Ruth Saint Denis and Isadora Duncan's Dance Techniques - Essay Example

Their Contribution to Modern Dance Dance refers to a form of expression that uses rhythmic movements of the body, especially to music, and is considered as a form of art. It has and still is considered a vital form of communication although it does not utilize words. Dance encompasses different styles ranging from break dancing, ballet, tango, waltz, forms of step dances and hip hop dance routines such as krumping. We note that all dance styles, though different, all require flexibility in body movement and any miscalculations in movement could result in injury. Modern dance refers to a dance form which was developed in the early 20th Century. It was introduced by American and European dancers who began resisting the limitations of classical ballet, which was the predominant dance technique at that time. Modern dance moves from controls established by classical ballet such as costumes and techniques. Modern dance focuses on self-expression before technicality, thus choreographers design modern dance routines on the dancers’ emotions. We note that modern dance was developed through the input of people such as Ruth St. Denis and Isadora Duncan (Anderson, 1999). Isadora Duncan was born in 1878, in California, to parents who were more concerned with thought more than material possessions and encourages Isadora to be liberal and free-thinking in all her undertakings. Isadora was encouraged from an early age to join the visual arts and be free. Her childhood drove her decision to break away from societal rules on women’s rights and all aspects of life. Although she did not receive much formal education, Isadora read everything she found at the Oakland Library, she also performed plays at her home and gave dancing lessons to her peers in her neighborhood. She took a few ballet lessons in her childhood, but found it displeasing. When she moved to New York after her parents’ separation, Isadora began dancing on a professional level with a theater group; however, she continued teaching dance. Her enthusiasm for dancing is seen when her family lived in a small studio at Carnegie Hall, she would always push aside the few mattresses in the studio to make room for dancing. Isadora’s dance technique stressed natural and liberal movements, which were based on her emotions at the time of performance. Her dance technique emphasized contraction and release movements seen in breathing where contraction occurs when one breathes out and releases when breathing out (Cohen, 2000). Moreover, we note that Isadora developed a technique that moved from fixed costumes as seen in contemporary ballet. She stirred up controversy when during one of her performance to some wealthy New York ladies, she danced with her arms and legs bare by not wearing a corset. This outraged the women who left in disgust. This, however, did not deter Isadora from pursuing and developing her dance routines and style. She dedicated her life to developing a dance style that encouraged expression of moral and beauty in a healthful manner. In one of her most popular quotes on dance exemplifies her development of the modern dance style that encouraged natural progression, “Every movement that can be danced on the seashore without being in harmony with the rhythm of the waves, every movement that can be danced in the forest without being in harmony with the swaying of the branches, every moment that one can dance….in the sunshine, in the open country, without being in harmony with the life and the solitude of the landscape- every such movement is false, in that it is out of tune in the midst of nature’s harmonious lines. That is why the dancer should above all else choose movements that express the strengths, health, nobility, ease and serenity of living things” (Isadora, 1927). Isadora endeavored to teach Russians in modern dance by opening a dance school in the Soviet Union after her marriage to a Communist Russian. This American dancer continued to inspire more people into modern dancing through her memoirs, which were published after her death (Cohen, 2000). After Isadora had paved the way for modern dance in America, Ruth St. Denis who was born in New York in 1879. She founded the Ms. St. Denis’ School of Dance in Denishawn together with her husband, Ted Shawn. She taught some of the most famous dancers such as Martha Graha, Doris Humphrey, Evans Burrows and Charles Weidman. St.Denis and her husband have been influential in the creation of Jacob’s Pillow dance festival whose mission is to promote education, presentation, creation and maintenance of dance. This is aimed at encouraging appreciation and perpetuation of dance in the public domain. Some early solos performed at St. Denis have been featured in by many companies in recent times. Solos such as “The Art of the Solo” are quite popular to date. For instance, solos such as “The Legend of the Peacock” and “Incense” were featured at the Baltimore Museum of Art in 2006. Denis’ work has evoked strong need for its reestablishment through St. Denis “Radha” by the Countess of Greece, Anastacia Thamakis. In addition, she established the Adelphi University dance program which was the first department of dance arts in an American University. To date the program is the foundation stone of Adelphi’s Department of Performing Arts. . Her first dance techniques centered on spirituality and mysticism. Denis’ passion for modern dance led to her continuing to teach dance at a California based studio. She later collaborated with Raymond Bowman in taking to the US the first Balinese Shadow Puppet show. In her desire to taste something different from ballet, Denis has been instrumental in the establishment and development of modern art (Love, 1999). In conclusion, the modern dance technique has established a more fluid, relaxed and lively style of dance. By incorporating natural movements in dance, radical dance styles have revolutionized dance all over the world. The trend that began in America and Europe has spread all over the world and has led to the induction of more dance styles that are products of modern dance. Modern dance is considered a form of narration which involves movement and is a potential for change in the society. Both Isadora and Denis have paved the way for installation and induction of modern dance into the world of arts. Both women have, in their own unique ways enhanced this dance style. Modern dance has revolutionized dance as we observe a transition from ancient dance techniques such as ballet, and shifting from rigid techniques that have set choreographed moves and traditional costumes. Modern dance bases its doctrines on the emotions of the dancers. However, modern dance has now changed to a more practical approach. References Anderson, J. Ballet & Modern Dance: A Concise History (2nd ed.). USA: Independent Publishers Group. 1999. Cohen, S. J. C. The Modern Dance: Seven Statements of Belief (1st ed.) NJ: Wesleyan. 2000. Love, P. Modern Dance Terminology: The ABC's of Modern Dance as Defined by Its Originators. NJ: Princeton Book Company. Read More