Outline in Art Appreciation

Objectives:

 Define dance and discuss its history

 Identify the purpose and elements of dance
 Analyze and recognize the classification of dance

Dance

Definition:

Dance

 It involves choreography of body actions with the company of music.

 A non-verbal communication of art that uses primarily body movements with the use of music.
 A medium of expressions social interaction and presentation in a spiritual or performative setting.
 We already discuss the structure, styles and how to create music right, Music is always associated with
the performing arts like theatre and dance; Dance is always accompanied by music.
 Aside from the music and artworks like painting and different art styles, we are able to express
ourselves, Dance can be also a medium of expression or communication to connect with other people.
Dance can tell a story and it can possibly convey different feelings and emotion through right execution
of different action or body movements.
 A dance can use to connect with other people, later on, you will identify the uses and purpose of
dance and how important it is to us especially in our culture.

Dance Competition

Is an organized event which dance contestants execute dance performance before a judge for awards
and cash prize.

 It can help to increase self-confidence, competing is not always about winning, its an experience
that would help your self to improve on something that you know you are good at. What is
important is you are able to express your talent and yourself, also dance competition is an
opportunity to give impact to other people in a good way like giving them inspiration.

Brief History of Dance

 From the earliest time of human history, dance was already used for rituals, spiritual gatherings, festive
and other social events.
 Dance can be traced back to the 3rd millennium in Egypt, they use it as part of the Egyptian’s religious
ceremonies.
 The Ancient Egyptian dance use for entertainment and festivals. e.g Funeral dance, they mimic
the important events - stories of gods and afterlife.
 Transition of dance costumes, from sophisticated full body to seductive less body cover was already
practice.
 In 20th century dance involves the use of technology from digital music on stage performances.
PURPOSE OF DANCE

 Ceremony – In wedding anniversary and other ceremonies, dance serve as an offering to guests.
 Dance Expresses celebration, entertainment and giving thanks for their presence.
 Ritual – In tribal ritual, dance pleases the spirits of the underworld to provide bountiful harvests and
better health conditions.
 Dance performed by tribal people based on their customs and beliefs, It can varies according to
their categories like for fertility dance, initiation dance, worshipping dance and hunting dance.
 Prayer – Dance is also used as a form of prayer like the use of “interpretative dance” during masses and
other special occasions.
 This form of dance is a way of expressing thankfulness by worshipping and celebrating the Lord;
through dance we are able to express our faith.
 Superstition - People dance to ask nature for abundant rain, ask the gods and goddesses to grant healing
and to give an offering for farm harvests.
 When we say superstition, it is a belief in magic and luck. Although it is considered as
superstition, dance remains as a symbolic imprint of the people’s culture, it is a belief in magic
and luck. Dance is very important in our culture because it is where we reflect our life specially
the very important events from our history.
 Entertainment – Providing entertainment is one of the most important purposes of dance in history.
 It can use in any form like dramas, operas or fun events.
 Eroticism- Dance can also provide erotic expression in drama, theater and movie presentation.
 Those are the dancers performs in a seductive or provocative manner
 Social pleasure – Dance provides satisfaction for social pleasure to prevent stress, just like Zumba and
Ballroom Dancing.
 Dance create social pleasure if there is strong connection that will give you satisfaction.
 Art- It transmits culture, emotions, tells stories and can be a testimony of a historical moment or a place
of origin. It provides a physical representation and visual aid to evoke a feeling, promote talking points
and triggers thought and consideration along with enjoyment and beauty.
 Through the movements of the body, a dance is able to showcase emotions and entice the
viewing into sharing the emotional journey the dancer is telling.
ELEMENTS OF DANCE

The elements of dance can be easily remembered from the acronym B.A.S.T.E

Body - Body is a very essential element. Without it there is no possible movement.

 Your body language reveals your expression, it helps you to incorporate your internal ideas,
intentions, emotion in outward manner.

Action- Action refers to the movement of the execution of the dance using the projection, balance, sway, wiggle
and other movements depending on the chosen dance genre.

 The action may vary according to dance genre, these may refer on how the body part use;
footwork and hand movements, stillness, gesture and balancing.

Space - Space refers to dance hall or the stage where the dance is presented.

 In executing movements it’s very important to have enough space. There are circumstances that
They may stay in one place or they may travel from one place to another. Its important especially
you are performing as a group.

Time – The time element for dance refers to speed of the execution depending on how slow and how fast the
dance genre is to be executed.

 Time refers to the movement of dancers through time, and specifically within relationship to the
music, tempo, meter, or rhythm. The counting.

Energy – Dance performance is dependent on the energy of the dancers.

 This is about how the movement happens, such as dynamic quality: how are you are able to
execute the steps and movements, force, attack, weight, and flow of movement.
We can identify how strong and sharp the dancer move.