Dance is an expressive, movement art form...actually, some dance is not designed to be expressive it is created with the notion of dance for dance sake showing the human form. In fact, dance may not always be moving. Stillness could be perceived as dance. But then, on the other hand it could be argued that whilst alive we can never be truly still. We are always breathing and even if we hold are breath there is so much movement going on inside our bodies.
And, if we are saying that dance is movement then we are all dancing now. If this is the case, simple everyday acts such as walking, cooking and talking can all be perceived to be dance.
Dance as an art form - In the Oxford English Dictionary (2007), there are several slightly varying definitions of the word art.
'The expression or application of human creative skills and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpting, producing works to be appreciated primarily or their beauty and emotional power.'
'Works produced by human creative skill and imagination.'
Key things that seem to come up in most definitions are that art is creative, a skill, involves imagination and is human.
A Skill - is a particular ability. Anything you do is a skill to you (an ability you have)
Imagination - The ability of the mind to be creative or resourceful.
Creativity - The use of imagination or original ideas to create something.
Human - Characteristic of people as opposed to God, or animals or machines. (Personally I wouldn't include this as I don't believe that dance is exclusively human)
If we take on this notion how can we say that anything is not dance?
I think I believe that dance happens for three reasons:
The pleasure of the dancer
The pleasure of the spectator
To say something
Not all three have to be present an da spectator is not always required but it is possible to have dance that incorporates all three. Most importantly I think that dance must include a dancer. Tis dancer does not need to be human or even know that it is dancing. I believe birds in particular are beautiful dancers. However, in this case I feel there needs to be a spectator to view this movement as dance. I am, I feel going against what I said about dance or art not needing to be human her as I am suggesting that a human is needed to view it as an art form but I don't think we can truly know if other animals have the concept of art so that is a tricky subject which I feel would require a lot more research.
I guess what I am saying is that I believe anything can be dance as long as one singular being sees it as such.
And, if we are saying that dance is movement then we are all dancing now. If this is the case, simple everyday acts such as walking, cooking and talking can all be perceived to be dance.
Dance as an art form - In the Oxford English Dictionary (2007), there are several slightly varying definitions of the word art.
'The expression or application of human creative skills and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpting, producing works to be appreciated primarily or their beauty and emotional power.'
'Works produced by human creative skill and imagination.'
Key things that seem to come up in most definitions are that art is creative, a skill, involves imagination and is human.
A Skill - is a particular ability. Anything you do is a skill to you (an ability you have)
Imagination - The ability of the mind to be creative or resourceful.
Creativity - The use of imagination or original ideas to create something.
Human - Characteristic of people as opposed to God, or animals or machines. (Personally I wouldn't include this as I don't believe that dance is exclusively human)
If we take on this notion how can we say that anything is not dance?
I think I believe that dance happens for three reasons:
The pleasure of the dancer
The pleasure of the spectator
To say something
Not all three have to be present an da spectator is not always required but it is possible to have dance that incorporates all three. Most importantly I think that dance must include a dancer. Tis dancer does not need to be human or even know that it is dancing. I believe birds in particular are beautiful dancers. However, in this case I feel there needs to be a spectator to view this movement as dance. I am, I feel going against what I said about dance or art not needing to be human her as I am suggesting that a human is needed to view it as an art form but I don't think we can truly know if other animals have the concept of art so that is a tricky subject which I feel would require a lot more research.
I guess what I am saying is that I believe anything can be dance as long as one singular being sees it as such.