horton Technique  It is developed by dancer/ choreographer Lester Horton in the 1920s.  This technique isa based on Native American dances, anatomical studies, and other movement influences. Q & A PORTION Why must we study modern dance and contemporary dance? Why is dance technique important for a dancer?  QUIZ: MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY DANCE  PART I. IDENTIFICATION: Choose your answer in the box below and write your answers in a ¼ sheet of yellow paper. 1. The teacher of Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, and Charles Weidman. 2. She was known as the mother of modern dance. 3. His choreography was inspired by gospel, spiritual, and the blues. “Revelations” is his most critically acclaimed work.  PART I. IDENTIFICATION: Choose your answer in the box below and write your answers in a ¼ sheet of yellow paper. 4. What famous technique is known for its unique dramatic and expressive qualities and distinctive floor work? 5. What characteristic of modern dance represents the personal and emotional experience of its creators? PART II. ENUMERATION: Provide what is required. A. Give five techniques used in contemporary dance. ASSIGNMENT Directions: Create a one-minute modern dance choreography.  REFERENCES Calypso, J. (n.d.). LESSON 4 - Modern Dance. Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/document/576664153/LESS ON-4-Modern-Dance Gazo, J. (n.d.). HOPE-3-hand-outs. Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/document/599292750/HOP E-3-hand-outs