Dani D. answered • 10/22/20
Graduate in History
Dance has been evolving as early as the very first civilization. Cave drawings and paintings in Egypt and India depict such people dancing - and it was primarily for ceremonial, ritual and healing purposes. Dance was also another way to tell myths and stories as well as to attract a partner in some cultures.
As the world evolved and grew, so did dancing. Ballet is an example of an ever evolving dance. Originating in Italian Renaissance and French courts and then moved to the Paris Opera where it became a more serious art form with professional male dancers instead of courtiers. As we move closer to the 20th century, the molds of ballet began to break with the growth in technology and enlightenment thinking as well - people wanted to break the mold and this is where Modern Dance comes in, which is all about personal freedom. While some criticized ballet as being imperialistic or just an overdramatic gymnastics routine, they still used ballet as a foundation for modern/contemporary dance.
Moving past ballet and modern dance, we see how music also changed dance. In America especially during the Revolutionary War and Civil War, we used music and singing as a way to build moral and dance would be incorporated. During the Civil War, slaves began to form their own form of music - the blues and jazz - and their music influenced a new way of dancing. This music is what influenced such dances as Ragtime, the Charleston, and even theatrical/Broadway dancing. I believe we all owe this new movement to technology and the inventions of new instruments. Without it, we wouldn't have new music to influence new dances.
In the late 20th century we see a large movement in street dancing with the invention of hip hop, R&B, and rap music, which led to the street culture revolution. The 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's each had different musical and dance movements. From Woodstock to Grunge to Country to Alternative/Punk, each new form of music influences a new type of dance.
While technology has certainly facilitated the evolution of dance, there are certainly reasons why it hindered it. I certainly believe that the late 20th century and 21st century technology has hurt dance. Dance has become much more provocative. In many instances with rap and hip hop, they sexualize many female dancers and portray them as objects. We seem stuck in ways that try to make dance more and more sexual instead of a way to express emotion or stories, and that is damaging.
Presently, during this pandemic, technology has helped many dancers still achieve what they want. Courses are using Zoom or Skype or any form of online communication to help dancers achieve and showcase their talents and goals. Technology also allows people to use computer programs to help choreograph dances and compose music.
