About the book
In 1930, dancer and choreographer Martha Graham proclaimed the arrival of “dance as an art of and from America.” Dancers such as Doris Humphrey, Ted Shawn, Katherine Dunham, and Helen Tamiris joined Graham in creating a new form of dance, and, like other modernists, they experimented with and argued over their aesthetic innovations, to which they assigned great meaning.
Their innovations, however, went beyond aesthetics. While modern dancers devised new ways of moving bodies in accordance with many modernist principles, their artistry was indelibly shaped by their place in society. Modern dance was distinct from other artistic genres in terms of the people it attracted: white women (many of whom were Jewish), gay men, and African American men and women. Women held leading roles in the development of modern dance on stage and off; gay men recast the effeminacy often associated with dance into a hardened, heroic, American athleticism; and African Americans contributed elements of social, African, and Caribbean dance, even as their undervalued role defined the limits of modern dancers' communal visions. Through their art, modern dancers challenged conventional roles and images of gender, sexuality, race, class, and regionalism with a view of American democracy that was confrontational and participatory, authorial and populist.
Modern Bodies exposes the social dynamics that shaped American modernism and moved modern dance to the edges of society, a place both provocative and perilous.
Editions of Modern Bodies
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807826980
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780807853672
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807862025
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890872791
Read an Excerpt
In 1930, dancer and choreographer Martha Graham proclaimed the arrival of “dance as an art of and from America.” Dancers such as Doris Humphrey, Ted Shawn, Katherine Dunham, and Helen Tamiris joined Graham in creating a new form of dance, and, like other modernists, they experimented with and argued over their aesthetic innovations, to which they assigned great meaning.
Their innovations, however, went beyond aesthetics. While modern dancers devised new ways of moving bodies in accordance with many modernist principles, their artistry was indelibly shaped by their place in society. Modern dance was distinct from other artistic genres in terms of the people it attracted: white women (many of whom were Jewish), gay men, and African American men and women. Women held leading roles in the development of modern dance on stage and off; gay men recast the effeminacy often associated with dance into a hardened, heroic, American athleticism; and African Americans contributed elements of social, African, and Caribbean dance, even as their undervalued role defined the limits of modern dancers' communal visions. Through their art, modern dancers challenged conventional roles and images of gender, sexuality, race, class, and regionalism with a view of American democracy that was confrontational and participatory, authorial and populist.
Modern Bodies exposes the social dynamics that shaped American modernism and moved modern dance to the edges of society, a place both provocative and perilous.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Modern Bodies about?
In 1930, dancer and choreographer Martha Graham proclaimed the arrival of “dance as an art of and from America.” Dancers such as Doris Humphrey, Ted Shawn, Katherine Dunham, and Helen Tamiris joined Graham in creating a new form of dance, and, like other modernists, they experimented with and argued over their aesthetic innovations, to which they assigned great meaning.
Their innovations, however, went beyond aesthetics. While modern dancers devised new ways of moving bodies in accordance with many modernist principles, their artistry was indelibly shaped by their place in society. Modern dance was distinct from other artistic genres in terms of the people it attracted: white women (many of whom were Jewish), gay men, and African American men and women. Women held leading roles in the development of modern dance on stage and off; gay men recast the effeminacy often associated with dance into a hardened, heroic, American athleticism; and African Americans contributed elements of social, African, and Caribbean dance, even as their undervalued role defined the limits of modern dancers' communal visions. Through their art, modern dancers challenged conventional roles and images of gender, sexuality, race, class, and regionalism with a view of American democracy that was confrontational and participatory, authorial and populist.
Modern Bodies exposes the social dynamics that shaped American modernism and moved modern dance to the edges of society, a place both provocative and perilous.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Modern Bodies?
The Arts > Performing arts > Dance > Contemporary dance
Where can I read a sample of Modern Bodies?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807826980
How long is Modern Bodies and how many pages does it have?
Modern Bodies has 272 page(s)
Is Modern Bodies part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Cultural Studies of the United States
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Modern Bodies?
Julia L. Foulkes
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Modern Bodies is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807826980) and paperback(ISBN 9780807853672) and ebook(ISBN 9780807862025) and pdf(ISBN 9798890872791)
Where can I buy Modern Bodies online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Modern Bodies from below
Where can I buy Modern Bodies?