A measured pace : towards a philosophical understanding of the arts of dance

Although the theoretical importance of dance has always been recognized, dance has been relatively neglected in the philosophy of art. In this sequel to Off the Ground, in which Professor Sparshott focused on the concept of dance in general, A Measured Pace considers the recognized classification of dance as art, its values, and relationship to the other arts. Sparshott begins with an explanation of the philosophical importance of the major classifications of dance and their basis. He examines dance as a mimetic and expressive medium, and reviews the major dimensions of dance form. He then explores the relationship of dance to three related fields: music, language, and theatre. Sparshott also discusses the major philosophical problems of dance as an art: the specific values of dance; the relation between the way the audience perceives dance and the dancer's self-perception; the ways in which dancing and dances are learned; the division of artistic creation between choreographers and performers; and the ways in which dances are identified and retain their identity through time. A concluding chapter on how dances are recorded considers how the media may change the nature of dance. A Measured Pace is a wide-ranging and substantial contribution to a philosophical understanding of dance. "Though the theoretical importance of dance has always been recognized, dance has been relatively neglected in the philosophy of art. In this sequel to Off the Ground, in which Professor Sparshott focused on the concept of dance in general, he considers the recognized classification of dance as art, its values, and its relationship to the other arts." "Sparshott begins with an explanation of the philosophical importance of the major classifications of dance and their basis. He examines dance as a mimetic and expressive medium, and reviews the major dimensions of dance form. He then explores the relationship of dance to three related fields: music, language, and theatre. Sparshott also discusses the major philosophical problems of dance as an art: the specific values of dance; the relation between the way the audience perceives dance and the dancer's self-perception; the ways in which dancing and dances are learned; the division of artistic creation between choreographers and performers; and the ways in which dances are identified and retain their identity through time. A concluding chapter on how dances are recorded considers how the media may change the nature of dance. A Measured Pace is a wide-ranging and substantial contribution to a philosophical understanding of dance."--Résumé de l'éditeur Although the theoretical importance of dance has always been recognized, dance has been relatively neglected in the philosophy of art. In this sequel to Off the Ground, in which Professor Sparshott focused on the concept of dance in general, A Measured Pace considers the recognized classification of dance as art, its values, and relationship to the other arts. Sparshott begins with an explanation of the philosophical importance of the major classifications of dance and their basis. He examines dance as a mimetic and expressive medium, and reviews the major dimensions of dance form. He then explores the relationship of dance to three related fields: music, language, and theatre. Sparshott also discusses the major philosophical problems of dance as an art: the specific values of dance; the relation between the way the audience perceives dance and the dancer's self-perception; the ways in which dancing and dances are learned; the division of artistic creation between choreographers and performers; and the ways in which dances are identified and retain their identity through time. A concluding chapter on how dances are recorded considers how the media may change the nature of dance. A Measured Pace is a wide-ranging and substantial contribution to a philosophical understanding of dance Contents 7 Preface 15 1. Introduction 19 PART ONE: Kinds of Dance 31 2. The Problem of Classification 31 3. Classification by Context 43 4. Mimesis 79 5. Expression 102 6. Formal Principles of Movement 120 7. Anatomy 144 8. Units and Systems 152 9. Rhythm 172 10. One and Many 201 11. Modes of Dance Organization 220 PART TWO: Dance and Related Fields 233 12. Dance and Music 233 13. Dance and Language 260 14. Dance and Theatre 282 PART THREE: Aspects of Dance 319 15. Dance Values 319 16. Dancer and Spectator 360 17. Learning to Dance 368 18. Dance and Choreography 391 19. The Identity of a Dance 415 20. Recording Dance 438 21. Conclusion 471 22. Afterword: The Three Graces 477 Notes 481 References 563 Index 579