Currently, the number of people engaged in creative activities is rapidly increasing. And one of the most popular forms of contemporary art is choreography.
Choreography is the art of composing and staging a dance. The term appeared around 1700 as a result of the combination of two ancient Greek words meaning "round dance" and "write down." The original meaning of the concept is “the art of recording a dance by a choreographer,” that is, it served to denote the systems of dance shorthand that appeared at that time. Later, it began to be applied both to the staging of dances, and to the dance art in general. Currently, according to the existing standard, choreography means a combination of ballet and dance. But this term also refers to the setting of numbers in other forms of art similar to dancing, for example, figure skating and even figure driving.
During its existence and development, choreography as an art has created its own artistic and expressive language, a whole system of techniques for conveying an image. The basis of this image is movement, which, in turn, is inherently associated with rhythm and music. Together they allow the dancer to tell a vivid, expressive, emotional story.
Important components of choreography
You can start practicing choreography at any age, but you need to keep in mind that it, like any art, makes a number of requirements for its follower.
A real dance cannot do without the following components:
- Good physical form. A professional dancer should have trained muscles, stretching, stamina and developed coordination.
- The grace of movement. All elements must be worked out to automatism so that the movements are clear and easy.
- Expressiveness of movements and facial expressions. Dance is a kind of musical pantomime. Since during the dance the artist must tell a story without using words, it is very important to maximize the use of all parts of the body, including the face, putting the necessary message into each movement.
- Sensuality. This aspect is closely related to the previous one. For the story to hook the viewer, he must see that the dancer is “burning” with what he is doing, that there is a “spark” in him.
- Emotional charge. It is very difficult to perform a good dance without the proper emotional attitude. To convey the energy of the dance to the viewer, the artist needs to feel it himself.
The main characteristics of the dance
- Rhythm is the pattern and speed of repetition and alternation of basic movements.
- Dynamics - the degree of scope, tension, emotionality when performing elements.
- Drawing is a combination of movements, the picture they create.
- Technique - the degree of body control, the ability to reproduce certain elements.
Types of choreography
Today choreography is usually divided into 3 large groups:
- People's.
- Classic.
- Modern.
Folk and classical were formed earlier, went a longer path of development, therefore they have a more expressive set of movements and are the main ones. Contemporary choreography includes many directions that emerged after classical ballet.
Folk choreography
The art of dancing is present in one way or another in the culture of every nation. Accordingly, folk dances reflect the worldview, cultural characteristics, rituals and traditions of a particular ethnic group. As a rule, they are colorful and expressive. The folk art of dancing is not static: passing from generation to generation and retaining the basis, it still changes, acquiring new elements and enriching itself with new meanings.
As a rule, the origins of any folk dance are to be found in the countryside. A rural way of life with a leisurely flow, rhythm of work and life, established foundations forms a certain stability of artistic taste, psychology, and value systems. Further, this set of characteristics is supplemented by the experience of subsequent generations, thereby folk art acquires new features, images and ideals. As a result, we see a reflection of the totality of all the best that is inherent in the culture of a particular people.
The main features of folk dance:
- Content. Folk dance is a reflection of the culture and mentality of an ethnic group.
- Realism. Each nation always has specific ideas and exciting questions, which are reflected in meaningful, clear and understandable images.
- Expressiveness. Folk dances are characterized by brightness, originality, emotionality, and the presence of a soul.
Classical choreography
Of course, all peoples live and develop in different conditions, have different ideals and specific features. Therefore, ethnic dances are very diverse. Classical choreography, on the other hand, has become an accumulation of the most beautiful, graceful and harmonious movements inherent in dance cultures of different nations.
The forerunners of modern choreographers can be considered dance masters who served at the royal courts. They were the ones who developed uniform standards - a kind of "dance etiquette" that we still adhere to.
The main features of classical dance:
- Technique. Classical dances are formed according to certain canons, based on a set of movements and positions characteristic of a particular type.
- Definition. All elements must be performed correctly and cleanly, without unnecessary movements and other "blots".
- Elegance. Since, as mentioned above, classical choreography has absorbed all the most beautiful of dances from different cultures, and at the same time it makes high demands on the quality of performance, the result is a very refined and picturesque work.
For all its sophistication and grace, classical dances are very intense and painstaking work aimed at developing endurance, flexibility and artistry.
Contemporary choreography
Modern choreography, unlike its ancestors, does not recognize any rules. There are no obligatory movements and positions, the main message is the individuality of the dancer.
This trend was formed in the West at the beginning of the 20th century, and now it includes many different trends.
The main features of modern dance:
- Plastic. Many modern dances are based on sports elements, stretching.
- Saturation. As a rule, modern choreography includes many different movements, the dancer is almost permanently in active movement.
- Individuality. Since there are no rules and canons here, everyone can express themselves in the dance as much as possible, their thoughts, feelings, ideas, fears - the entire spectrum of experiences.
- Emotionality. This aspect follows from the previous one. There are no rules regarding dance technique, but the manifestation of emotions is of decisive importance here. Dancers performing in the genre of modern choreography often have to be good actors in order to tell a certain story with their dance as vividly and expressively.
Dancing is an integral part of our life. For some, this is a leisure and a way to relax, unwind, have fun or relieve stress, keep yourself in shape. For someone - professional activity, favorite work and constant movement forward, growth and self-improvement. And choreography, as a process of developing a concept and directly staging a dance, occupies an important place in the lives of people associated with this type of creative expression.