Performing Arts > Dance > Contemporary
Contemporary dance is a genre of dance that developed in the mid-20th century and has since grown to become one of the dominating performance genres for formally trained dancers throughout the world. Unlike classical dance forms such as ballet, contemporary dance emphasizes fluidity, versatility, and improvisation. It often involves the exploration of the full range of body movements, combining elements from various dance styles, such as modern dance, jazz, lyrical, and even elements from non-Western cultural dance forms.
The core principle of contemporary dance is freedom of movement, which allows the dancer to express their emotions and interpretations through their body in innovative and often unstructured ways. This approach breaks away from the rigid techniques and postures often found in more established dance styles.
Characteristics and Techniques:
Fluidity and Flow: Contemporary dance often flows smoothly from one movement to the next, creating a visual storyline or emotional journey. Dancers intertwine quick, sharp movements with slow, drawn-out ones to convey depth and complexity.
Use of Space: Dancers frequently explore the space around them, not confining their movements to vertical leaping and twirling but also incorporating floor work, where movements are executed at lower levels closer to the ground.
Improvisation: This style places a significant emphasis on improvisation, allowing dancers to make spontaneous decisions and movements. This quality makes each performance unique.
Emotional Expression: Contemporary dance is known for its expressive quality. Dancers often perform works that deal with complex themes, such as human experience, social issues, and personal narrative.
Technique Fusion: Contemporary dance draws upon and integrates techniques from ballet (point work and leg extensions), modern dance (contract and release, fall and recovery), jazz (isolations, syncopated rhythms), and other dance forms, creating a hybrid style.
Historical Context:
Contemporary dance evolved as a reaction against the more rigid constraints of ballet and modern dance. Early pioneers like Isadora Duncan and Martha Graham sought to create a dance form that was more expressive and accessible. Their focus on natural movement and emotional expression paved the way for the further development of contemporary dance.
Notable Figures:
- Martha Graham: Often considered the mother of modern dance, her techniques and choreographies became foundational to contemporary dance.
- Merce Cunningham: Known for his innovative use of chance procedures and collaborations with musicians and visual artists.
- Pina Bausch: A pioneer in blending dance with dramatic elements, her work has had a lasting impact on contemporary dance.
Mathematical Underpinnings:
Although contemporary dance is more expressive and less structured, some mathematical principles can be observed in choreography, particularly through patterns, symmetry, and spatial geometry. Analyzing these elements can provide insights into the structure and composition of contemporary pieces.
For example, choreographers might use geometric transformations—such as rotations, translations, and reflections—to develop formations that dancers perform on stage. Understanding these concepts can aid in the development of aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound choreographies.
Moreover, kinematics can be applied to study the motion of dancers, breaking down their movements into linear and angular displacements. This involves analyzing speed, velocity, and acceleration, which can all be represented mathematically for a comprehensive understanding of movement.
In conclusion, contemporary dance is a dynamic and expressive form of performing arts that continues to evolve. It values creativity, emotional depth, and technical skill, making it a compelling field of study and performance.