Comments and Responses

Jeeyoon’s Comment

I really enjoyed looking at the document of Fokine’s figures! I really like the idea of dance as language and being “textual” as well. This document was also an interesting insight into how choreographers keep track of their dances. For example, nowadays, I assume that some choreographers could record themselves with their phone, or perhaps some choreographers jot down general notes. However, Fokine’s idea to physically draw out his counts (perhaps this was partly because of the avant-garde nature of the moves) seems novel, and I wonder how most choreographers go through similar processes of documenting.

Response

In my personal experience as a modern dancer, the most effective means of communication between choreographers and dancers is through both video and written text. For instance, during the rehearsal process the choreographer will record the dance at the end of each rehearsal and then send it out to the dancers along with a series of notes to review for the next meeting. Additionally, if there was a certain step or phrase that was giving the dancers trouble, the choreographer may film themselves performing it, and send it along as well. This stands in contrast to my experience in ballet rehearsals, in which only written notes are typically needed, as all of the steps have a well-defined and proper way of being performed. 

Max’s Comment

This is fascinating. I would be interested to see you address the history of choreographically notation. I am not familiar with the practice of notating dance. I wonder how this illustration situates itself within the greater context of notating dance. Specifically, was classical dance notated as well: if not, why did modern dance require notation? if so, how did this system of notation evolve?

Response

Both classical and modern dance do need to be notated, but due to the different eras in which the dance forms were developed, they have extremely different evolutions. Ballet gained popularity as a style of court dance in the 15th century; perfectly aligning the rise of ballet with the rise of printing and placing text as primary to the transmission of ballet. However, modern dance originates in the late 19th century, and has thus been able to utilize photography and videography as a means of transmission for much of its history. I believe the widespread use of video to transmit modern dancing is one of the reasons that the language of modern dance remains relatively underdeveloped. However, due to the durability and easy transmission of a written text, I would argue that there is still an urgent need for a shared language of modern dance.