Throughout history, people have danced for many different reasons: to tell stories, to celebrate social occasions, and to entertain. The practice of “dance performance” as an art form is relatively new. Medieval spectacles gave rise to dancing in royal courts and this led, eventually, to the development of ballet. Early 20th Century artists believed dance should break free from ballet’s stringent rules; thus, the development of modern dance.
During the latter part of the twentieth century, rapid advances in science and technology forever changed the way we live our lives. Artists began to adapt their art forms accordingly, and dance, in particular, would never be the same. Early modern dancers desired personal and expressive movements that reflected the fast paced world in which they lived.
Modern dance is distinguished from earlier forms by:
- A new focus on the movement connecting the shapes of dancers’ poses to one another;
- Choreography that challenges the established set forms of structure and creates instead its own form;
- Embracing cultural diversity;
- Addressing social issues; and
- The ultimate pursuit of personal and individual expression.
Some influential pioneers of modern dance and their contributions:
- Martha Graham - known for incorporating exaggerated contractions and expansions of the torso and flexion of the spine caused by breathing
- Doris Humphrey - known for her use of gravity, specifically the use of balance and imbalance / fall and recovery
- Merce Cunningham - known for freeing dance from spatial and musical constraints and eliminating traditional choreographic patterns