Martha Graham’s “Lamentation,” like many of her other works, is a direct expression of emotion; an expression of emotion through body movements. Graham was known as the “Mother of Modern Dance” and for her technique “contraction and release.” She also focused on the stability and strength of the body and keeping its control. This technique was in efforts to develop and maintain flexibility in the spine and hips, specifically in a seated position. “Lamentation” was created in response to the grief, sorrow and anger during the Great Depression. This piece was simplistic but spoke so much through the use of her body and facial expressions. The video features an interview Graham had in 1976, following the “Lamentation” performed by Peggy Lyman.
…show more content…
This piece was meant to share feelings and emotions and the dance start with the expression of denial or being unable to accept what’s happening in her surrounding. Although, the legs stayed still in its rectangular form as she was sitting on the bench, her upper body was the main focus. Her elbows were in a triangular form and resting on her knees. While her torso was still, the only part of her body moving was her head; shaking from left to right.
The audience will see a little progressive body movement beginning at 2:06 and repeated similar movements up to 2:27. There’s an expression of being shaken and unstable. Her once perfect posture became disrupted with more of the grieving emotion. At first her head was shaking right and left, but it progressed with her torso following the same movements. Her spine stretched backwards in a convex position with her head tipped back; simultaneously her right leg lifts up as her back bends backwards. She begins this phrase towards her right side first and continues on the …show more content…
At 3:47 Lyman, for the first time in this performance, stands up off the bench and is facing upward. Again, another representation of what looks is a cry for help. It follows with a close up of her actual facial expression. Her face looks lost and afraid, as if there was no hope for better. Her arm and torso then begin to lean towards the ground; to reflect the emotion of deep sorrow and sobbing/weeping. The same emotion is again seen at 4:25, but this time it was up close. Her hands were covering her mouth and her eyes are what draw in all the emotion. Her weeping body motions are a reflection of the emotions in her facial
This piece was meant to share feelings and emotions and the dance start with the expression of denial or being unable to accept what’s happening in her surrounding. Although, the legs stayed still in its rectangular form as she was sitting on the bench, her upper body was the main focus. Her elbows were in a triangular form and resting on her knees. While her torso was still, the only part of her body moving was her head; shaking from left to right.
The audience will see a little progressive body movement beginning at 2:06 and repeated similar movements up to 2:27. There’s an expression of being shaken and unstable. Her once perfect posture became disrupted with more of the grieving emotion. At first her head was shaking right and left, but it progressed with her torso following the same movements. Her spine stretched backwards in a convex position with her head tipped back; simultaneously her right leg lifts up as her back bends backwards. She begins this phrase towards her right side first and continues on the …show more content…
At 3:47 Lyman, for the first time in this performance, stands up off the bench and is facing upward. Again, another representation of what looks is a cry for help. It follows with a close up of her actual facial expression. Her face looks lost and afraid, as if there was no hope for better. Her arm and torso then begin to lean towards the ground; to reflect the emotion of deep sorrow and sobbing/weeping. The same emotion is again seen at 4:25, but this time it was up close. Her hands were covering her mouth and her eyes are what draw in all the emotion. Her weeping body motions are a reflection of the emotions in her facial