OVERVIEW OF MODERN DANCE

Modern dance is a broad genre that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th century.
Opposing the rigid structures of ballet, it aimed to express the emotional and intellectual complexities of contemporary life.
Pioneers of modern dance sought to communicate directly and authentically through movement.

CHARACTERISTICS OF MODERN DANCE

Modern dance emphasises freedom of movement and the use of the body as an expressive tool.
This form of dance utilises natural body movements, such as moving in any direction in space or taking inspiration from everyday life.
The use of gravity plays a vital role to ground movements, contrasting to the light, ‘defying-gravity’ aesthetics of ballet.
Modern dance techniques rely largely on principles of contraction and release, fall and recovery, and on the dancer’s own breathing.

Modern dance owes much to the influence of key figures like Isadora Duncan, Martha Graham, and Merce Cunningham.
Isadora Duncan, known as the mother of modern dance, rejected ballet’s structures and embraced free and natural movements.
Martha Graham developed a distinctive language of dance featuring angular, direct, and earthbound movements.
Merce Cunningham broke traditional narratives’ boundaries, influenced by his belief in the independence of dance and music.

Modern dance has always been reflective of societal changes, examining contemporary issues and encouraging audience’s self-reflection.
It often explores themes such as gender and identity, power relations, and social and political systems.
This dance style is recognised as a potent form of communication and expression.

Choreography in modern dance seeks to create a personal language of movement, divorced from traditional steps and routines.
The role of the choreographer is central, as they play with space, time, and energy to construct expressive movement pieces.
There is a lot of room for improvisation and exploration, emphasising the individual dancer’s creative input.

Performances often include minimal set design and unconventional performance spaces to emphasise the dancers’ movement.
Projection, breathing, and emotive performance are critical aspects of conveying the choreography’s intent.
Costumes are simple and functional, allowing the movements to be fully realised and in some cases, expressing character or theme.