The Modern Dance and Alvin Ailey - Essay Example

? Modern Dance & Alvin Ailey Dance has always been one of the prime facets that have come under the subject of entertainment and people many find it to be exclusive, exceptional and inimitable; however, dance is a form that is considerably a convention and tradition in some religions or cultures. Dance is also a significant source that can facilitate in marking out the history of any society, culture or a nation. The olden times reveals the facts that dance are a form that dates back to centuries, but the emergence of modern dance came into existence in the latter nineteenth century and beginning of twentieth century. The widespread and universal relationship and acquaintance is one of the noteworthy gains of the dance form that amalgamates and fuses the group of inhabitants to get pleasure and entertain oneself (Carter, pp. 1-10). The evidences also prove that there have been numerous dance forms and styles present in the society, which comes under association to different cultures with diverse forms. Out of the various dance forms that has come under reconnaissance since centuries, the modern dance is one form that is the cornerstone of the today’s contemporary dance form and postmodern dance forms. With the passage of time and the advancement and innovation of the technologies modern dance experienced a transformation and is now more stylish, classy and refined in its performance, proficiency, artistry and execution (Carter, pp. 10-20). The performers and artiste in the modern dance forms always have an edge over others as they did not had any limitations in expressing their dance techniques, rather they had the choice to articulate and embody their dance steps and styles in a creative, inventive and imaginative manner. The modern dance form materialized and turned up to perform and exhibit a unique and ultramodern kind of vigilance and alertness to their viewers and listeners (Carter, pp. 10-20). Expression of feelings and sentiments that includes panic, terror, delight, happiness, misery, pain and many more are the highlighting features of the modern dance forms and the physical form and external veracities came under exercise by the performers as their conveying tools. Therefore, this liberty proved to be fruitful and productive for them as it escalated their improvement and progress even until the present time (Carter, pp. 10-20).  Several imperative personalities have come under consideration and recognition to the formation of the modern dance. One of the key and foremost contributors to the modern dance that played a great deal of importance comes under limelight as Alvin Ailey. He is a man who gave a new shape and look to the modern dance form. From a very juvenile age, Alvin Ailey was fascinated to the diverse dance forms and took immense interest in watching them (Bailey, pp. 15-30). Illuminations, performers’ attire and dancers falling in the midst of melody and harmony has always been a center of attraction for him, but surprisingly he never thought about making dancing as an occupation or a profession. As his interest in the dance, come into view since a very young age, therefore, he learned and took lessons of acting and dancing from a number of choreographers and professionals in the related field (Bailey, pp. 30-35). Alvin had developed into one of the leading, considerable and crucial persuasive bodies in the approval and recognition of the modern dance form that did not came under compliance until the mid of the twentieth century. For the modern dance to come under acknowledgement by the society and people, Alvin Ailey made many endeavors that embraced his inward bounding into his own dance forms and styles, publicizing of his own work by commencing and initiating a workshop or a galley. The company of Alvin Ailey provided equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their race, culture and color (DeFrantz, pp.35-40). Enhancement, ornament, and embellishment of the American modern dance tradition and legacy were the fundamental intentions and reasons that Alvin Ailey initiated and established his company. Revelations is one of the remarkable and worth mentioning work of Alvin Ailey, which is an assortment and integration of manifold emotions and are features that underscore the beliefs and reminiscences of his life (DeFrantz, 225-250). Many of his performances have focused and illustrated the accuracy and certainty about the life of an African American, as he wanted to safeguard, maintain and conserve the distinctiveness of the their cultural face. The prevalent and principal influential factor was one of his adviser, guru, and companion that portrayed and depicted the dancing methods and practices in the work of Revelations and his other performances (DeFrantz, 225-250). Ailey was a charismatic, influential and full of life person and these qualities of his come under reveal in the sequence of dance steps in the modern dance as well. He was a flexible individual who used his forte of dance and choreography for other groups and bands as well and did not restrict himself to his theater only. Alvin did not confine his work to certain dance steps and techniques; rather, he focused on melodramatic actions and used to create the diverse and different amalgamation of dance method and practices based on it (DeFrantz, 125-140). While looking at the dance forms and techniques of 1970s exhibit the information that disco dance, and ballet were the most common and popular dance forms of that era. Alvin Ailey with his unique dance techniques and styles made use of the several dance forms in his works that includes ballet, modern dance, jazz and African dance that came under the basis on the previous trainings and learning (DeFrantz, 100-120). Alvin Ailey’s company has performed in more than forty countries, and with more than seventy dedicated and enthusiastic performances, they gained the status and prominence as one of the leading, admired and prevailing envoy of American culture who represented them on global basis. Due to his prominent, powerful, and astonishing performances of dance and choreography, his name and popularity in the domain of modern dance will always come under recognition and recalled in golden words (DeFrantz, 200-215). The modern dance and Alvin Ailey has a strong correlation and bond with each other as this man rise the modern dance to paramount heights, and had created remarkable work through his distinctive and inimitable style. He followed his interest and went on in making his career in choreography and dancing that was his strong suit and focused on making his work flawless. His work and performances demonstrates that he accentuates on feelings and emotions. With the comprehensions that dance did not come under approval and recognition on a global platform during that time, therefore, he materialized his work of dance to make people realize, get influence and make notice of the fact that dance plays a great deal of importance in the entertainment and leisure. He continued to create work in dance for a very long time through his dance theater, and revolutionized and modernized the contemporary dance form that is in practice until today. Works Cited Bailey, A. Peter. Revelations: The Autobiography of Alvin Ailey. Replica Books, 2000. Carter, Alexandra. Rethinking dance history: a reader. Routledge, 2004. DeFrantz, Thomas. Dancing revelations: Alvin Ailey's embodiment of African American culture. Oxford University Press, 2004. Read More