History of contemporary

Time to look into the history of contemporary. I feel to help me with this dance style I should really understand it and I think the best way to do this is to begin by looking at the history of it. I have now learnt it to be a dynamic art form that is ever changing and it has a fascinating history that intertwines creativity, rebellion, and global influences. Later finding out the basic idea of contemporary I first wanted to look deeper into the history of it:

Modern Dance Roots:

• Isadora Duncan, Martha Graham, and Doris Humphrey are pivotal figures in the roots of contemporary dance.

• They challenged the rigid structures of classical ballet, seeking to express personal and social themes through movement.

• Their experimental approaches laid the groundwork for the evolution of contemporary dance.

Postmodernism and Avant-Garde:

• In the mid-20th century, the postmodernist movement disrupted traditional artistic forms.

• Choreographers like Merce Cunningham, Trisha Brown, and Pina Bausch embraced experimentation.

• They incorporated everyday movements, improvisation, and collaboration, moving away from narrative-driven dance.

Global Influences:

• Contemporary dance draws inspiration from diverse cultural traditions and cross-cultural exchanges.

• Choreographers like Alvin Ailey, Akram Khan, and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui fuse Western techniques with elements from African, Asian, and Middle Eastern movement vocabularies.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration:

• Contemporary dance intersects with other artistic disciplines.

• Theatre, music, visual arts, and technology converge, leading to multimedia performances, site-specific works, and immersive experiences.

Political and Social Engagement:

• Many contemporary choreographers use dance as a platform for social commentary and activism.

• They address issues such as inequality, identity, and environmental concerns.

I have found that Contemporary dance is continuing to change,  it changes as the times change and pushes those boundaries of artistic expression. This research is going to help me in the show because now I know how contemporary came to be and I love how strong the story telling elements of this style are.  Weather it is activism or more like a piece where it has a theme, I now really want to make a point in my dance and really connect to the theme to really do this dance justice.

Importance and history of having a good story line in contemporary 

After researching into contemporary I found that story lines are really important, here is what I found about the history of storylines in contemporary.

Historical Origins of Dance Narratives:

• Dance narratives have a rich heritage that dates back to ancient civilizations. Throughout history, dance has been a means of communication, celebration, and storytelling.

• From the ancient Egyptians’ rituals to the classical ballets of the Renaissance, dance has evolved to reflect cultural values, beliefs, and experiences.

• By embodying characters and telling stories through movement, dancers transport audiences to different worlds and evoke powerful emotions.

Expressing Emotions and Ideas Through Movement:

• Dance provides a unique language of movement to express a wide range of emotions and convey intricate ideas.

• Performers use their bodies to communicate without relying on spoken words. This transcends language barriers and connects people on a visceral level.

• Contemporary dance narratives draw inspiration from mythology, literature, and personal experiences. Choreographers blend different styles (such as contemporary, hip-hop, and ballet) to create captivating performances.

Empathy and Connection:

• One of the greatest strengths of narrative dance is its ability to evoke empathy and create a sense of connection.

• The physicality, vulnerability, and emotional depth of dancers allow the audience to connect with the characters and themes of the story.

Powerful Emotional Impact:

• All dance inherently tells a story. It teaches us how to communicate through our bodies, faces, and gestures.

• Often, dance can evoke a more powerful emotional response in an audience than reading words on a page.

Since this is so important I think I am going to create a mental breakdown of what I believe the story line of this dance is. I will break it down so when I am dancing each section of this dance I can have a narrative in mind. I will use this practice to allow me to research further into what I believe this dance to be about. I think this will definitely help me in the final show be able to story tell and emote to the audience. 

Story line research for the dance

Looking into purgatory

After doing this research I have I realized I needed to create a story line so I can connect to the piece and really story tell. When thinking about this piece I always imagined it like we where asking to go to heaven. In that middle ground, after researching into this, I have learnt what I was thinking about is called purgatory. I want to research further into purgatory to really help me understand the narrative I want to portray. Purgatory is a concept in Christianity associated with the idea of a temporary state of purification after death. I'm going to have a look into biblical support, and differing views across Christian traditions.

Definition and Purpose of Purgatory:

• Purgatory is believed to be a place or state where souls undergo purification before entering heaven.

• Souls who have died in a state of grace but still need to be purified from venial sins or temporal punishment spend time in Purgatory.

• The purpose is to achieve the holiness necessary for entering heaven, as nothing impure can enter there (Revelation 21:27).

Process and Experience:

• The purification process in Purgatory may involve suffering or cleansing.

• Unlike hell (which is eternal), Purgatory is temporary. Once the soul is purified, it enters heaven.

Scriptural Support and Tradition:

• The Catholic Church cites passages like 1 Corinthians 3:15 and 1 Peter 1:7 to imply the need for post-death purification.

• Praying for the dead is also seen in the Bible (2 Maccabees 12:45) and early Christian tradition.

Views in Other Christian Traditions:

• Eastern Orthodox Church: While lacking a formal doctrine of Purgatory, they believe in a post-death purification process. They pray for the dead.

• Protestant Denominations: Most reject Purgatory. They emphasize immediate judgment after death based on faith in Christ.

Key Differences:

• Catholicism: Purgatory is a temporary, purifying process for those who die in a state of grace.

• Protestantism: Emphasizes salvation by grace through faith alone, without an intermediate state like Purgatory.

Also I found that it is important to note that beliefs about Purgatory vary among Christian denominations, and not all accept this concept. It remains a topic of theological discussion and interpretation, which is good when I want to make it my mental concept of a dance. This research has really opened my brain and I think now I have so much inspiration to go off of when I am dancing. I think the idea of purgatory is truly fascinating and I can't wait to be performing this dance since I find dancing to be very cleansing and purgatory is supposed to cleanse so that it will be easier to portray. In the more intense part of out dance I can portray a vibe that we are going through the torture so we can make it through. At the end we do this move and the music dials down, I think this will be when my character goes to heaven. This imagery I feel is really going to help me emote and perform this piece to the best of my ability's.

The Ailey School

The Ailey School Contemporary program is an integral part of the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre's educational arm, offering aspiring dancers a rigorous and immersive training experience in contemporary dance. Founded by Alvin Ailey himself, the school embodies his commitment to excellence, innovation and inclusivity in dance education.  The contemporary program at The Ailey School is designed to cultivate versatile dancers who are proficient in various styles of contemporary dance, including modern, jazz, and ballet. Students undergo comprehensive training in technique, improvisation, choreography, and performance, providing them with the skills and artistic sensitivity necessary to thrive in today's dynamic dance landscape. One of the distinctive features of The Ailey School's contemporary program is its emphasis on the Ailey style, which blends elements of Horton technique, Graham technique, and West African dance with Ailey's own choreographic language. This unique fusion of styles creates a dynamic and expressive movement vocabulary that is both challenging and exhilarating for students to explore. In addition to technique classes, students in the contemporary program have the opportunity to work closely with world-class faculty and guest artists who bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the classroom. Through workshops, master classes, and rehearsals, students gain invaluable insights into the creative process and receive personalized guidance to help them reach their full potential as dancers and artists. The Ailey School Contemporary program also fosters a supportive and inclusive learning environment, where students from diverse backgrounds come together to share their passion for dance and inspire one another to excel. Whether aspiring to join professional dance companies, pursue choreographic endeavours, or teach and share their love of dance with others, graduates of the program emerge with the skills, confidence, and artistic integrity to make a meaningful impact in the dance world and beyond.

Alvin Ailey, a luminary in the world of dance, left an indelible mark on the art form. Understanding the ethos and training approach of The Ailey School Contemporary program can profoundly enhance my performance when doing our contemporary dance knowing that the program emphasizes a holistic approach to contemporary dance training, encompassing various styles and techniques. By immersing myself in this training methodology, I can refine my technical skills, improve my body awareness, and develop greater control and fluidity in my movements. This technical proficiency will enable me to execute choreography with precision and expressiveness, enhancing the overall quality of my performance. The Ailey School Contemporary program encourages dancers to cultivate their artistic voice and develop a deep connection to the material they perform. Through exploration of improvisation, choreography, and performance techniques, they refine the ability to communicate emotion, narrative, and intention through movement. I am going to try and do this for our contemporary dance. This heightened artistic expression will help my performance with authenticity, resonance, and depth, captivating the audience and leaving a lasting impression. I am going to try and dance to the standard of an Ailey dancer in our show by incorporating all I have learnt about the programme and Alvin Ailey.