Throughout Martha Graham’s lifetime, the world profound dancer and choreographer redefined modern dance as it was seen at this time. Graham was born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, on May 11, 1894. Graham was identified as a pioneer and innovator of modern dance in this era as she rebelled against other creator’s of modern dance. Her influence on modern dance can be seen through the codified system of technique she created. This is likewise perceived through Graham developing choreographies using unique themes such as America/Patriotism and Female/Psyche. Graham additionally advanced modern dance through her unique performances. As a result of her technique, choreography and performance, Graham has positively influenced the development of modern
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In the early 1920’s, dance was specifically for entertainment; this was predominately seen throughout the ballet genre. The rebelling was first seen through Isadora Duncan who similarly rejected ballet and the structure, conventions and restrictions within this era. Founded by Ruth St Denis and Ted Shawn, their company ‘Denishawn’ likewise rebelled against ballet and further rejected the ideas that Duncan offered. Graham focused on creating a technique, which includes structure while also including purpose; this is still relevant through the existence and importance of this technique today. This foundation of technique that Graham created rebelled against all three pioneers and systems of dance. This purposeful technique that she created was later used as groundwork for her performances and choreographies. The foundation of the Graham technique focused on the person’s reaction when inhaling and exhaling; this is now called a contraction and release in her …show more content…
Other genres focused on entertaining through a story however Graham evidently reverted to using themes such as patriotism and female protagonists. Her earlier works incorporated aspects of Denishawn’s movement style due to her foundation of dancing at Denishawn under the instruction of Ted Shawn. This later evolved into other unique themes such as worshiping America, often seen in her earlier works. Frontier (1935) was a prime example of where Graham started rebelling against other pioneers of dance through unique themes not seen in dance in this era. The patriot-based choreography was devised of a solo, which was based around the conquest of the American Frontier; this was additionally the first event where Graham collaborated with set designer Isamu Noguchi. In the early 1940’s is where Graham experimented using themes involving a female protagonist, often psychological. Devised from a poem by Dylan Thomas of the same name, Deaths & Entrances (1934) focused on female empowerment in this era. The choreography additionally took inspiration from the ‘Bronte Sisters’ due to their works focus on societies restrictions and tractions on women. Deaths & Entrances broke the tradition of superficial themes as seen in ballet and other pioneers work in this era, this rebelling assisted in creating an
In the early 1920’s, dance was specifically for entertainment; this was predominately seen throughout the ballet genre. The rebelling was first seen through Isadora Duncan who similarly rejected ballet and the structure, conventions and restrictions within this era. Founded by Ruth St Denis and Ted Shawn, their company ‘Denishawn’ likewise rebelled against ballet and further rejected the ideas that Duncan offered. Graham focused on creating a technique, which includes structure while also including purpose; this is still relevant through the existence and importance of this technique today. This foundation of technique that Graham created rebelled against all three pioneers and systems of dance. This purposeful technique that she created was later used as groundwork for her performances and choreographies. The foundation of the Graham technique focused on the person’s reaction when inhaling and exhaling; this is now called a contraction and release in her …show more content…
Other genres focused on entertaining through a story however Graham evidently reverted to using themes such as patriotism and female protagonists. Her earlier works incorporated aspects of Denishawn’s movement style due to her foundation of dancing at Denishawn under the instruction of Ted Shawn. This later evolved into other unique themes such as worshiping America, often seen in her earlier works. Frontier (1935) was a prime example of where Graham started rebelling against other pioneers of dance through unique themes not seen in dance in this era. The patriot-based choreography was devised of a solo, which was based around the conquest of the American Frontier; this was additionally the first event where Graham collaborated with set designer Isamu Noguchi. In the early 1940’s is where Graham experimented using themes involving a female protagonist, often psychological. Devised from a poem by Dylan Thomas of the same name, Deaths & Entrances (1934) focused on female empowerment in this era. The choreography additionally took inspiration from the ‘Bronte Sisters’ due to their works focus on societies restrictions and tractions on women. Deaths & Entrances broke the tradition of superficial themes as seen in ballet and other pioneers work in this era, this rebelling assisted in creating an