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❂ Free Form

not conforming to a regular or formal structure or shape

 

❂ Weighted

Where ballet is meant to appear weightless, modern dance  is meant to feel and look weightless

 

❂ Fluidity

Describes a visual aspect of the genre; movement appears fluid and organic

 

❂ Floor Work 

Adding to the weighted sensation, much of modern dance has to do with the relationship between the dancer and the floor

 

❂ Fall and Recovery 

Describes movement often used in modern dance which adds to the weighted sensation

 

❂ Core 

When one dances modern dance, they dance from their core or lower abdomin

 

❂ Improvisation

Modern dance was founded on rebellion, and improvisation is at the root of the genre

ELEMENTS OF MODERN

      Modern is a genre of dance that came about in the early 1900s as a rebellion to the classical genre of ballet. Since its’ origins, it has inspired and been incorporated in countless popular dance genres. Modern dance focuses on self awareness, and movement from the core. It has a certain fluidity and organic quality to it, and is centered around efficient and natural body movement. Most of today’s dance styles wouldn’t be around had it not been for Modern Dance.

 

      This experience as a whole has been an extremely rewarding one. I started studying modern dance at the beginning of the semester when I enrolled in the class at ASU, taught by Grace Gallagher. Every Tuesday and Thursday morning I emerged myself in the completely foreign experience, and I couldn’t be happier that I did. Not only did I learn the history of the art, but I was fortunate enough to be able to partake in it twice a week. I learned (still learning) how to utilize my space, and my relationship with the floor and walls around me. I learned how to move my body efficiently and naturally. In all of this, I learned self awareness, and what it means to truly be present. 

 

      I think that is the biggest thing that I took away from this learning process. Some of the biggest themes of Modern Dance are freedom of movement and being present and self aware. These are all things that are not only useful in modern dance, but they also prove useful and important in every day life, and I’m so happy I had the opportunity to dive into something so new and different. 

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