Emily Pettis

Prof. Karoly
November 30, 2016
LBST 1101 Dance

Dance Essay
Like music and visual art, dance is form of self-expression composed of
movements to either explain a story or display an array of intricate
movements from the feet to the head. From Ancient Egyptian times to
modern day, dance has evolved over the course of centuries to evolve to our
societys interests. Interest though is not always the main motivation behind
dance as dance is greatly used in cultural ceremonies to celebrate rites of
passage in cultures. These ceremonies could be to celebrate the entrance
into adulthood, marriage, war, new life, death, and the welcoming of the
harvest season. Along as a ceremonial purpose, dance can entail a religious
background to it. Artists like Martha Graham (1894-1991) and Alvin Ailey
(1931-1989) choreography circled all aspects of these purposes.
Martha Graham is part of the first generation of choreographers of
modern dance. Her pieces explored Christianity, Psychology, or History. A lot
of her dances created a story and a lot of them were just pure abstract. One
of her notable pieces of work is called Appalachian Spring (1944). Graham
dedicated this piece in to showing the values and beauty of America. The
dance involves her and a male dancer as they play a newlywed couple
settling in Pennsylvania. The couple explore the community of strength and
courage that are the foundations of America, represented by four female
dancers in the dance, gracefully entice the husband and wife to be part of
the American community.
While Appalachian Spring reflects on the virtuous aspect of America,
second generation choreographer, Alvin Ailey reflects on the dark aspect of
America with his piece Revelations (1960). Revelations reflects on the
experience of Aileys blood memories as a child. The dance is a
combination of sequences that include wade in the water and sinner to
represent the emotions African Americans endured from society. Though
showing frustration and sorrow in wade in the water, Revelations ends
with an uplifting set called Rocka My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham. This
set shows the dancers wearing vibrant colored clothes and dancing joyfully
despite the oppression thats surrounds them. Despite all the praise and
gratification that Revelations has received, Ailey wanted to show America the

treasure of African American Heritage which is, sometimes sorrowful,

sometimes jubilant, but always hopeful (Ailey).