The renowned dance critic Walter Terry wrote, "No paints nor brushes, marbles nor chisels, pianos or violins are needed to make this art, for we are the stuff that dance is made of. It is born in our body, exists in our body and dies in our body. Dance, then, is the most personal of all the arts . . . it springs from the very breath of life." *
In dance, the body is the mobile figure or shape, felt by the dancer, seen by others. The body is sometimes relatively still and sometimes changing as the dancer moves in place or travels through the dance area. Dancers may emphasize specific parts of their body in a dance phrase or use their whole body all at once.
When we look at a dancer's whole body we might consider the overall shape design; is it symmetrical? twisted? What part of the body initiates movement?
In dance, the body is the mobile figure or shape, felt by the dancer, seen by others. The body is sometimes relatively still and sometimes changing as the dancer moves in place or travels through the dance area. Dancers may emphasize specific parts of their body in a dance phrase or use their whole body all at once.
When we look at a dancer's whole body we might consider the overall shape design; is it symmetrical? twisted? What part of the body initiates movement?
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Dedicated to Guinea (excerpt)
Dancer: Kenna Cottman
Musicians: Voice of Culture featuring Fode 'Lavia' Camara
Videographer: Bill Cottman
... known as as ‘Ms. Kenna’ to students all over the state of Minnesota, from Duluth to Bemidji, Walnut Grove to Woodbury. Kenna has worked in the field of dance and art for over 20 years, and has been a full-time artist since 2005. She is a dance educator who teaches about the history of African peoples through art, culture, movement and song. Ms. Kenna teaches African dance at TU Dance and the University of MN, as well as managing her own company: Voice of Culture Drum and Dance. Kenna is a Black American Griot, following in the oral tradition of storytelling through art.
Find out more about her work at Kenna Cottman web site.
Dancer: Kenna Cottman
Musicians: Voice of Culture featuring Fode 'Lavia' Camara
Videographer: Bill Cottman
... known as as ‘Ms. Kenna’ to students all over the state of Minnesota, from Duluth to Bemidji, Walnut Grove to Woodbury. Kenna has worked in the field of dance and art for over 20 years, and has been a full-time artist since 2005. She is a dance educator who teaches about the history of African peoples through art, culture, movement and song. Ms. Kenna teaches African dance at TU Dance and the University of MN, as well as managing her own company: Voice of Culture Drum and Dance. Kenna is a Black American Griot, following in the oral tradition of storytelling through art.
Find out more about her work at Kenna Cottman web site.