The music screeched and echoed throughout the room as dancers in skin-colored leotards danced in seemingly random movements across the stage, completely out of sync with the harsh music. A large audience filled the room, hoping to witness the cacophony created by the independent usage of two genres of art: music and dance.
While watching the Merce Cunningham performance, I saw how this seemingly obscure piece reflects our present society, one that politically and emotionally evolves each day. With a deep compelling need to create and express themselves, artists like Merce Cunningham create art that utilizes knowledge gained from the past applied to new surroundings, cultures, and people.
Humans have produced artistic works since the beginning of time as a means for communication. To this day artists are still trying to find a communion between themselves and others. While watching this performance, I felt as if I had been transported into this mans complex way of communicating his interpretation of the human condition and the pain and suffering that can go along with it. Through organic yet pre-determined movements, the dancers reflected a natural image of our ever-evolving society. Lacking a storyline or psychological theme, the dance seemed focused on the dancers themselves communicating with each other as well as the audience to give clarity to a confusing world.
The only way for some people to express their emotions and need to relate to others is through art, a timeless aspect of humanity. Modern artists like Merce Cunningham utilize the advances made in society and the knowledge learned from the past to relate to modern society and our inner and outer conflicts. Art in all forms can serve as metaphors for who we are as human beings, where we are going and how we change over time.
How have you utilized art to express yourself and your society? Or have you recently been to a museum, seen a dance performance or play that inspired you to think about our society? I would love to hear your thoughts and comments on art as a means for expression. Thanks for reading!
