How Did Alvin Ailey Contribute To Dance
“Power is at the center of dance's position in culture.” (14). Often times, dance is overlooked as a powerful form of expression. Choreographer, Alvin Ailey, has been greatly influential in both the dance world and society. He surpassed what he had hoped to accomplish by creating a unique style of movement, having a resounding impact on the world of modern dance, founding his dance company and accomplishing praiseworthy works that has inspired many to carry on his legacy. When Alvin Ailey Jr. was about six months old, his father had left the family. This was the start of a very rough childhood for him. He was born in a time unlike today, where racial segregation was unquestionably prevalent in America. (1) In 1942, when Alvin was eleven years …show more content…
His praise was earned through his activism which managed to uplift modern dance to a popular stance, transforming the world of ballet. (6) Ailey said “The cultural heritage of the American Negro is one of America’s richest treasures. From his roots as a slave, the American Negro- sometimes sorrowing, sometimes jubilant but always hopeful- has touched, illuminated, and influenced the most remote preserves of world civilisation. I and my dance theatre celebrate this trembling beauty.” (10) The experience of growing up as an African American seemed to have both hurt and helped him. No other choreographer of African-American decent in his time could be even slightly comparable to Ailey’s success. The style of ballet and modern dance were predominately domain to white choreographers and performers. Even today, to some extent, they still are. Ailey was one of the first to modify the norm by inspiring multiethnic dance opportunities.(11) Ailey’s goal as a choreographer was not only to place emphasis on black culture, but moreover to completely remove the idea of colour itself. …show more content…
In 2014, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, being recognized as America’s most honourable citizen for his contributions to civil rights as well as dance. (12) He changed the world of dance, not only through technique, but through spirit. His main focus was to engage his audience, and connect with them both emotionally and physically. (4) Ailey was able to merge popular dance technique with the stories and experiences of black people, all while encouraging other choreographers to collaborate with him. He invented new opportunities for multiethnic dances through founding his company and school, giving others the chance to create. Some of his best works, for instance “Revelations”, is showcased to this very day, and seems to be a contribution itself that has lasted through time. After the death of Alvin Ailey on December 1, 1989, The New York Times remarked “you didn’t need to have known Alvin personally to have been touched by his humanity, enthusiasm, and exuberance and his courageous stand for multi-racial brotherhood.” (new york
How To Write A Research Paper On Alvin Ailey
1180 Words | 5 PagesThe emergence of this theater provides valuable opportunities to dancers all over the world, especially those great African-American dancers. The dancers created by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater have performed for more than 20 million people all around the world, and through numbers of television broadcasts, countless others are able to enjoy those great pieces of dance. Just as what Ailey said in the 25th anniversary of his company, in 1983---"I wanted to explore black culture, and I wanted that culture to be a revelation.” Definitely, Alvin Ailey had achieved his ambition, and undoubtedly we are all the better for
How Did Alvin Ailey Contribute To Dance
1279 Words | 6 PagesAs an African-American from the south, Ailey strived to preserve his culture and enrich the modern dance community. In his lifetime, he created more than 80 dances for his company spanning from 1958 to his death. One of his first pieces debuted in his company's first year called Blues Suite, a piece that drew from his southern roots (Welchman.) According to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater website, Revelations came from Ailey's “blood memories” of his childhood in rural Texas and the Baptist Church, which is often cited as his masterpiece work in the dance world. Ailey is responsible for introducing many diverse dance techniques which altered Modern Dance.
An Essay On Alvin Ailey
526 Words | 3 PagesAlvin Ailey is a famous pioneer dancer that was a choreographer. He was born in texas in 1931 and died in New York City of AIDS in 1989. He was birth by a teenage mother and grew up without a father figure. At the age of 12 he moved to Los Angeles and his gift was proven in many ways. He was really good at athletics.
How Did Alvin Ailey Contribute To Dance
619 Words | 3 PagesHis choreography was like nothing the world has seen as it has popularized multicultural modern dance for the world. His most famous piece is called revelations and is being performed to this day by his school of young students and it has been performed for people globally. Since his theatre was founded his students has performed for more than 20 million people not counting tv viewers. Last, ailey’s achievements has earn him the number 4 spot on the list for best choreographers in
Revelations Alvin Ailey Analysis
1167 Words | 5 PagesRevelations by Alvin Ailey invites the audience on a journey of grief, reverence and celebration. Inspired by Ailey’s memories from his childhood, Alvin Ailey was born in 1931 to a large extended family, in a small town in Texas (Study Guide: Alvin Ailey, 2008). Upon his parent’s separation and financial difficulties he moved to LA with his mother, where he became introduced to dance and eventually became one of the most influential choreographers of the 20th century (Study Guide: Alvin Ailey, 2008). This article will focus on how Ailey’s life experiences are reflected in his choice of movement and non-movement components; highlighting his upbringing, choreographic relations, and his experience with the African American Baptist church.
Gene Kelly: Ballet Influenced His View Of Dance
1230 Words | 5 Pages“Where are you now, Gene Kelly?” asked poet Jeremy Bass, “The show’s still going, and we’ve forgotten how to dance” (Bass 76). A Pittsburgher in Hollywood, as he was known, Gene Kelly was an inimitable figure in the history of dance. Known for revolutionizing the world of movie musicals, Gene Kelly’s aura of commonality and ease within his art contributed to the assumption that he would be opposed to the structure of nineteenth century classical ballet. However, due to the nature of his artistic upbringing, his “Excalibur Ideology” and his staged opposition and appreciation of the nineteenth century dance conventions, one can deduce that Kelly, while having respect for classical ballet, believed in the progressing evolution of dance toward
African Americans In The 1920's
1236 Words | 5 PagesAfrican Americans face a struggle with racism which has been present in our country before the Civil War began in 1861. America still faces racism today however, around the 1920’s the daily life of an African American slowly began to improve. Thus, this time period was known by many, as the “Negro Fad” (O’Neill). The quality of life and freedom of African Americans that lived in the United States was constantly evolving and never completely considered ‘equal’. From being enslaved, to fighting for their freedom, African Americans were greatly changing the status quo and beginning to make their mark in the United States.
History Of Ballet Essay
993 Words | 4 PagesSurname: University: Topic: Understanding of ballet Date: Art and architecture Introduction “Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world.” The above quote by the eminent French Philosopher Voltaire speaks volume about the importance of dance.
Analysis Of Yvonne Rainer's No Manifesto
980 Words | 4 PagesIntroduction Yvonne Rainer is a well established and a well-recognized Post modern dance choreographer during the 1960s. The 1960s in America was a period where many began to question the ideological beliefs that dominate the political, social and artistic aspects in society. (Walsh) As a result, society in the 1960s started to challenge and rebel against societal norms. This societal change was reflected in dance as well when choreographers started to move away from the norms of modern dance choreographers, thus creating an era of unconventional postmodern choreographers, which is also known as the Judson era. Yvonne Rainer, along with notable choreographers such as Trisha Brown and Steve Paxton, founded the Judson Dance Theatre in 1962,
Summary Of Jane Desmond's Article 'Embodying Difference'
1098 Words | 5 PagesIn her article, Embodying Difference, Jane Desmond argues that dance offers important insights into the ways moving bodies articulate cultural meanings and social identities. In other words, she explains the importance of studying the body’s movement as a way of understanding culture and society. She has two main arguments. First, she argues for the importance of the continually changing relational constitutions of cultural forms. Desmond further explains that the key to shedding light on the unequal distribution of power and goods that shape social relations are the concepts of cultural resistance, appropriation, and cultural imperialism (49).
Analysis Of Alvin Ailey's Cry
2321 Words | 10 PagesIn 1971, Alvin Ailey choreographed Cry, a three part work solo dance set to gospel music that describes an emotional journey filled with struggle, hardships, defeat, survival and joy. It was intended as a birthday present to Alvin’s mother and a dedication to all black women everywhere. The first part of the dance is the struggle of trying to maintain pride irrespective of the opposition faced from outside. The second part reveals the sorrow within after the woman’s pride has been shattered into pieces and finally the third part is a spirited celebration of finding strength and joy in God. Even though cry was dedicated to only black women, i argue the notion that all women both black and white of the nineteenth century could relate
Joan Didion Why I Write Analysis
695 Words | 3 Pages“What is going on in these pictures in my mind?” (Didion 2). Joan Didion’s “Why I Write” provides an explanation to her perspective om writing and why she writes. Later on, she states that she writes as a way to discover the meaning behind what she is seeing. During this past semester as we wrote about dance, a heavy focus was on description and interpretation rather than contextualization and evaluation.
Duke Ellington's Music Analysis
869 Words | 4 PagesIn the 1920s and 1930s, a large movement of art and literature took place in the city of Harlem. Many African American authors express their thoughts and ideas through anyway possible. Whether it be music, art, or literature, its impact gave the African Americans a new place in society. One composer of music was very influential to all people. His name is Duke Ellington.
Comparing The Works Of Jacob Lawrence And Kara Walker
953 Words | 4 PagesAfrican Americans have played a significant role in the field of visual arts and also in other artworks. Jacob Lawrence (1917-2000) and Kara Walker (1969 -) serve among the most recognized African American visual artists for their contribution. The artists are connected with their ability in expressing a message that has a lasting interest that results from their American experience. The personal experience of African Americans tends to differ from that of other communities in the U.S thus promoting their works to possess some aspects associated with their history (Philips Collection Organization, 2001). Furthermore, individual experiences of the artists tend to reflect and influence the direction of their work.
The Hard Crack Analysis
1016 Words | 5 Pages“ Work Hard. Dream Big.” Mark Morris has been dancing since age of 8. Interestingly, he started to choreograph because of the existence of music. He’s able to give the entire first half hour of music for the party scene, the gift giving, the parents and children with the 70s vibe.
More about How Did Alvin Ailey Contribute To Dance
How To Write A Research Paper On Alvin Ailey
1180 Words | 5 PagesHow Did Alvin Ailey Contribute To Dance
1279 Words | 6 PagesAn Essay On Alvin Ailey
526 Words | 3 PagesHow Did Alvin Ailey Contribute To Dance
619 Words | 3 PagesRevelations Alvin Ailey Analysis
1167 Words | 5 PagesGene Kelly: Ballet Influenced His View Of Dance
1230 Words | 5 PagesAfrican Americans In The 1920's
1236 Words | 5 PagesHistory Of Ballet Essay
993 Words | 4 PagesAnalysis Of Yvonne Rainer's No Manifesto
980 Words | 4 PagesSummary Of Jane Desmond's Article 'Embodying Difference'
1098 Words | 5 PagesAnalysis Of Alvin Ailey's Cry
2321 Words | 10 PagesJoan Didion Why I Write Analysis
695 Words | 3 PagesDuke Ellington's Music Analysis
869 Words | 4 PagesComparing The Works Of Jacob Lawrence And Kara Walker
953 Words | 4 PagesThe Hard Crack Analysis
1016 Words | 5 Pages