Abstract This paper reviews the life of the artist, dancer and teacher IsadoraDuncan born in 1878 and discusses her contribution to American dance. It examines how IsadoraDuncan is largely credited with establishing what we now know as modern dance and how she infused the accepted dance modalities of her day with ideas old and new. It analyzes how Duncan's attitudes and approaches came from her native America and how these ideas involved a stress upon unfettered athleticism for both men and women. Duncan wished to develop the body's capacity for jumping, stretching and expressing emotions rather than pure excellence and form in isolation.
From the Paper "Thus, although she lived and traveled extensively in Europe, it is important to remember Duncan's origins in the United States and subsequent influence upon American dance's cavalier attitude towards formulaic traditions. ?Born in 1878 in San Francisco, Isadora Duncan grew up in a childhood filled with imagination and art. Her mother introduced her four children (Isadora was youngest) to classical music, as well as Shakespeare, poetry, literature and art. Isadora spent many hours playing and dancing upon the beach, and even taught dance classes to younger children as a way to earn a little extra money for the struggling family. In her teenage years, Isadora traveled to Chicago and New York with some of her family members, working and performing in various productions such as Mme. Pygmalion, Midsummer's Night Dream or vaudeville shows with limited success."
Abstract This paper looks at the life of IsadoraDuncan, a pioneer in modern dance. It discusses her early life, personal life and education. The paper then addresses how her dance style was influenced by various elements such as Greek influence and American culture. It looks at Duncan's education and how this impacted her art. The paper concludes with the status of Duncan's dance style today and the existance of the IsadoraDuncanDance Ensemble.
From the Paper "Isadora Duncan is recognized as one of the pioneers of modern dance as it is known today. Since childhood she had loved poetry, beauty and rhythm. She had a large amount of practical common sense juxtaposed with a dreaming quality, inherited from her father. As her childhood was marked by poverty, Duncan hated reality, and was a rebel (Dickson, 2001). This was all worsened by her parents? divorce and her mother's insistence that her father was practically subhuman. Furthermore Isadora's mother disavowed their faith and accepted atheism. The child's confusion was heightened by the fact that when she met her father, he was a charming, lovable man. This resulted in the fact that Isadora never lost her contempt for the institution of marriage as she had grown up with it."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses that the name IsadoraDuncan stands for freedom of spirit and its universality. She is considered the founder of modern dance philosophy. The writer notes that due to her, among others, at the beginning of the twentieth century, dance became an academic object of study. The writer maintains that it is clear and beyond any doubt that IsadoraDuncan brought innovations in the technique of the dance, but furthermore she also changed the role dance played in people's lives all over the world. The writer concludes that one may not have heard about IsadoraDuncan, but people all over the world enjoy watching people dance on stage or dancing themselves on the ring dance without knowing that they owe some part of their pleasure to such pioneers as Isadora.
From the Paper "She lived a tumultuous life, always on the verge, like her dance. She had two unofficial relationships and one child from each of them. She was also married for a short period of time to the Russian poet, Serghei Esenin. Her life was full of terribly tragic, but also happy moments. She made life achievements, founded a dance school that brought her legacy to the next generations and changed dance forever. She danced as she lived: free of any restraints and ready to confront old mentalities and break the rules. She set an example for the women at the beginning of the twentieth century. She dared to go over the limits set by the narrow minded and brought her understanding of art and her talent all over Europe and the USA. She freed dance from the ritualism and the rigid form imposed by ballet and made it regain its natural roots, finding inspiration in the Greek forms of art among others. Nature itself was another of the important sources of inspiration in her work."
Abstract This paper discusses IsadoraDuncan's book "My Life" and her life in relationship to 'Section I' of Walt Whitman's poem "Song of the Open Road", which Duncan professes to be her favorite poem, probably because it reveals Duncan's specific philosophies of freedom and dance. The author points out that, in her life as a mother, a lover and a wife and her work as a dancer, who developed modern dance, Duncan broke away from conventional views seeking freedom from social and professional taboos and constraints.
The paper stresses that nature is Duncan's source of technique and dance content in which she expresses unbound freedom through her use of arms and upper body movements combined with simple steps, a style which Duncan intended to be the divine expression through the body of the human spirit.
From the Paper "The fourth stanza in "Open Road" moves on to a depiction of nature, as well as acceptance. The sufficiency that he finds in nature feeds the poet's freedom. Isadora Duncan finds in the freedom of nature the freedom of her inner expression. She was born at the seaside: "...I have noticed that all the great events of my life have taken place by the sea. My first idea of movement, of the dance, certainly came from the rhythm of the waves." Thus the freedom and movement that make up the radical free-form dance style that was Duncan's invention, are profoundly inspired by the sea. Again, the restriction placed upon her by the public school is sharply juxtaposed by the afternoons when she danced and played next to the sea. Duncan is also much influenced by the stars and astrology."
Abstract This paper looks at the life and works of dancer IsadoraDuncan. It explains that Duncan was unknown as a classical ballerina, in which she trained, but became famous once her style changed into a free modern style, which became her trademark. The paper discusses how Duncan's free style impacted the modern dance industry today.
From the Paper "At twenty, she arrived in London, having studied classical ballet in New York. She stayed in London one year, acted and danced in such plays as Shakespeare's "Midsummer Night's Dream" but she was restless, fame eluded her (she had then, and later, always expected that her every movement would win her applause and stardom). She started to learn about and love everything Greek. No wonder that, when she arrived in Paris, she utilized her version of a Greek dancing outfit: bare legs, a diaphanous long skirt, and grand gestures that defied the "classical" tradition. Her words were often as outrageous as her dancing. "Dance is a religion and should have its worshippers." (Terry, p. 27)."
Abstract This paper presents a brief biography of the dancer, IsadoraDuncan, as well as a description of her philosophy of the dance form. The paper also discusses her influence on and contribution to modern dance.
From the Paper "Duncan's personal success as a dancer should not diminish what is perhaps her greater contribution, her success as a teacher and a creator of her own tradition. She began her first school in Grunewald, Germany in 1904, selecting children from the poorer classes and providing completely for all their physical and materials need from her own pocket. Later, she established schools in both Russia and Paris. Interestingly enough, these schools are proudly proclaimed as providing an unbroken legacy of tradition with their founders. ?The existence of Isadora's dances lies in the transmission of the choreographies from one dancer to another in an unbroken line of generations of Duncan dancers,? writes Lori Belivoe in the periodical and press release of the foundation that bears Isadora's name. (Belivoe, Isadora Duncan Foundation for Contemporary Dance, "Isadora Duncan Legacy and Schools") Duncan's indefinable, inexact balance between classicism and personal, inner artistic poetic expression manifested in dance thus became a "tradition" in and of itself."
Abstract This paper examines how European and American theatrical dance had always centered on ballet until the early 20th century, when it became fashionable in dance circles to rebel against the strictures of tradition. It looks at how modern dance, which resembles modern art and music in that it is experimental and iconoclastic, developed primarily in the United States and Germany. It discusses how, in the beginning, modern dance was often misunderstood by audiences and how, by the 1950s, modern dance was firmly established in the dance world. It also shows how modern dance is said to be based on the four principles of substance, dynamism, metakinesis, and form, and how, due to the creative efforts of the modern dancepioneers, dancers today use a broader range of techniques, styles, and source materials than ever before.
From the Paper "The first American dancers to break from classical ballet were Isadora Duncan, Loie Fuller, and Ruth St. Denis (Modern pp). Although their styles differed, their unconventional approaches opened the door to a new era in dance history, namely the American modern dance movement of the 1920's (Modern pp). Those involved in this movement based their works on personal experience, using their bodies as instruments to express emotions such as passion, fear, grief or joy (Modern pp). The dancer created form as an outgrowth of his or her own communicative impulses, rather than adhering to the set form and limited range of gestures of ballet (Modern pp)."
Abstract Based on the film "Isadora", this paper describes the life and dancing tradition promoted by IsadoraDuncan. The paper highlights her non-conformist position in art and life.
Abstract The paper is an in-depth study of the history of hip hop dance, from before and after the 1970s, and its effects on society. It explores how this type of dance is unlike other dance forms and the elements that make it up. There are no fixed forms to dance, but only styles. The rest is up to the dancer. It is a style of dance for all society giving the freedom to all to dance according to their desires. The paper also shows how hip hop is very much an American product. The hip hop trend enables the path for several dancers, and at the same time it also fosters and promotes more suggestive dance moves. The paper provides clear indications of the effects on culture; some hip hop is racist in theme, while others are sexist. Many hip hop musicians concentrate on such issues like social inequity and the dangers of heroin use. The conclusion is that hip hop is more than just music. It is becoming the soul of pop culture as never before, and steadily moving from the street corners and music videos towards usage in the fitness centers, dance studios as well as television shows.
From the Paper "Hip hop may be viewed as a culture and is often used to refer to commercial rap music, but hip-hop is not only music. It is loved by the American ghetto youth who claim that it is their method of self-expression and use hip hop to rise over their physical situations. The culture of hip hop has its roots based on truth, self-determination, courage and pride. This is the reason why it has grown to have its impact on almost every part of the world. (Hip-hop History) Some hip hop is racist in their themes, while others are sexist. At the same time, there are also many hip hop musicians who concentrate on such issues like social inequity and the dangers of heroin use. From its early days in the US, the music is being played in projects and some underground clubs, but, now it has achieved a profile that has led to include it in the 1992 presidential debates over Sister Soljah. In the 20th Century Fox movie, Bulworth, there is Warren Beatty playing a Senator who berates his opponents using rap. Hip hop, it would seem, has become a part of our lives. (Classified Hip-Hop or I wanna blow up like Marilyn Monroe's skirt) At the same time, hip hop is not only music. This form of dancing has become very popular and this is clear from the opinions of some experts. "There's a definite surge in the white neighborhood that wouldn't necessarily be exposed to hip-hop in their everyday life," says Keith Pinto, who is an MC and hip-hop dance teacher at the Dance Attack in Los Gatos, California. "They watch MTV, see other kids doing it and want to be a part of it. You can pretty much go to any dance studio in the Bay area and they'll have a hip-hop class." (Hip-hop dance fever)"
Abstract This paper examines historically social dancing in the 20th century, also called couple dancing. The paper describes the five different types: Modern Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot, and Quickstep, all of which are presently danced the world over both socially as well as in dance sport competitions.
From the Paper "Social dancing was derived from the concept of dancing by a couple, usually a man and a lady, in a closed hand. Coming from the eighteenth and early nineteenth century, these dances gained popularity from the standard ballroom dances with diverse rhythms, tempos, and aesthetics. Although all these aspects changed with the change in the social attitudes, the one thing, which remained common through out the history of dancing, is that of the couple dance or the social dances. (Evans 2001)"
Abstract This paper explains that many dance traditions have originated in India and Indonesia, such as the Bharata Natyam from South India, which had an important historical and cultural influence on the history of India. The author points out that important elements of Hinduism, particularly the figure Nataraja, a form of Shiva, are expressed in Bharata Natyam. The paper relates that this dance, as well as many other religious dances, demonstrate the integral relationship between religious dances and the religious themes that inspire them.
From the Paper "Many dance traditions have originated in India and Indonesia, such as the Bharata Natyam from South India, which had an important historical and cultural influence on the history of India. Important elements of Hinduism, particularly the figure Nataraja, a form of Shiva, are expressed in Bharata Natyam. This dance, as well as many other religious dances, demonstrates the integral relationship between religious dances and the religious themes that inspire them. In terms of specific details of Bharata Natyam, it emerged in southern India and developed over the centuries as a living tradition as generation after generation handed it down from parents to children, and gained ascendancy when the Devadasi system emerged in India."
Abstract This paper is about dance movement therapy as a form of expressive art therapies. The paper focuses on how dance therapy is about the release of emotional trauma or beliefs as well as feelings that have been suppressed, through appropriate movement. There is a brief history of development of dance therapy as well as a personal story about how fears can limit the ability to dance.
From the Paper "The expressive arts offer a multitude of opportunities for the human spirit to achieve balance, freedom, relief and potentially self-actualization. While great emphasis in class has been placed on the spirit of the human condition and spirit of the soul, after a brief discussion about the spirit, this paper will focus on what movement and dance therapy are about, the use of dance therapy as a way of unleashing burdensome emotions and psychological pathology in combinations of the arts and solely using dance and movement as the expressive medium. This paper will also include comments on the generally fear and shame based reasons why individuals might initially shy away from dance and movement therapy."
Abstract This paper describes the Ghost Dance religion and how it spread to Native American tribes. The paper discusses the history of the Native Americans from the time of Andrew Jackson until the Wounded Knee massacre, and demonstrates how the Native Americans were pushed farther and farther westward, and eventually limited to a very small area. The paper explains how the United States army and government's fear of the Ghost Dance religion led to the Wounded Knee massacre, describing the events of the massacre, and the political issues surrounding the massacre and the Ghost Dance religion.
From the Paper "James Mooney writes in The Ghost-Dance Religion and the Sioux Outbreak of 1890 that the essential part of the teaching of the Ghost Dance is the doctrine that the world is old and worn and the time is near for its renewal (Mooney 661). The Ghost Dance was an American Indian religious revivalist movement that spread through the Plains Indians and other ethnic groups during the 1890's and due to a culmination of events is forever linked to the Wounded Knee massacre of 1890 (Ghost pp)."
Abstract This paper takes a look at Islam's view on dance and music. According to the paper, although there are many groups within Islam that profess that music and dancing are forbidden, it is clear that the Qu'ran itself does not explicitly prohibit these activities. The paper goes on to say that several avenues of worship within Islam have developed into the practice of reaching God through dance or music. The paper focuses specifically on the Quwalli and the Mevelevi Order, also known as The Whirling Dervishes.
From the Paper "More intentionally musical is the Sufic tradition of the Quwalli. Quwali means "word," and can be thought of as the physical and auditory manifestation of the divine voice. As with the Quri, the Quwallis use their voice as a tool of worship, but they move into the world of interpretation and individual expression of the words themselves. They can be likened to the Gospel singers of the Western world in this respect, though this may be a misleading comparison since the Sufi practice, from which the Quwalli find their beginnings and roots, is far more steeped in history and tradition and could be considered a more "serious" endeavor. Quwallis use the music of their voices to worship foremost, and to communicate and encourage their listeners to worship with them is a secondary concern."
Abstract This paper discusses the film "Dances With Wolves" in relation to man's inhumanity to man, culture, our attitudes towards other cultures, and the media's portrayal of other cultures through the medium of film.
From the paper:
"The film ?Dances With Wolves? (Costner) looks in detail at the way strangers get to know each other. It is seen from the point of view of John Dunbar, a lieutenant fighting during the American Civil War. We meet the wounded hero in a field hospital just as he is about to have his leg amputated. However, when the doctors leave, he decides to rejoin his regiment, and invites death by riding his horse in a suicidal charge at the enemy lines."
