Steve Paxton, a pioneer in dance improvisation and modern choreography, created contact improvisation in 1972, exploring physical connection and spontaneous movement.
Steve Paxton, a dance improvisation researcher and modern choreographer, developed contact improvisation as a dance form in 1972.
The first instance of this modern art form, where works consist of actions by an artist or group at a specific time and place, was performed by students at Oberlin College, after which Paxton replicated it in New York.
The first contact improvisation involved twelve dancers interacting for ten minutes through various collisions, falls, and throws.
After this experiment, Paxton recruited fifteen outstanding athletes of both sexes and trained them for two years to explore the possibilities and principles of physical contact.
The first two weeks were dedicated to intense rehearsals and demonstrating their progress at the John Weber Gallery. Steve incorporated existing dance forms into the training and observed partner interactions in certain sequences, such as throws and lifts. These sequences were considered extreme at the time, so Steve carefully guided the process.
Paxton's research led him to conclude that "correct" technique for certain elements actually hindered partner interaction, so he chose to use improvisation rather than choreographed movements in the dance.
He explained this to his students, and they began to rely on internal sensations rather than memorized movements. This interaction appeared very graceful and authentic.
Paxton's main goal was not to create a new dance genre, but to study human beings. He was interested in whether the human mind could merge with the body at a given moment. Much depended on both physical attributes and the dancers' imagination. Steve challenged performers to find a way to convey their emotional state through movement.
Once the researcher achieved his experimental goals, he and his students toured the West Coast, teaching what he had taught his first students. Remarkably, contact improvisation impressed many people despite the absence of special lighting and music.
These factors helped create a unique atmosphere for better understanding the dance's meaning. Viewers clearly understood "what" the performer was dancing about, as music did not distract from the process.
Contact improvisation quickly gained popularity and appealed to many audiences. They could also participate in the dance, adding even more authenticity to the improvisation.
No special equipment is needed to learn this dance. You can easily do without music, lighting, or special costumes. The key is to teach your body to move as your mind feels. In this dance, the body is used as an instrument to express your inner world.
Interaction with a partner is one of the few factors that can hinder a brilliant performance. You must completely forget about your insecurities; otherwise, your nervousness and shyness may transfer to your partner, causing both of you to suppress your emotions, and your movements will reveal that to the audience. Therefore, you must trust your partner and establish physical contact.
Contact improvisation is a very sensual and emotional dance that leaves no one indifferent. This form continues to exist today, enjoying immense popularity.
The GoDance team crafts articles about dance, technique and inspiring stories from dancers.
Subscribe to our newsletter and get new content delivered to your inbox
