Martha Graham

Definition

Martha Graham was an influential American dancer and choreographer, known for revolutionizing modern dance in the 20th century through her innovative techniques and expressive style. Her work emphasized the emotional and psychological aspects of dance, often reflecting themes from literature, history, and mythology. Graham’s choreography often incorporated elements of American culture, which has impacted various forms of performance, including Polynesian vocal traditions and hula.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Martha Graham founded the Martha Graham Dance Company in 1926, which remains one of the oldest and most prominent dance companies in the world.
2. Her choreography often drew inspiration from ancient myths and religious stories, creating a unique blend of storytelling through movement.
3. Graham's technique emphasizes the connection between movement and breath, mirroring natural human emotions and experiences.
4. She received numerous awards throughout her career, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1976 for her contributions to American culture.
5. Martha Graham's influence extended beyond dance into theater and film, impacting how stories can be told through physical expression.

Review Questions

• How did Martha Graham's approach to dance differ from traditional ballet techniques?
  • Martha Graham's approach to dance significantly departed from traditional ballet by focusing on emotional expression rather than technical precision. While ballet emphasizes grace and uniformity, Graham's modern dance techniques highlighted individual interpretation and personal narrative. This shift allowed dancers to explore deeper emotional connections within their performances, making dance a powerful medium for storytelling.
• In what ways did Martha Graham incorporate themes from American culture into her choreography?
  • Martha Graham incorporated themes from American culture into her choreography by reflecting on historical events, societal issues, and folklore. For instance, she often explored the struggles and triumphs of American life through characters inspired by Native American stories or historical figures. This incorporation made her work resonate deeply with audiences and helped establish modern dance as a vital part of American artistic identity.
• Evaluate the impact of Martha Graham’s techniques on contemporary dance forms, including Polynesian vocal traditions and hula.
  • Martha Graham’s techniques have had a lasting impact on contemporary dance forms by encouraging a blend of emotional depth with physical expression. In particular, her use of contraction and release can be seen in various dance styles that prioritize the dancer's connection to their body and the story they tell. This influence extends to Polynesian vocal traditions and hula, where performers embody cultural narratives through movement, reflecting the same ethos of expressing deeper meanings through physicality that Graham championed.

Related terms

Modern Dance: A style of dance that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by a departure from traditional ballet techniques to express more personal and emotional themes.

Contract and Release: A fundamental movement technique developed by Martha Graham, involving the contraction of muscles followed by their release, symbolizing tension and relaxation in dance.

Expressionism: An artistic movement that seeks to express emotional experience rather than physical reality, influencing various art forms including dance, painting, and literature.