Legacy of Charles Weidman
Charles Weidman is known as one of the most successful pioneers in American Modern Dance. Weidman's work was completely different from anything that had ever been witnessed in America before. Weidman concentrated on the effect of gravity. He explored the idea of how gravity makes one fall, whilst balancing your body against gravity to create movement. This led to Weidman emphasizing the movements that occurred before and after falling. This idea then formed the concept of suspension. He observed the fine details of the impulse flows from joint to joint. Weidman, in addition, is also known for his floor work, including jumping and then falling to the floor. Weidman's work was very unique and unusual compared to the popular dances of the time. He focussed on breaking away from the nature of ballet (being defying gravity) and created a style that gave into the natural and forceful pull of gravity. Due to Weidman's curiosity, he introduced a new way of moving into the dance world, with his dramatic abilities. Weidman was known for his expressive and emotional choreography.
Charles Weidman was also for known for his style referred to as 'Kinetic Movement'. Weidman wanted to create a new and original style of dance that would be different from the other dance forms current to that time. So he rebelled and created a uniquely American style of movement. He had to develop this style and add to it over years and years of constant dance. When he had polished and created the foundations for his style, it then became known as "Kinetic Pantomime". "Kinetic Pantomime" was referred to as Weidman's sharp and snappy movements used frequently to imitate and characterise individuals. It is a technique of juggling, reversing and distorting cause and effect and the reaction of impulses between joints. Most of Weidman's art works were centred around characters from his family with a couple of pieces being named; 'On My Mothers Side' (1940) and 'And Daddy Was A Fireman' (1943). In these pieces, Weidman looked at the fine details of his family, closely observing their stories and dominant movement traits which he then broke down and moulded to fit into 'Kinetic Pantomime'. Weidman was also known for using comedy and mime in most of his famous pieces. The character and humour included in his pieces was very relatable to the general public, making his work considerably more successful.
Charles Weidman was very successful in the dance industry and is commended for all the achievements that helped the evolution of dance. His first achievement was when he was hired as a professional dancer in the Denishawn Company. Charles then moved on in 1928 to open up a company with former friend Doris Humphrey, the Humphrey-Weidman Company. In 1940 Weidman opened up a company of his own, the Charles Weidman Theatre Dance Company, which was then dismissed in 1951. In 1960, Weidman moved on to co-found a company with sculptor Mikhail Santaro called Two Arts Theatre based in New York. Although Weidman seemed to be very busy during his career running many companies, he was still able to effectively develop and create his own style. He created numerous pieces and was talented enough to be able to tour and perform all around the word. Many people witnessed his style and then tried to re-interpret it themselves. This meant that his style was known world-wide and was becoming popular amongst most dancers. Because his style was so well-known even after his death it continued to be re-created until what we know today as modern dance.
Charles Weidman was also for known for his style referred to as 'Kinetic Movement'. Weidman wanted to create a new and original style of dance that would be different from the other dance forms current to that time. So he rebelled and created a uniquely American style of movement. He had to develop this style and add to it over years and years of constant dance. When he had polished and created the foundations for his style, it then became known as "Kinetic Pantomime". "Kinetic Pantomime" was referred to as Weidman's sharp and snappy movements used frequently to imitate and characterise individuals. It is a technique of juggling, reversing and distorting cause and effect and the reaction of impulses between joints. Most of Weidman's art works were centred around characters from his family with a couple of pieces being named; 'On My Mothers Side' (1940) and 'And Daddy Was A Fireman' (1943). In these pieces, Weidman looked at the fine details of his family, closely observing their stories and dominant movement traits which he then broke down and moulded to fit into 'Kinetic Pantomime'. Weidman was also known for using comedy and mime in most of his famous pieces. The character and humour included in his pieces was very relatable to the general public, making his work considerably more successful.
Charles Weidman was very successful in the dance industry and is commended for all the achievements that helped the evolution of dance. His first achievement was when he was hired as a professional dancer in the Denishawn Company. Charles then moved on in 1928 to open up a company with former friend Doris Humphrey, the Humphrey-Weidman Company. In 1940 Weidman opened up a company of his own, the Charles Weidman Theatre Dance Company, which was then dismissed in 1951. In 1960, Weidman moved on to co-found a company with sculptor Mikhail Santaro called Two Arts Theatre based in New York. Although Weidman seemed to be very busy during his career running many companies, he was still able to effectively develop and create his own style. He created numerous pieces and was talented enough to be able to tour and perform all around the word. Many people witnessed his style and then tried to re-interpret it themselves. This meant that his style was known world-wide and was becoming popular amongst most dancers. Because his style was so well-known even after his death it continued to be re-created until what we know today as modern dance.