If you’ve ever attended a concert or dance performance, you may have noticed that there are different types of dance styles. Modern and contemporary dance are two of the most popular styles, but what is the difference between them? In this blog post, we’ll explore the distinction between these two styles and discuss some of their key features. We hope this information will help you better understand and appreciate modern and contemporary dance performances!
What is Modern Dance?
Modern Dance is a genre of dance that emerged in the late 19th century as a rebellion against the rigid rules of ballet. Modern dancers sought to express themselves through their movements, using their bodies as a form of self-expression. They believed that dance should be a natural extension of the self, and so they rejected the strict technique and rules of ballet. Modern Dance has since evolved into a highly technical and diverse form of dance, with its own unique set of movements and styles. Today, Modern Dance is performed all over the world and is enjoyed by dancers of all ages.
What is Contemporary Dance?
Contemporary dance is a style of expressive dance that combines elements of several other dance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet. Contemporary dancers strive to connect the mind and the body through fluid movement. Contemporary dance is often improvisational and explores the use of gravity, floor work, fall and recovery, momentum, isolation, and release in order to connect the dancer’s body with their emotional state. The goal of contemporary dancers is to use their training to connect with the audience on an emotional level and create a meaningful experience.
Difference between Modern and Contemporary Dance
Modern dance and contemporary dance are often used interchangeably, but there are some important distinctions between the two styles. Modern dance is a relatively broad category that encompasses a range of styles developed in the early 20th century.
- These include Martha Graham’s expressive and emotive approach, Merce Cunningham’s focus on form and abstraction, and Isadora Duncan’s fluid and graceful movements.
- Contemporary dance, on the other hand, refers to a more specific style that emerged in the mid-20th century. This style is characterized by its use of both strict technique and improvisation, as well as its incorporation of elements from other styles such as ballet, jazz, and hip hop.
- While modern dance is still performed today, contemporary dance is the more prevalent style in the world of professional dance.
Conclusion
If you are still not sure what the difference between modern and contemporary dance is, or if you would like to see some examples of each form of dance, please check out our other blog post on the subject. In it, we provide a more in-depth look at both forms of dance and include videos so that you can see the differences for yourself. We hope this article has been helpful in clearing up any confusion about these two terms and that you will be inspired to go out and experience both modern and contemporary dance firsthand!
