photographic impressions of modern dance
THE PERFEC TION OF MO fTIOJN_
Modern Danceisbased uponthe discoverythatFmovemet can be use as aYsubstace or.armedim forthe'cy
>,.,, rxpr feieof odenTheamoensdacehdiscoveredytatchesisgfregerothe yuomhrtad isciplne sigofcasi
f cal ballet, folk, or primitive dancing. This discovery can be made nmore clear by drawing an analo gy between modern
Lidance and abstract painting. However, there are important differences between these arts. An abstract pitn
< k..;is a means of expression in terms of space, limited to an area of a canvas, which endures through time. A dance
is a means of expression in terms of time and space, limited to a stage area, and enduring for the length of a per-
' fo man e. ust as he cti n p int r, r th ab tra t a tis , u es olo ashis medi m f r e pre sin hi felin , t e c or-eographer uses m ovem ent as a m edium for the expression of inner thoughts and perceptions of any stim ulus found in his
F >t v V fA . nirnment. With this medium of movement, the choreographer develops a language of motion like a language of
color, which is the choreographer's way of looking at the world.
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The purpose of a painting is to express an idea. When creating the picture, the painter uses the components of
< ( f;color, form, or technique, and spatial design. All these components are subordinate to the expression of the idea. When
x" xthe' choreographer creates a modern dance, he uses the components of movement, form, spatial design and music. Each
Df these components is subordinate to theiea which the modern dance express es.
x NOn Mach 13 and 14 at 8 p.m. a Modern Dance' Concert, choreographed and danced by students, will be re-
5 rented at the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre. The program, sponsored by the University of Michigan Concert Dance Or-
ganization and held in conjunction with the Creative Arts Festival, is diverse. One of the dances appearing on the
program is taken from a Peruvian folk dance. The dance, presented by Dr. Ester Pease's Choreographer's Workshop
f r f f the University of Michigan, is based on the drama of the folk ritual. Also appearing on the program is a dance to
Kato music, based on impressions of Oriental sculpture. Another dance in the program reminds the spectator of a
Medieval painting. The movements are flat, angular and analogous to the lack of depth perspective in a Medieval paint-
" ing. The idea of the dance is the simplicity of unquestioning faith, a theme which often appears in Medieval paint-
ings. The program for the 14th Annual Modern Dance Concert, which ranges from a satire on Fred Astaire and Ginger
Rogers to a dance using the music of Handel, has the potential of being an exciting experience. The students who have
choreographed for the performance are taking the opportunity to learn about choregraphy and the wide field of
Modern Dance.
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