Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey Agenda Things to Get Paper from the front of the room if there is paper Things to Do Opener Review of Modern Art and Music Class work Modern Dance ID: 310242
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Slide1
Modern Dance Day One
Martha Graham and Alvin AileySlide2
Agenda
Things to Get:
Paper from the front of the room (if there is paper
)
Things to Do:
Opener:
Review of Modern Art and Music
Class work:
Modern Dance
Martha Graham
Alvin Ailey
Exit Slip:
Review of Modern DanceSlide3
Opener
Complete this on your paper.
1) Identify two symbols in the piece below and explain why they are anti-war symbols.
2) Use the song being played to answer the following questions:
A) The piece being played is a mix of what two genres?
B) Identify two timbres found in this piece that represent each of the genres mentioned above. C) Explain how the timbres above reflect the genres stated in Part A. 3) This is Dali’s Persistence of Memory. Explain the symbolism found in the watches. Slide4
Modern Dance Slide5
Modern Dance Characteristics
Definition:
20th century dance form
that emerged as
expression of rebellion against classical ballet
Founded by:Isadora Duncan Characteristics:The torso began to be seen as the source of the dance movement
instead of the feet as in balletfree-flowing costumes loose hairbare feet using the torso
Fundamental Ideas:
Rejection of the societal restrictions placed on women
Free flowing, creative styleSlide6
Video: Preview
What are the characteristics of Modern dance?
Answer the questions on your learning guide as you watch the following clip. Slide7
Martha Graham
“Martha Graham was to modern dance what Pablo Picasso was to Modern art.”
May 11,
1894
- April 1,
1991Made America the center of Modern Dance 70 year career; 180 worksThemes include:Fusion of abstract gestures and psychological symbolsAmerican heritageClassical tragedyDevelop technique
that includes:Fierce pelvic contractions
Flexed feet
Contorted cupped hands
Rugged “floor work”
Major Work: Appalachian SpringSlide8
Major Work: Appalachian Spring
Composition:
Music composed by Aaron Copland
Set designed by Isamu Noguchi
Plot:
Centers around the early 19th century wedding of a young pioneer couple embarking as homesteaders in the Pennsylvania frontier wildernessThe cast of characters includes: the bridesthe Husbandmanthe Pioneer Womana Revivalist preacherfour girl Followers (of the preacher)Slide9
Preview Activity
On the space provided on the learning guide, sketch your interpretation of the following:
Character’s Costumes
the bride
the Husbandman
the Pioneer Womana Revivalist preacherfour girl Followers (of the preacher)Note: Just sketch one of the above (one character) Set DesignWhat does a dance about the Pennsylvania frontier look like in terms of costumes and set design?Time allotted: 8 min. Slide10
Appalachian Spring
Answer the questions on your viewing guide as we watch this clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmgaKGSxQVw
Slide11
Alvin Ailey
1931-1989
Dancer and Choreographer
Trained with Lester Horton, Katherine Dunham and Martha Graham, Stella Adler among others
1958 founded his own company, the Alvin Ailey
American Dance Theater
hugely popular, multi-racial modern dance ensemble
a dance company for African American dancers to perform stories from African American history
First American dance company invited to the Soviet Union.
1969, Ailey founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center now training 3500 students a year
Major Work:
Revelations
, a celebratory study of religious spirit
based on Ailey's own experience of growing up African American in the rural SouthSlide12
Revelations and Slave Spirituals
Alvin Ailey’s major work was
Revelations
and it was based on slave spirituals.
Read the article provided and answer the questions found on your viewing guide to gain a better understanding of slave spirituals.
Assignment: Create a visual image with your group based on the spiritual your group was assigned. Slide13
Slave Spiritual Reading
1) What is a slave spiritual?
2) Where do spirituals trace their history to?
3) Were slaves allowed to keep their original religion?
4) Why did spirituals blend Protestant and African music?
5) Define sorrow songs. 6) How did spirituals allow slaves to communicate with each other?7) When would “Wade in the Water” be sung?8) What are the three reasons why slaves made music?Slide14
Revelations Viewing Guide
Choreographer:
Alvin Ailey
Music:
Traditional Gospels
and HymnsDate: 1986Performers: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (company)Style/Context: Modern Dance/African American History (slavery to freedom)Slide15
Exit Slip
1) How does Modern dance reflect the Women’s Rights Movement?
2) How does Appalachian Spring show the following characteristics of Modern Art:
Breaks with tradition
Uses experimental techniques
Shows the blending of cultures3) Where did Alvin Ailey gain his inspiration for Revelations?4) In the first chapter of Alvin Ailey’s Revelations “I’ve Been Buked,” the triangle or wedge formed at the beginning of the piece is broken when the dancers spread out across the floor. What does this dissolving of the wedge symbolize? a. Being sold into slavery. b. African Cultures c. importance of prayer obtained by the U.S
d. freedom.