DANCE TOPICS 

An outline by Richard Finkelstein c. 2004. This document may be reproduced for academic use provided that proper credit is given to the author. Comments are welcome to rfinkels@msn.com 

Postmodernism in dance, or in any other art form is a touchy matter. There are countless conflicting definitions of the word "Postmodern".  Indeed there has been a "Postmodern movement" in dance with specific practitioners, but that begs the question still of what exactly constitutes "Postmodern".  As a theatre designer by training and profession I opt, through this outline, for a more general approach.  While it is difficult to pin a specific definition on "Postmodern" I think it is not so difficult to identify CHARACTERISTICS of the postmodern that may be manifested in an artistic work, whether dance or otherwise.  The debate as to whether a piece IS "Postmoden" is less important to me. Have fun thus with this outline. Enjoy!  RF

Characteristics of the Postmodern in Dance

1. Characteristics deriving from the Architectural
    Movement:

• Reintroduction of the traditional
  
  • Anachronistic & Combination of periods, removed from their period context
  • Old forms used in an updated manner: "Nostalgic recycling"
  • Re-integration of embellishment
  • Familiar elements used in unexpected ways. Unexpected combinations of forms and styles and media.
  • Exaggeration and often mocking of the traditional
    
• Self-Referencing
• Mocking, Ironic, Parody
• Mixture of "high art" and "low art"
• Anti-structural (breaking the norms and rigid rules)
• Fractured, disjointed, Collage
• Subversive social commentary and meaning.
• Visual metaphor is important
• Elements of deconstruction 

2. Dance Specific:

• Vernacular Movement & Dress
• More emphasis on image, and less on plot
• Mixing of genres
• Multi-Media elements "Multiple simultaneous sensory elements"
• Silence as an element
• Introduction of dialogue and vocal performance from the dancers.
• Site Specific
• Blurring of gender roles
• Rejection of Narrative forms
• Non Linear
  • Episodic
  • Disjointed
  • Out of sequence
• Spontaneous & Improvisational
• Presentational, often "theatrical" self referencing. "A form of social criticism that parodies its own medium of expression"
• Rejection of virtuosity (note a paradox here)
• Supremacy of process
• Simplicity of design/technical elements.
• Often defies logic. Seemingly random elements.

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