The Art of Dancing - Essay Example

Art and art forms all through the history has proved instrumental in deliverance and reflection of social and cultural values. They have been used asnarrative medium all through the history. With relevance to the Western culture, even in days dating back to centuries, dance had been an ideal tool for individuals to demonstrate their skills especially relating to their awareness on fashion, behavior physiologies and of course the sense of rhythm and timing . However this opportunity was limited to the wealthier part of the society because mastering the skill of dance in those days involved coaching sessions from dance teachers which were affordable to the common public. (The library of Congress, 2008). With time this evolved as a narrative tool. However, the narration was limited to the presentation of the dance. However in the nineteenth century, the art of dancing was more popularized through literatures. The influence of the popularization of music also contributed to the popularity of dance. Many other factors like an improvisation of the women’s role in the society and the strengthening of their physical activeness towards the beginning of the twentieth century were also influential in the development of social dance styles (The library of Congress, 2008). With this, techniques specific to different kind of dances evolved and were standerdised. Gradually these techniques became so expressive that these within itself tuned out to be narrative in nature. An good example to this is the evoloution of social dancing. The arena of social dancing emphasizes on the sociability of the art than on set rules and competition. The inclusiveness is the basic principle adhering to the social style of dancing and is not performance oriented. This style of dancing more relies on the spontaneity in accordance to the situation than on the rules and regulations. However the various disciples with in the social dancing style share some universal principles. It is creative, spontaneous, coordinated and conventional in terms of these principles (Renzland P, 2008). Some of the social dances which are popular in America today are Break Dancing, Alpine, Hip Hop Dancing, Argentine Tango, Balboa, Cajun, Ceili(dh), Charleston, Circle Mixers, Contra, Hambo, Irish Set, Lindy Hop, Old-Time-Waltz, Polka, Ragtime, Scandinavian, Scottish (Country/Folk) Dancing, Square, Vintage, Zwiefache and Zydeco. In short, it is the style of dance which connects the art form with the common public.Here the techniques of dancing in terms of these principles communicates more than the presentation. This is an ideal example where dance communicates more through the techniques than through the presentation itself. An understanding on the social scenario existing in the United States of America would serve as a background to analyze the relevance of dancing as a narrative tool in the present socio economic situation. American society is at the threat of individualization and a reverse socialization process is happening at an increased pace. This may be the result of the insecurity among the younger generation due to the disturbed family backgrounds. This scenario is supported by the fact that ideal family backgrounds are the foundation stones of an ideal society. Dancing not restrictive to presentations would with its sociability approach contribute much towards the improvisation of the feeling of togetherness with in the society. The process of dancing involves body, mind, spirit and feeling (Renzland P, 2008). The spirit and the feelings of dancing which are closely associated with the lineage and techniques of dancing would effectively contribute to a person’s respect towards the one dancing with, which would in turn affect positively his social approach. Another interesting proof for the narrative strength of non performance oriented dance is evident in the social dancing format. As non performing dance forms like social dancing involves the concept of dancing with every one in the group, and as one would change partners in every song, it would increase the magnitude of the social effect. The style of dancing would interfere with the introversion of the society as it is communicative, social and public while being simultaneously personal to each person involved in the dance. The role of dancing on the physique also has been emphasized in literatures. The art of dancing written by Leslie Clendenens (1919) placed great emphasis on physical fitness and included exercises, along with many alternative suggestions for healthy bodies, including pantomime, dramatic posture dances, Italian body exercises, and rhythmic dancing. However the literatures from the nineteenth century have suggested some negative impacts of dancing on the society as a narrative medium. In the literature, Immorality of Modern Dances (1904) it has been argued that although dance was acknowledged to have been practiced during biblical times, it was always performed by and for women solely. It further considered that dance was bad for the health and finally it argued that dance was a waste of time. The literatures of the period considered dancing as an immoral act. This argument was backed by the theological concepts of Protestant and Catholic churches. Modern dances were condemned by the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church’s verdict on dance was that who so ever other than the reserved cases who held the honor to be absolved from the sin, would commit a sin if they dance. A number of literatures has also related dance to lust and sexual feelings. The anti-dance writers have also equated the art of dancing with the ten commandments of Bible. They support their argument with biblical proofs that shows that dancing was done only by one sex. Some creative approaches were also followed by the anti-dance writers as the work of W.E. Penns (1884) ‘There is no harm in dancing’ used trees as metaphors, noting that it was the fruit of the tree that might prove dangerous; the "fruit" on the tree of dancing included "pride, lasciviousness, lying, drunkenness, embezzlement, fornication, cruelty, idolatry, prostitution, abortion, and assassination. These arguments does not however counter the narrattive strength of dancing through its techniques, lineage and style. These arguments on the other side confirm that beyond the stories that dances directly narrate they pass on trends and messages into the society. Moreover, their strength to percolate into the grassroots of the society is evident from these arguments. Every dance form and every influential dancer influences the masses through their own techniques, style and the lineage of the dance form. There are visionary dancers like Micheal Jackson, who could narrate more through his dancing technique than the performance as such. Dancing has always acted as a binding force among the society. Dance events always happens in relation with a number of cultural events and social events like singing, making music, eating, visiting, courting, and celebrating. These kind of social dancing does not limits ones participation with reference to his dancing caliber or degrees of skills and experience. It most the times are very inclusive event, in which every one in the society can participate. Moreover, social dancing has given extensive stage for interaction. Limitless chances to associate with a number of people from different realms of the society are very much possible in social dancing. None of the corporate or cultural hierarchies limit the chance of interaction. Hip hop dancing and Argentine Tango are powerful examples of how dance and its technique and technique can narrate a political philosophy. The intimacy in the dance form is very evident. Hip hop dacing sytle for instance is specifically associated with political agendas as that of civil rights movement and race equality demands. These dance forms are narrative in terms of the politics that they prescribe more through its style and technique than the presentation itself. The moment somebody sees a hiphop, he or she gets into a mood a rebellion which is automatically conveyed through the style of dance. The dance form is very gentle as well. The attraction in the hip hop dancing is the speed and the coordination. The narrative style of this dancing and the specialty in the body movements is contributing much to the beauty of the dance.The factor whichconnects people most in this style of dance is that the rhythm and the steps closely followed the pattern of the music. It has to be noted here that hiphop music within itself has its origin as revolting voice against opression. With all the socially contributing factors, dancing must be more highlighted as a participative art more than performance oriented and competitive . The role of dancing in affecting social and cultural relationships must be seen as its strength. Dance as an art form conveys more through its structure, style, technique and lineage. Dance performances are expressions of the structure, style, technique and lineage of dancing. The structure, style, technique and lineage of dancing in totality is used in performaces to narrate stories. However, dancing as an art narattes more than these stories. The underlying messages which are conveyed through the style, technique and lineage of dancing is more expressive and influential than the performance itself. WORKS CITED “Western Social Dance: An Overview of the Collection”,2008, The Library Congress, 08 Nov 2008, Renzland P, “What is Traditional Social Dancing?”,2008, Dancing.org, 08 Nov 2008, Clendenen L , The art of dancing,1919, The Library Congress, 08 Nov 2008, Immorality of Modern Dances , 1904, The Library Congress, 08 Nov 2008, W.E. Penns ‘There is no harm in dancing’1884, The Library Congress, 08 Nov 2008, Video Clip 81 and 82, 1998, The Library Congress, 08 Nov 2008, Read More

 

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