elements of dance graphic .png body graphic.png

ELEMENTS - BODY

BODY ACTION

Traveling Stopping Turning Balancing Jumping Falling Twisting Swinging Shaking-wiggling

BODY PARTS

Head Arms Legs Feet Elbows

MOVEMENT of body parts

Gesturing Touching Leading Emphasized

The renowned dance critic Walter Terry wrote, "No paints nor brushes, marbles nor chisels, pianos or violins are needed to make this art, for we are the stuff that dance is made of. It is born in our body, exists in our body and dies in our body. Dance, then, is the most personal of all the arts . . . it springs from the very breath of life."

In dance, the body is the mobile figure or shape, felt by the dancer, seen by others. The body is sometimes relatively still and sometimes changing as the dancer moves in place or travels through the dance area. Dancers may emphasize specific parts of their body in a dance phrase or use their whole body all at once. What part of the body initiates movement?

Another way to describe the body in dance is to consider the body systems—muscles, bones, organs, breath, balance, reflexes. We could describe how the skeletal system or breath is used, for example. The body is the conduit between the inner realm of Intentions, ideas, emotions and identity and the outer realm of expression and communication. Whether watching dance or dancing ourselves, we shift back and forth between the inner/outer sense of body.

Body Action is any human movement included in the act of dancing— it can include dance steps, facial movements, partner lifts, gestures, and even everyday movements such as walking. Dance is made up of streams of movement and pauses, so action refers not only to steps and sequences but also to pauses and moments of relative stillness. Dancers may use movements that have been choreographed or traditional dances taught by others who know the dances. Depending on the dance style or the choreographer's decision, dancers may also revise or embellish movement they have learned from others. Movement can also be improvised, meaning that the dancers make it up "on the spot" as they spontaneously dance. A movement that travels through space is broadly called locomotor movement in contrast to axial movement, which occurs in one spot.

WATCH & CONSIDER

M1. BODY Jumpin Jive - Cab Calloway and the Nicholas Brothers.mp4

Jumpin Jive

Performed by the Nicholas Brothers

Music: Cab Calloway and Frank Froeba and Jack Palmer in 1939.

In Jumpin Jive performed by the Nicholas Brothers look for the dancer's physicality. Notice their use of their bodies, especially their lower bodies, scraping, slapping, jumping and turning seemingly effortlessly.

* Terry, Walter (1942). Invitation to Dance. New York: Barnes, 16

WATCH & CONSIDER

DRAGON HOUSE | ILLUSION OF CHOICE | DUBSTEP.mov

Illusion of Choice

Performed by Marquese Scott and Dragon House

Music by Gramatik

In the video see Marquese Scott and Dragon House perform to the Illusion of choice by Gramatik. No video editing is used in this dance, it is all the dancers. See how they control their bodies, expanding, folding, freezing and isolating one body part at a time or their whole body. AMAZING!

DANCE IT OUT

Dance is invention and action. In Dance it Out, you will read the movement tasks below and then dance them out in your body. As you move, discover solutions in your body. Seated or standing create something that is uniquely your own.

In this Dance it Out activity, move the dance element of BODY exploration. After completing the movement task decide the exploration that you like the best, then film it and upload it to your personal journal on canvas.

A. Move the concept of Body

Staying in one spot explore the different ways you can twist your torso.

B. Move the concept of Body

While standing, explore how you can slowly twist and change the shape of your spine. Expand and stretch your arms to the ceiling, getting bigger and then bend and fold your upper body rounding your back and contracting your body to become smaller.