Martha Graham

Photograph of Martha Graham's Heretic by Soichi Sunami

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Martha Graham, seated, c. 1940 (cropped)

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Martha Graham and Bertram Ross

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President Gerald R. Ford Presents Martha Graham with the Presidential Medal of Freedom - NARA - 6829647

Martha Graham (May 11, 1894 – April 1, 1991) was an American modern dance choreographer and dancer. Recognized as one of the foremost pioneers of modern dance, Graham's influence on the art form is unparalleled. She revolutionized dance through her innovative use of expressionism, introducing techniques that emphasized the emotional and psychological depth of performance. Her work laid the foundation for generations of dancers and choreographers, making her a central figure in the history of modern dance.

Early Life

Martha Graham was born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, now part of Pittsburgh. She was influenced early on by her father, George Graham, a doctor who used physical movement as a treatment for nervous disorders. This connection between movement and expression was a concept that would deeply influence her choreographic philosophy.

Career

Graham moved to Los Angeles in 1916, where she attended the Denishawn School of Dancing and Related Arts, founded by Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn. However, she soon found the Denishawn approach to dance limiting and left to pursue her own vision. In 1926, she established the Martha Graham Dance Company in New York City, which became the oldest dance company in America, continuously performing more than any other.

Her technique, the Graham technique, centered on the use of contraction and release—a concept inspired by the act of breathing. This approach to dance sought to express the inner emotional life of the dancer, with a focus on human struggles and passions. Graham's choreography often dealt with powerful themes such as love, loss, and the quest for individuality.

Notable Works

Among her most celebrated works are Appalachian Spring, Chronicle, and Lamentation. Appalachian Spring (1944), with music by Aaron Copland, is particularly noted for its depiction of the American experience, blending themes of hope, fear, and love within the frontier landscape.

Legacy

Martha Graham's impact on dance is immeasurable. She not only developed a new dance technique but also created a repertoire of over 180 works that explored complex emotions and ideas. Her influence extends beyond dance to the broader realms of art and culture, where she is recognized as a revolutionary artist who changed the way we understand and appreciate the human form in motion.

Graham received numerous awards throughout her career, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1976. Her legacy is preserved by the Martha Graham Dance Company and through the work of countless dancers and choreographers who have been inspired by her teachings.

Death

Martha Graham continued to create and perform into her late years, passing away in 1991 at the age of 96. Her death marked the end of an era in modern dance, but her influence continues to resonate in the dance world and beyond.