About the book
American Society for Aesthetics Selma Jeanne Cohen Prize in Dance Aesthetics
Examining a century of dance criticism in the United States and its influence on aesthetics and inclusion
Dance criticism has long been integral to dance as an art form, serving as documentation and validation of dance performances, yet few studies have taken a close look at the impact of key critics and approaches to criticism over time. The first book to examine dance criticism in the United States across 100 years, from the late 1920s to the early twenty-first century, Shaping Dance Canons argues that critics in the popular press have influenced how dance has been defined and valued, as well as which artists and dance forms have been taken most seriously.
Kate Mattingly likens the effect of dance writing to that of a flashlight, illuminating certain aesthetics at the expense of others. Mattingly shows how criticism can preserve and reproduce criteria for what qualifies as high art through generations of writers and in dance history courses, textbooks, and curricular design. She examines the gatekeeping role of prominent critics such as John Martin and Yvonne Rainer while highlighting the often-overlooked perspectives of writers from minoritized backgrounds and dance traditions. The book also includes an analysis of digital platforms and current dance projects—On the Boards TV, thINKingDANCE, Black Dance Stories, and amara tabor-smith’s House/Full of BlackWomen—that challenge systemic exclusions. In doing so, the book calls for ongoing dialogue and action to make dance criticism more equitable and inclusive.
Editions of Shaping Dance Canons
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780813069630
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780813081731
- EBook
- ISBN 9780813072845
- PDF
- ISBN 9780813070490
Read an Excerpt
American Society for Aesthetics Selma Jeanne Cohen Prize in Dance Aesthetics
Examining a century of dance criticism in the United States and its influence on aesthetics and inclusion
Dance criticism has long been integral to dance as an art form, serving as documentation and validation of dance performances, yet few studies have taken a close look at the impact of key critics and approaches to criticism over time. The first book to examine dance criticism in the United States across 100 years, from the late 1920s to the early twenty-first century, Shaping Dance Canons argues that critics in the popular press have influenced how dance has been defined and valued, as well as which artists and dance forms have been taken most seriously.
Kate Mattingly likens the effect of dance writing to that of a flashlight, illuminating certain aesthetics at the expense of others. Mattingly shows how criticism can preserve and reproduce criteria for what qualifies as high art through generations of writers and in dance history courses, textbooks, and curricular design. She examines the gatekeeping role of prominent critics such as John Martin and Yvonne Rainer while highlighting the often-overlooked perspectives of writers from minoritized backgrounds and dance traditions. The book also includes an analysis of digital platforms and current dance projects—On the Boards TV, thINKingDANCE, Black Dance Stories, and amara tabor-smith’s House/Full of BlackWomen—that challenge systemic exclusions. In doing so, the book calls for ongoing dialogue and action to make dance criticism more equitable and inclusive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shaping Dance Canons about?
American Society for Aesthetics Selma Jeanne Cohen Prize in Dance Aesthetics
Examining a century of dance criticism in the United States and its influence on aesthetics and inclusion
Dance criticism has long been integral to dance as an art form, serving as documentation and validation of dance performances, yet few studies have taken a close look at the impact of key critics and approaches to criticism over time. The first book to examine dance criticism in the United States across 100 years, from the late 1920s to the early twenty-first century, Shaping Dance Canons argues that critics in the popular press have influenced how dance has been defined and valued, as well as which artists and dance forms have been taken most seriously.
Kate Mattingly likens the effect of dance writing to that of a flashlight, illuminating certain aesthetics at the expense of others. Mattingly shows how criticism can preserve and reproduce criteria for what qualifies as high art through generations of writers and in dance history courses, textbooks, and curricular design. She examines the gatekeeping role of prominent critics such as John Martin and Yvonne Rainer while highlighting the often-overlooked perspectives of writers from minoritized backgrounds and dance traditions. The book also includes an analysis of digital platforms and current dance projects—On the Boards TV, thINKingDANCE, Black Dance Stories, and amara tabor-smith’s House/Full of BlackWomen—that challenge systemic exclusions. In doing so, the book calls for ongoing dialogue and action to make dance criticism more equitable and inclusive.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Shaping Dance Canons?
The Arts > Performing arts > Dance
Where can I read a sample of Shaping Dance Canons?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780813069630
How long is Shaping Dance Canons and how many pages does it have?
Shaping Dance Canons has 240 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Shaping Dance Canons?
Kate Mattingly
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Shaping Dance Canons is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780813069630) and paperback(ISBN 9780813081731) and ebook(ISBN 9780813072845) and pdf(ISBN 9780813070490)
Where can I buy Shaping Dance Canons online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Shaping Dance Canons from below
Where can I buy Shaping Dance Canons?