American new dance

American New Dance refers to a style of modern dance that emerged in the United States in the mid-20th century. It is characterized by its emphasis on experimentation, innovation, and pushing the boundaries of traditional dance forms.

American New Dance was influenced by a range of factors, including:

  1. Modern dance: The work of pioneers such as Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, and Hanya Holm, who developed modern dance techniques that emphasized expressiveness and emotional intensity.
  2. Postmodernism: The artistic and cultural movement that rejected traditional forms and conventions, embracing instead experimentation, fragmentation, and playfulness.
  3. African American and Latinx cultural traditions: The influence of African American and Latinx music, dance, and art, which brought new rhythms, movements, and aesthetics to the dance form.
  4. Improvisation: The emphasis on improvisation and spontaneity, which allowed dancers to create new movements and expressions in the moment.

Some key characteristics of American New Dance include:

  1. Experimentation with form and structure: American New Dance often rejected traditional narrative structures and instead emphasized experimentation with form, texture, and atmosphere.
  2. Emphasis on movement quality: Dancers focused on developing a range of movement qualities, including fluidity, precision, and expressiveness.
  3. Use of everyday movements: American New Dance often incorporated everyday movements and gestures, such as walking, running, and falling, into the dance vocabulary.
  4. Collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches: American New Dance often involved collaboration with other artists, such as musicians, visual artists, and poets, and incorporated elements from other art forms, such as music, theater, and visual art.

Some notable American New Dance companies and choreographers include:

  1. The Judson Dance Theater: A group of dancers and choreographers who emerged in the 1960s and 1970s, known for their experimental and improvisational approach to dance.
  2. The Trisha Brown Dance Company: Founded by Trisha Brown in 1970, this company is known for its innovative and often humorous approach to dance, which incorporates elements of everyday movement and visual art.
  3. The Merce Cunningham Dance Company: Founded by Merce Cunningham in 1953, this company is known for its emphasis on improvisation and collaboration, and its use of chance and indeterminacy in the creative process.
  4. The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Founded by Alvin Ailey in 1958, this company is known for its powerful and expressive performances, which often incorporate elements of African American cultural traditions.

Some notable American New Dance choreographers include:

  1. Trisha Brown: Known for her innovative and often humorous approach to dance, which incorporates elements of everyday movement and visual art.
  2. Merce Cunningham: A pioneer of American New Dance, known for his emphasis on improvisation and collaboration, and his use of chance and indeterminacy in the creative process.
  3. Alvin Ailey: A founder of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, known for his powerful and expressive performances, which often incorporate elements of African American cultural traditions.
  4. Twyla Tharp: A choreographer known for her eclectic and often humorous approach to dance, which incorporates elements of jazz, ballet, and modern dance.

Overall, American New Dance is a style of modern dance that emphasizes experimentation, innovation, and pushing the boundaries of traditional dance forms. It is characterized by its emphasis on movement quality, improvisation, and collaboration, and its use of everyday movements and gestures.