What is Contemporary Dance: The Rich History of Contemporary Dance and its Influence on the Dance World Today

Contemporary dance is a captivating and boundary-defying form of artistic expression and performance art. It has a rich history that intertwines heavily with the evolution of ballet and modern dance.

The Origins of Contemporary Dance

Contemporary dance grew from the rebellion against the constraints of classical ballet by modern dancers. These artists wanted to break free from the rigid structures of ballet and embrace individuality, emotion, and creativity.

Isadora Duncan: Mother of Modern Dance

Isadora Duncan, a California native, is often referred to as the “Mother of Modern Dance”. Joffrey Ballet School states that, “around the turn of the 20th century, Duncan combined American athleticism and natural movements to step beyond the traditional boundaries of classical ballet, incorporating skipping, leaping and jumping to convey emotion through movement.”

Isadora Duncan
Brittanica

Martha Graham: Contract and Release

Martha Graham’s groundbreaking technique, focusing on muscle contraction and release to convey emotions, revolutionized dance training. Graham's choreography, marked by its intensity and psychological themes, laid the foundation for the emotional depth and storytelling that contemporary dance now embodies. In 1926, Graham founded her company and dance school, which continues to thrive today.

According to the Martha Graham Company, “Graham’s repertoire of 181 works has also engaged noted performers such as Mikhail Baryshnikov, Claire Bloom, Margot Fonteyn, Liza Minnelli, Rudolf Nureyev, Maya Plisetskaya, and Kathleen Turner. Her groundbreaking techniques and unmistakable style have earned the Company acclaim from audiences in more than 50 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.”

Martha Graham Dance Company

Lester Horton: Fusion of Dance Forms

Lester Horton, an American dance pioneer, introduced a new dimension to contemporary dance with his unique fusion of dance forms. His technique not only championed technical skill but also celebrated fluidity of movement. He was also heavily influenced by Native American dances. Horton's approach to inclusivity and diverse movement has left an influential mark on contemporary dance.

He is most well known for changing the modern dance landscape and one of the first proponents for racially integrated dance. The Alvin Ailey Company describes Horton Technique as movement that involves “flat backs and lateral stretches, tilt lines and lunges, all movements that could be found in a jazz warm-up. Horton technique also incorporates lyrical, circular movements focusing on stretching in opposite directions.”

Emergence of Contemporary Dance

Contemporary dance began to emerge by taking pieces of all dance that came before and combining them with the styles of the current world. Like modern dance, it rebels against the strict constraints of ballet and focuses on movement as a way to express emotions and creativity.

Merce Cunningham is known to some as the “Founding Father of Postmodern or Contemporary Dance”. He has said the dance and music should not directly coordinate, but should be able to share space and time. As highlighted by the Cunningham trust, “he challenged traditional ideas of dance, such as the roles of the dancers and the audience, the limitations of the stage, and the relationships between movement and beauty. Cunningham's embrace of an expanded possibility of dance, music, and visual arts reads like a how-to for pushing the boundaries of culture for subsequent generations.”

Merce Cunningham in "Antic Meet," with design by Robert Rauschenberg, in 1958. Richard Rutledge

Today’s Contemporary Dance Companies and Notable Dancers

Prominent contemporary dance companies such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Nederlands Dans Theater, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet demonstrate the vitality of the genre. Acclaimed dancers like Akram Khan, Crystal Pite, and Hofesh Shechter stand as torchbearers of contemporary expression, infusing their performances with emotion, storytelling, and innovative spirit.

The allure of contemporary dance extends even to the commercial world, where its fluidity and emotional resonance are harnessed to convey powerful narratives. From music videos to advertisements, contemporary dance brings authenticity and depth to commercial artistry, resonating with audiences on a profound level.

Taking Contemporary Dance Classes in Graz, Austria

Dance studios play a pivotal role in nurturing the contemporary dance scene. Foundations Dance Collective offers dance classes in Graz, Austria that cater to dancers of all levels and ages. We provide a safe and welcoming environment for beginners to explore their own artistic expression and for seasoned performers to refine their skills. In our contemporary dance classes and workshops, our expert dance teachers guide students through the intricacies of contemporary movement, fostering growth and self-expression.

Contemporary Dance Continues to Make Waves

Contemporary dance continues to evolve with the contemporary world. It embraces movement from all types of dance including hip hop, afro, ballet, modern, jazz, commercial, tap, and other styles that emerge. We celebrate the history of contemporary dance by honoring those who came before us, those who set the stage, and those who gave us the ability to perform as we do today.