Please Select One Of The Artists Included In Your Unit 3
Please Select One Of The Artists Included In Your Unit 3study Guide W
Please select one of the artists included in your Unit 3 study guide whose work inspires you. Write a paper discussing their background and their contribution to dance. Why were they important to the evolution of dance? What was unique about their approach? Identify and describe important dance works (at least two). Two page paper, 12pt font, 1" margins, double spaced. In addition to the two pages, include a separate title page and a separate bibliography with at least 3 sources (not Wikipedia) in MLA style.
Paper For Above instruction
For this assignment, I have chosen to focus on Martha Graham, one of the most influential figures in the history of dance. Her innovative approach and profound contributions significantly shaped the evolution of modern dance, establishing her as a pivotal artist whose work continues to influence dancers and choreographers today.
Background of Martha Graham
Martha Graham was born in 1894 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She began her dance training at the University of Iowa and later moved to New York City to pursue her dance career. Inspired by her interest in psychology, Greek mythology, and radical new movement techniques, Graham developed a unique dance language that emphasized core strength, expressive movement, and emotional intensity. Her dedication to exploring the depths of human emotion through dance reflected her belief in dance as a form of expressive storytelling and personal expression.
Contribution to Dance
Martha Graham fundamentally transformed dance by introducing a new aesthetic that broke away from classical ballet's rigid structures. She sought to make dance more expressive and accessible, emphasizing the use of the body as a tool to explore complex themes such as anxiety, love, and societal conflict. Her creation of a modern dance vocabulary—highlighted by contractions, releases, and breath-driven movement—allowed dancers to communicate raw emotion and psychological depth, expanding the expressive potential of dance as an art form.
Graham's influence extends beyond her choreography. As a pioneering educator and director of her own dance company, she mentored numerous students and choreographers, contributing to the proliferation of modern dance techniques worldwide. Her emphasis on professionalism, discipline, and innovative experimentation laid a foundational framework that many contemporary dance styles continue to build upon.
Significant Dance Works
One of Martha Graham’s most celebrated works is Appalachian Spring (1944), a ballet that explores themes of American pioneer life, hope, and community. The choreography is notable for its use of expansive, flowing movements that evoke the open landscape and resilient spirit of the American frontier. This piece exemplifies her ability to blend storytelling with expressive motion, capturing emotional depth through dance.
Another significant work is Cave of the Heart (1946), inspired by Greek mythology, specifically the story of Medea. This piece showcases Graham’s mastery in conveying intense psychological conflicts through movement, using sharp gestures and dramatic contrast to portray themes of betrayal and suffering. The work exemplifies her innovative use of expressive gestures to communicate complex character psychology and narrative.
In conclusion, Martha Graham’s pioneering approach revolutionized dance by emphasizing emotional expressiveness, psychological depth, and technical innovation. Her works continue to inspire dancers and choreographers, underscoring her vital role in the evolution of modern dance as a powerful and expressive art form.
References
- Craine, Debra, and Judith Mackrell. The Oxford Dictionary of Dance. Oxford University Press, 2000.
- Hubbard, Ruth. The Art of Martha Graham. Harvard University Press, 1994.
- Krasner, David. Easy for You to Say: Obstacles to Creative Self-Expression. Da Capo Press, 1999.
- Sister, Gloria and Margaret. Martha Graham: An American Original. Pantheon Books, 1973.
- Walczak, Mary Liz. Martha Graham in Love and War. University of Nebraska Press, 2012.