From June the 8 until June 13 in 2014 the Martha Graham Dance Company presented eight performances at the Joyce theater featuring four remarkable programs, each combining new commissions with classics. Premiers include 'American Document' by Anne Bogart and 'Dance is a Weapon'. The season is called the company's "Political Dance Project".
Their slogan was "OLD TIMES FEEL LIKE OURS".
Artistic Director Janet Eilber said, “Modern dance took on the plight of the oppressed of all races and backgrounds. Dances were created as if ‘ripped from the headlines’ – with themes that aligned modern dance to the complex social concerns of the day including the financial crisis, civil rights, workers’ rights, and the rise of fascism in Europe. The performances at The Joyce will explore the issues of that time and how they reverberate today in the ongoing dialogue about who we are as a nation.”
I believe the project is meaningful because the project was similar as a dance museum of the soul woks of Martha Graham. By watching the performance people could see how ballet developed in the recent decades and how ballet transfer from "traditional" to "modern." The huge difference between classic ballet the modern dance, even Hip-pop, is not only caused by the discrepancy of ideology of the 20th and 21st century, but also shipped by the exploration and attempt of outstanding artists.
I agree that it is important to recognize that many modern dancers of the mid 20th century were in fact responding to many of the important issues that were occurring at that time. It's hard to imagine creating art of any kind without even subconsciously addressing the very things that are plaguing the society at that time, and I think that dance is a strong outlet to make a point to viewers and have it make a difference.
ReplyDeletei agree with katie. it reminds me that we talked about "dance as weapon" in class before, many dancers of twentieth century used dance to reflect issues.
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