Writing Dancing in the Age of Postmodernism

Writing Dancing in the Age of Postmodernism collects Sally Banes' writings on dance criticism and theory from 1976-1992. The book presents essays focused on modern dance, postmodern choreography, and the cultural shifts that shaped dance during this period. Banes documents major dance creators and companies including Trisha Brown, Twyla Tharp, and the Judson Dance Theater through reviews and critical analysis. Her writing captures performances, creative processes, and the broader New York arts scene, providing context for pivotal developments in contemporary dance. The essays explore changing approaches to choreography, the role of the audience, and debates around representation in dance. Key topics include the transition from modernism to postmodernism, feminist perspectives in dance, and the relationship between movement and meaning. This collection traces the evolution of dance criticism while examining fundamental questions about how dance communicates and creates cultural value. The writing illuminates connections between artistic innovation, social change, and critical discourse in late 20th century dance.

Readers note that this collection of dance criticism and essays provides unique perspectives on postmodern dance from the 1960s-1980s, with in-depth analysis of choreographers like Yvonne Rainer and Trisha Brown. Readers appreciate: - Detailed performance descriptions that help visualize the dances - Historical context for the downtown NYC dance scene - Clear explanations of complex dance theory concepts Common criticisms: - Dense academic language can be challenging - Some essays feel repetitive - Limited coverage of dancers outside NYC Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (18 ratings) Amazon: Not enough reviews for rating Reader comments: "Banes brings academic rigor while remaining accessible" - Goodreads reviewer "Heavy on theory but worth it for serious dance students" - Goodreads reviewer "Would benefit from more visuals/photos" - Dance Magazine reader review The book appears in many university dance program syllabi but has limited reviews from general readers.

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Dance and Politics by Randy Martin The text dissects how dance functions as a form of political expression and social commentary across different time periods and cultures.

Choreographing History by Susan Leigh Foster The work connects dance theory with historical methodology to understand how bodies communicate through movement in different historical contexts.

Dance, Space and Subjectivity by Valerie Briginshaw The book analyzes spatial relationships in dance and their connection to identity formation through postmodern theoretical frameworks.

The Body, Dance and Cultural Theory by Helen Thomas This study bridges cultural theory with dance analysis to explore how movement practices reflect and shape social structures.

🔹 Sally Banes coined the term "analytic postmodern dance" to describe a movement in 1960s and '70s choreography that stripped dance down to its essential elements, similar to minimalism in visual art. 🔹 The book spans 20 years of dance criticism and essays (1977-1996), documenting the transition from modernism to postmodernism in American dance through firsthand observations. 🔹 Banes was one of the first critics to seriously analyze breakdancing and hip-hop dance forms alongside traditional concert dance, legitimizing street dance as a scholarly subject. 🔹 While writing this book, Banes was simultaneously a practicing dancer and choreographer, giving her unique insider perspective on the techniques and theories she analyzed. 🔹 The book challenges the common notion that postmodern dance was primarily about rejection and deconstruction, arguing instead that it was often playful, democratic, and life-affirming in nature.