La Nouvelle Vague and Postmodern Dance
Session Title
Humanities and Fine Arts
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
World Languages & Cultures
Faculty Mentor
Anna Igou, Ph.D.
Abstract
The mid-twentieth century was a time of rebellion, creativity, and experimentation in the fine arts in contrast to past traditions. In cinema, this transition toward a more progressive form of filmmaking became prevalent with the rise of the French “Nouvelle Vague,” or New Wave. For dance—an entirely different genre of art—this same transition was implemented with the development of postmodern dance. In both art forms, the performers and creators sought to rebel against previously set standards for what could and could not be accepted as art within its given field—standards reflecting the media’s (and audience’s) perceptions of beauty, classism, aBetheand codified technique. For this project, I will create a film featuring these two art forms at work synergistically: dancers performing in a way that reflects the spirit of the postmodern era of dance and inspired by the work and philosophy of the late dancer and choreographer Merce Cunningham, with improvisational movement, non-traditional dancers or non-dancers, and dance performed in unconventional spaces, in conjunction with a “New Wave” recording style, inspired by the French New Wave filmmaker and artist Agnès Varda, including spontaneous dialogue, unusual angles, and camera shots inspired by famous artwork. By exposing the viewers to two exceptionally non-traditional styles of art within their given fields, I hope to allow the audience to make connections between unconventional portrayals of popular art forms, and ultimately have a greater appreciation for abstract art as seen in both dance and film.
Course Assignment
FREN 360 – Igou and Burmeister
Start Date
12-4-2019 2:00 PM
La Nouvelle Vague and Postmodern Dance
DIGS 114
The mid-twentieth century was a time of rebellion, creativity, and experimentation in the fine arts in contrast to past traditions. In cinema, this transition toward a more progressive form of filmmaking became prevalent with the rise of the French “Nouvelle Vague,” or New Wave. For dance—an entirely different genre of art—this same transition was implemented with the development of postmodern dance. In both art forms, the performers and creators sought to rebel against previously set standards for what could and could not be accepted as art within its given field—standards reflecting the media’s (and audience’s) perceptions of beauty, classism, aBetheand codified technique. For this project, I will create a film featuring these two art forms at work synergistically: dancers performing in a way that reflects the spirit of the postmodern era of dance and inspired by the work and philosophy of the late dancer and choreographer Merce Cunningham, with improvisational movement, non-traditional dancers or non-dancers, and dance performed in unconventional spaces, in conjunction with a “New Wave” recording style, inspired by the French New Wave filmmaker and artist Agnès Varda, including spontaneous dialogue, unusual angles, and camera shots inspired by famous artwork. By exposing the viewers to two exceptionally non-traditional styles of art within their given fields, I hope to allow the audience to make connections between unconventional portrayals of popular art forms, and ultimately have a greater appreciation for abstract art as seen in both dance and film.
