Contemporary dance is a term usually referring to the 20th century concert dance that combines elements of modern dance and classical ballet. It does not refuse classical ballet's leg technique in favor of modern dance's stress on the torso, while it also employs contact-release, floor work, fall and recovery, and improvisation characteristic of modern dance. Unpredictable changes in rhythm, speed, and direction are often used, as well.
It can use elements from non-western dance cultures, for example, elements from African dance such as bent knees, or elements from the Japanese contemporary dance Butoh.
Read more about Contemporary Dance: History, Cunningham's Key Ideas, Choreographer's Role, Dance Technique
Famous quotes containing the words contemporary and/or dance:
“Eclecticism is the degree zero of contemporary general culture: one listens to reggae, watches a western, eats McDonald’s food for lunch and local cuisine for dinner, wears Paris perfume in Tokyo and “retro” clothes in Hong Kong; knowledge is a matter for TV games. It is easy to find a public for eclectic works.”
—Jean François Lyotard (b. 1924)
“Listen, sister. I don’t dance and I can’t take time out now to learn.”
—Frank W. Wead (1895?–1947)