POLANGUI OMMUNITY COLLEGE

Alnay, Polangui, Albay

Research
Work
In
PATHFIT 4
Submitted by: Regilme, Diana R.
BPA – 2B

Submitted to:
V. NIDUA
 Contemporary Dance

Contemporary dance is a genre of dance performance that developed during the mid-
twentieth century. It has since grown to become one of the dominant genres for formally trained
dancers throughout the world, with particularly strong popularity in the U S and Europe. This
expressive dance style combines elements from several other dance genres, including modern
dance, jazz, lyrical, and classical ballet. Contemporary dancers strive to connect the mind and
body through fluid movements, allowing them to express emotionally through their dance.

In terms of the focus of its technique, contemporary dance tends to combine the strong but
controlled legwork of ballet with modern that stresses on torso. It also employs contract-
release, floor work, fall and recovery, and improvisation characteristics of modern dance.
Unpredictable changes in rhythm, speed, and direction are often used, as well. Additionally,
contemporary dance sometimes incorporates elements of non-western dance cultures, such as
elements from African dance including bent knees, or movements from the Japanese contemporary
dance.

Historical Backgrounds

Isadora Duncan (1878–1927)

 Often regarded as the pioneer of contemporary dance, Isadora Duncan was a trailblazing
American dancer who broke away from the rigid conventions of classical ballet.
 She sought to express herself more naturally through movement, emphasizing freedom,
emotion, and individuality.
 Duncan’s choreography was characterized by flowing, organic movements, often inspired
by nature and ancient Greek art.
 Her influence laid the groundwork for the emergence of contemporary dance as a distinct
genre.

Martha Graham (1894–1991)

  Martha Graham, an American dancer and choreographer, significantly shaped
contemporary dance during the mid-20th century.
 She developed her own technique, known as “Graham technique,” which emphasized
contraction and release, spirals, and grounded movements.
 Graham’s choreography explored themes of human struggle, emotion, and the human
condition.
 Her contributions to modern dance and contemporary dance continue to resonate with
dancers and audiences worldwide.

Merce Cunningham (1919–2009)

 Merce Cunningham was an avant-garde American choreographer who collaborated

closely with composer John Cage.
 He challenged traditional notions of dance by embracing randomness, abstraction, and
unconventional movement.
 Cunningham’s approach involved separating dance from music and allowing each
element to exist independently.
 His work pushed the boundaries of what dance could be, inspiring countless artists and
shaping contemporary dance aesthetics.

Paul Taylor (1930–2018)

 Paul Taylor, an American choreographer, blended athleticism, humor, and emotional

depth in his dance works.
 His choreography often featured everyday gestures and interactions, making it accessible
and relatable.
 Taylor’s contributions to contemporary dance include a wide range of styles, from
abstract to narrative pieces.

Twyla Tharp (born 1941)

 Twyla Tharp is an American choreographer known for her eclectic approach to dance.
  She seamlessly merged ballet, jazz, modern dance, and even popular music into her
choreography.
 Tharp’s works are dynamic, energetic, and innovative, reflecting her commitment to
pushing artistic boundaries.

By the 1980s, the term contemporary dance described routines that didn’t adhere to the strict
rules of classical dance. Contemporary dancers of this era began to create new dynamics,
exploring unconventional movements and pushing the limits of the human form. Their moves
combined dance styles from around the world. Some even traced back to ancient techniques
found in the practices of Eastern philosophies, such as Indian Hatha Yoga, Pilates, and Zen
Buddhism. Techniques often included systematic breathing, expression of emotion, rapid
oppositional moves, and contrasting rhythms and postures. Many movements were also
performed in prone and other non-standing positions.

Different Genres

Contemporary Ballet

 This genre combines classical ballet techniques with modern and expressive movements.
 Dancers often perform fluid, non-traditional ballet steps, emphasizing emotion and
individuality.

Dance Improvisation

 Improvisation is a key aspect of contemporary dance.

 Dancers explore spontaneous movement, responding to their surroundings, emotions, and
music without predetermined choreography.

Interpretive Dance
 Interpretive dance focuses on conveying emotions, ideas, or stories through movement.
 Dancers interpret music, poetry, or other artistic forms, creating a unique and personal
expression.
Lyrical Dance

 Lyrical dance blends ballet, jazz, and modern dance.

 It emphasizes fluidity, emotional connection, and storytelling through movement.

Graham Technique
 Named after Martha Graham, this technique emphasizes contraction and release, spirals,
and grounded movements.
 It explores themes of struggle, emotion, and the human condition

Humphrey-Weidman Technique

 Developed by Doris Humphrey and Charles Weidman, this technique focuses on fall and
recovery, weight shifts, and breath.
 It aims to express inner feelings and experiences.

Horton Technique
 Created by Lester Horton, this technique emphasizes strength, flexibility, and anatomical
alignment.
 It incorporates diverse movements, including flat backs, lateral stretches, and spirals.

Bartenieff Fundamentals
 Developed by Irmgard Bartenieff, this approach focuses on body connectivity, alignment,
and efficient movement patterns.
 It enhances dancers’ awareness of their bodies and spatial relationships.

Isadora Duncan’s Free Dance

 Isadora Duncan rebelled against rigid ballet conventions, emphasizing natural, flowing
movements.
 Her legacy influenced contemporary dance by promoting freedom and individual
expression.
Fusion Styles
 Contemporary dance often blends with other genres, such as jazz, hip-hop, or ethnic
dance forms.
  Fusion styles allow for creativity and cross-cultural exploration.

Dance Terminology

Abstraction - When applied to dance, abstraction refers to choreography that does not
have a narrative character. An abstract dance does not tell a story or convey symbolic content; it
focuses solely on movement itself. Choreographers create abstract pieces by emphasizing pure
movement and its components, such as space, time, and body.

Accumulation - Introduced by American choreographer Trisha Brown in the

1970s, accumulation describes a compositional method. It involves gradually and repetitively
building up gestures within a choreography. Trisha Brown’s works popularized this term in the
dance community.

Alignment - refers to how your limbs, torso, and head are placed in relation to each
other. Depending on the dance genre, alignment can vary according to specific aesthetic goals.

Arch - is a position in which the whole or upper body is extended, creating a curved
shape.

Beat - The beat is the basic unit used to measure time in both choreography and music. It
is the pulse that occurs repeatedly with a certain frequency. When dancing, beats are what we
count – like “five, six, seven, eight!”.

References

Contemporary dance - Wikipedia

What Is Contemporary Dance? (liveabout.com)

What Is Contemporary Dance? A History of Contemporary Dance - 2024 - Masterclass

DK Arts & Entertainment: Dance (factmonster.com)

https://www.dancelifemap.com/contemporary/