Brainstorm

Background Information

History of Contemporary dance

Contemporary dance was first discovered at the beginning of the 20th century in the U.S. This particular dance was first presented and practiced by Isadora Duncan (1877-1927) - an American dancer who broke away from classical dance classes and decided to center her choreography around emotions, freedom of movements. Contemporary is famous for its natural and freedom of emotions that dancers experienced, this dance style could link back to music or other styles such as Jazz, Jazz modern, Rock & Roll, Hip-Hop. Some of the first generations of contemporary dance are Ted Shawn, Martha Graham, Jose Limon, and Doris Humphrey.

History of Popping dance

Started during the late 1960s and 70s, the origin of this specific dance style may be difficult to explain since its history sometimes conflicts or overlaps, it also based on different accounts according to the dancer's circle of influence and sometimes region. However, one of the foundation movements in Popping culture (Boogaloo) was invented by Bogaloo Sam in the 60s - 70s, he started off by teaching his brother - Poppin' Pete, and his later cousin Skeeter Rabit. They ended up forming a dance group called Electric Bogaloos (Popping + Boogaloo) and a new dance with the same name was born.

History of Tutting dance

The history and origin of Tutting dance is not well-documented, however, it began in the 1979 and finally caught on with the advent of Funk dance style during the 80s. Tutting started off as the mimictation of Acient Egypt paintings, it was first known as "The King Tut" as in Pharaoh Tutakhamun. First half og the 20th century, this particular dance style is not well-known and the name "Tutting" hasn't been given to it yet, however, the "Tutting" community has grown so thick that performers called themselves "Tutters". The first recorded performance was in 1979, choreographed by Mark Benson, aka, King Boogaloo Tut.

Defining the medium

Defining the definition of Contemporary Dance

Dancers by Francisco Estevez

I myself as well as many other newbies in the industry usually found ourselves struggle with defining "What are the differences between Lyrical, Contemporary and Modern?". While lyrical dance used the element of storytelling, emotional element to intensify the choreography, modern dance style is a lot older compared to contemporary, it has more heavy and more ground texture. Meanwhile, contemporary dance specifically is a dance style rather than a type of dance itself. The mixture of different types of dances such as Jazz, Jazz modern, Modern, or even Ballet really adds more diversity, complexity, and appeal to the texture of Contemporary dance. Although these three dance style has a lot of overlaps technically and emotionally, they are completely unique.

Key movements/techniques of Contemporary Dance

The Cunningham technique

The Cunningham technique was founded by the choreographer - Merce Cunningham. This technique focuses on the dancers' architectural movements, body angles, and shape as well as articulation, rhythm.

The Graham technique

The Cunningham technique was founded by Martha Graham - one of the first generation of dancers in the modern, contemporary dance field. This technique focuses on the application of falling, recovery, contraction, release, etc. Footwork, pelvic and abdominal contractions are the main characteristic of this technique.

The Limon technique

Jose Limon is the first choreographer to established this technique. He found out about the application of gravity to falling, recovering, and suspension. It helps the dancer to work with gravity while performing those movements/techniques.

Defining the definition of Popping Dance

Images from Steezy Studio

Different inventors are involved when it comes to the origin of Popping culture. Popping dance is the motion of cooperating different parts of your body to create stop-motion illusion, gliding motions, or the fluid motions creating the expression of having no bones. There are various amount of techniques and key movements when it comes to Popping, different elements/techniques have different backgrounds as well (The list of my personal favorite techniques is below). If you remembered what I said about Contemporary, Lyrical, Modern, the same goes with Popping & Locking. These two dance styles are usually mistaken, however, they are completely different with none of the techniques/movements overlaps each other.

Key movements/techniques of Popping Dance

The Dime stop

This is a technique where dancers create an effect of stopping suddenly, moving at a steady pace then coming to a clean halt without being shaky.

The Boogaloo

The Boogaloo technique is a loose, fluid body movement that involves the isolated circular rolls of body parts.

The Tutting

The tutting or as known as the "King Tut" means creating angular shapes and pictures with different body parts, mostly with your arms or hands.

Defining the definition of Tutting Dance

Images from Pinterest

The origin of tutting is actually a part of Popping dance (Developed during the late 60s-80s). Tutting is a modern dance based on mathematical and geometric angles and shapes, dancers use their body (mostly hands and arms) to create these angles. There are many ways to perform tutting, performing tutting using the wholde body to create angles is called "big moves", whereas doing tutting with only arms & hands (also known as "finger tutt) is called "small moves".

Key movements/techniques of Tutting Dance

There aren't any records of specific techniques that Tutting possessed. Below are some common concepts and training requirements of this specific field.

The "Big moves"

Using the whole body to emphasize the angles and shape of the dancer's figure following specific beats/songs.

The "Small moves"

Using only arms & hands (or even fingers) to capture the geometrical movements following specific beats/songs.

Wrist stretch to increase strength in Tutting

Just like any other type of dance. Tutting required stretching and be able to extend the area from the wrist down. Flexibility in the wrist area is a necessity for dancers to perform complex pieces of artwork.

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