Nature and Elements of Dance

Nature and Elements of Dance
Dance
The movement of the body in a rhythmic way,

usually to music and with a given space, for
the purpose of expressing an idea or emotion,
releasing energy, or simply taking delight in
the movement itself.
Dance is a powerful impulse, but the art of

dance is that impulse channeled by skillful
performers into something that becomes
intensely expressive and that may delight
spectators who feel no wish to dance
themselves.
Figure 1: Peasant Dance , oil on wood by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, c. 1568; in the
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna. Kunsthistoriches, Vienna, Austria/SuperStock
These two concepts of the art of dance—dance as a powerful impulse and dance as a skillfully choreographed art
practiced largely by a professional few—are the two most important connecting ideas running through any consideration
of the subject. In dance, the connection between the two concepts is stronger than in some other arts, and neither can exist
without the other.
Although the above broad definition covers all forms of the art, philosophers and critics throughout history have
suggested different definitions of dance that have amounted to little more than descriptions of the kind of dance with
which each writer was most familiar. Thus, Aristotle’s statement in the Poetics that dance is rhythmic movement whose
purpose is “to represent men’s characters as well as what they do and suffer” refers to the central role that dance
played in classical Greek theatre, where the chorus through its movements reenacted the themes of the drama during lyric
interludes.
The English ballet master John Weaver, writing in 1721, argued on the other hand that
“Dancing is an elegant, and regular movement, harmoniously composed of beautiful Attitudes,
and contrasted graceful Posture of the Body, and parts thereof.” Weaver’s description reflects
very clearly the kind of dignified and courtly movement that characterized the ballet of his
time, with its highly formalized aesthetics and lack of forceful emotion.
The 19th-century French dance historian Gaston Vuillier also emphasized the qualities of grace, harmony, and beauty,
distinguishing “true” dance from the crude and spontaneous movements of early man: “The choreographic art . . . was
probably unknown to the earlier ages of humanity. Savage man, wandering in forests, devouring the quivering flesh of his
spoils, can have known nothing of those rhythmic postures which reflect sweet and caressing sensations entirely alien to
his moods. The nearest approach to such must have been the leaps and bounds, the incoherent gestures, by which he
expressed the joys and furies of his brutal life.”
John Martin, the 20th-century dance critic, almost ignored the formal aspect of dance in
emphasizing its role as a physical expression of inner emotion. In doing so, he betrayed his own
sympathy toward the Expressionist school of modern American dance: “At the root of all these
varied manifestations of dancing . . . lies the common impulse to resort to movement to
externalise states which we cannot externalise by rational means. This is basic dance.”
A truly universal definition of dance must, therefore, return to the fundamental principle that dance is an art form or
activity that utilizes the body and the range of movement of which the body is capable. Unlike the movements performed
in everyday living, dance movements are not directly related to work, travel, or survival. Dance may, of course, be made
up of movements associated with these activities, as in the work dances common to many cultures, and it may even
accompany such activities. But even in the most practical dances, movements that make up the dance are not reducible to
those of straightforward labour; rather, they involve some extra qualities such as self-expression, aesthetic pleasure, and
entertainment.
This article discusses the techniques and components of dance as well as the aesthetic principles behind its appreciation as
an art. Various types of dance are discussed with emphasis on their style and choreography.
Elements of Dance
1. Body – dance is comprised of various body emotions that express feeling and emotion. Our bodies move in ways
to express ourselves using locomotor and non-locomotor movements.
2. Energy – is the force at which we express our body motions. Are you moving with hard motions or gentle
motions? How do you choose to move? Bounce, shake, explode or sway?
3. Space or Level – to show variation and movement, we need to use our surroundings well. We zig, zag, move
high and low. We use the entire space around us and below us.
4. Relationship – In dance, we often dance with one other person or with many people in a group. Just like with
conversation, we communicate and react using our bodies.
5. Time – Timing is key to any dance. We follow the rhythm or beat to match our actions with the sound of the
music. When working with others, we sometimes mimic another using time.
Characteristics of Dance
 UNITY- interconnected phrases of the dance are coherent and flow smoothly together. It attracts and holds
the audience’s attention.
 VARIETY and CONTRAST- add excitement and flavor in the dance. Changing the direction, use of
energy, timing of a movement phrase and avoiding repeating them in the exact way are ways to add variety
to the dance.
 TRANSITION- also vital because it keeps the unity and continuity of the dance. It may vary from length
and complexity. They may be long or short, gradual, or abrupt.
 REPETITION- usually when a certain phrase or a section of choreography is repeated, it is the main
message of the dance. Also, the audience can see those movements again and identify its significance.
 CLIMAX – the apex of energy in the dance is reached.

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Nature and Elements of Dance

The movement of the body in a rhythmic way,

Dance is a powerful impulse, but the art of

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