The Martha Graham Dance Company is commemorating its 100th anniversary with an international tour. The company was founded by Martha Graham, who based her artistic vision on principles such as:
"Movement never lies" and "Look for the truth."
Martha Graham's Vision and Influence
Martha Graham was a choreographer, a school founder, and a principal dancer. She was described by Mikhail Baryshnikov as "an animal of discipline."
Graham's approach to dance differed from the prevailing styles of the early 20th century, which often featured "decorative, escapist" themes.
She aimed to create dance that explored "real human beings, real human challenges" and to tell American stories, which was a novel concept at the time.
An example of this is her work Appalachian Spring, created in the 1940s with music by Aaron Copland, which aimed to inspire hope at the conclusion of World War II.
Personal Background and Artistic Themes
Graham's upbringing in Pennsylvania coal country, which she characterized as "bleak," and her subsequent move to California at age 14, which she described as a "time of light and freedom," influenced her artistic output. This contrast between "dark against light" and "oppression against freedom" became recurring themes in her works.
Her father's teachings on seeking truth and the honesty of movement were foundational to her artistic perspective.
The Graham Dance Technique
Graham developed a dance technique that focused on authentic human experience. It involved bare feet rather than pointe shoes and used gestures considered more sinuous and earthy than classical ballet. Her "contraction and release" technique originated from observing how emotions affect the body's breath.
The contraction involves the exhale and coiling of the spine, while the release is the inhale and expansion of energy.
This technique is known for its physical demands.
Noteworthy Works and Enduring Legacy
In 1930, Graham premiered Lamentation, a solo piece about grief performed while seated, with the dancer encased in fabric. The work's abstract shapes and emotional rawness were considered unconventional, leading some to view her as a "heretic" for her emotional directness on stage. She later created Heretic, a work about a nonconformist woman.
Critics responded positively to Graham's style. She trained actors such as Bette Davis and Gregory Peck, and dancers like Mikhail Baryshnikov and Madonna. Graham represented the United States internationally, performed at the White House, and received a Kennedy Center Honor.
Janet Eilber, the company's current artistic director, observed Graham's ability to connect with individuals.
The Martha Graham Dance Company has continued for a century. Martha Graham passed away in 1991 at 96 years old.