Key Features of Contemporary Dance

 Key Features of Contemporary Dance

Positions of the feet 

Unlike ballet, contemporary uses feet positions in parallel- instead of turned out. Feet are bare and sometimes flexed rather than pointed in pointe shoes or ballet slippers. The feet are aligned with the knees and hips which allows the dancer to move in whatever way they wish.

Use of breath to initiate movement 

In contemporary, the use of breath to initiate a movement adds dynamics and textures to movements.  Inhalation emphasises growing movements and exhalation emphasises shrinking movements. Using breath in contemporary dance adds fluidity to your movements and also helps to accent a sharp movement or elongate an extension.

Use of centre/core contractions

Contemporary dance uses contractions from the centre or core to contract. This adds shape into the dance whilst the pelvis tilts downwards and the chest hollow inwards. The repeated use of contractions and releases gives rhythm to the movements in this technique.

Range of ways the spine is used 

The spine is particularly important because it gives support to the whole body. Strength in the spine allows you to have full control over your movements and creates stability for yourself. Rolling down the spine helps to articulate each and every vertebrae and also shows how the top part of your body can give into gravity as you hang lower and lower. Three basic movements the spine can perform is, flexion, extension and rotation- you can see this in many contemporary dance routines. 

Relationship to gravity

Once again, contemporary is the complete opposite to ballet. Contemporary dance allows the dancer to give into gravity whereas ballet  shows how the dancer can defy gravity. You can see this in tilts or falls in contemporary dance. 

Floorwork  

Floorwork is extensively used in modern dance, especially seen in the Graham technique. Floorwork changes the body's relationship with gravity. Floorwork is one of three principal spatial areas dancers occupy- as well as pedestrian (upright) and arial (jumping). However, floorwork is one of the main techniques used in contemporary dance. 

In contemporary dance, the movements allow the body to flow. You can use your body in any way you want. Improvisation is another technique in contemporary dance that allows the dancer to feel the movement and allow the body to do what it wants to do. Many movements in contemporary dance are distorted and you are encouraged to make sure that it’s “not pretty”. In contemporary dance, things are allowed to be messy-there are no limits or restrictions which creates originality in each and every piece.