0

Dance Scholars: Dance Criticism and Aesthetics

Description: This quiz is designed to assess your understanding of the field of dance criticism and aesthetics, with a focus on the contributions of dance scholars. The questions cover various aspects of dance criticism, including its history, methodologies, and key concepts, as well as the role of dance scholars in shaping the field.
Number of Questions: 15
Created by:
Tags: dance criticism dance aesthetics dance scholars dance theory
Attempted 0/15 Correct 0 Score 0

Which of the following is NOT a common approach to dance criticism?

  1. Formalist Criticism

  2. Structuralist Criticism

  3. Historical Criticism

  4. Psychoanalytic Criticism


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Psychoanalytic criticism is not typically used in dance criticism, as it is more commonly applied to literature and other forms of art.

Who is considered to be one of the most influential dance critics of the 20th century?

  1. Clive Barnes

  2. Anna Kisselgoff

  3. Edwin Denby

  4. Deborah Jowitt


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Edwin Denby was a prominent dance critic for the New York Herald Tribune and is known for his insightful and poetic writing about dance.

What is the primary focus of formalist dance criticism?

  1. The dancer's technique

  2. The choreographer's intent

  3. The historical context of the dance

  4. The emotional impact of the dance


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Formalist dance criticism focuses on the technical aspects of the dance, such as the dancer's skill, the choreography, and the overall structure of the piece.

Which dance scholar is known for developing the concept of 'kinaesthetic empathy'?

  1. Rudolf Laban

  2. Susanne Langer

  3. Merce Cunningham

  4. John Martin


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Rudolf Laban is credited with developing the concept of kinaesthetic empathy, which refers to the ability of the audience to feel the dancer's movements as if they were their own.

What is the central idea behind structuralist dance criticism?

  1. Dance is a form of communication that conveys meaning.

  2. Dance is a reflection of the choreographer's personal experiences.

  3. Dance is a physical manifestation of cultural values and beliefs.

  4. Dance is a purely aesthetic experience that transcends meaning.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Structuralist dance criticism views dance as a form of communication that conveys meaning through its structure, symbols, and movement patterns.

Who is considered to be the father of American dance criticism?

  1. John Martin

  2. Edwin Denby

  3. Clive Barnes

  4. Anna Kisselgoff


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

John Martin is widely regarded as the father of American dance criticism due to his influential writings and contributions to the field.

What is the main objective of historical dance criticism?

  1. To evaluate the technical proficiency of the dancers.

  2. To analyze the choreographer's creative process.

  3. To place the dance in its historical and cultural context.

  4. To assess the emotional impact of the dance on the audience.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Historical dance criticism seeks to understand the dance in relation to its historical period, cultural influences, and social context.

Which dance scholar is known for her work on the concept of 'embodied knowledge'?

  1. Susan Leigh Foster

  2. Judith Butler

  3. Sally Banes

  4. Yvonne Rainer


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Susan Leigh Foster is a dance scholar who has extensively explored the concept of embodied knowledge, which refers to the ways in which knowledge is stored and expressed through the body.

What is the primary focus of aesthetic dance criticism?

  1. The dancer's physical appearance

  2. The emotional impact of the dance

  3. The technical proficiency of the dancers

  4. The overall beauty and artistry of the dance


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Aesthetic dance criticism evaluates the dance based on its overall beauty, artistry, and the emotional impact it creates on the audience.

Which dance scholar is known for his work on the concept of 'postmodern dance'?

  1. Sally Banes

  2. Susan Leigh Foster

  3. Judith Butler

  4. Yvonne Rainer


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Sally Banes is a dance scholar who has extensively written about postmodern dance, a movement that emerged in the mid-20th century and challenged traditional notions of dance.

What is the role of dance scholars in shaping the field of dance criticism?

  1. They provide historical context and analysis of dance works.

  2. They develop new methodologies for dance criticism.

  3. They engage in critical dialogue with dance artists and critics.

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Dance scholars play a multifaceted role in shaping the field of dance criticism by providing historical context, developing new methodologies, and engaging in critical dialogue with dance artists and critics.

Which dance scholar is known for her work on the concept of 'dance as text'?

  1. Susan Leigh Foster

  2. Judith Butler

  3. Sally Banes

  4. Yvonne Rainer


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Susan Leigh Foster is a dance scholar who has explored the concept of dance as text, arguing that dance can be analyzed and interpreted like a literary text.

What is the main objective of psychoanalytic dance criticism?

  1. To analyze the choreographer's unconscious motivations.

  2. To interpret the dance as a reflection of the dancer's personal experiences.

  3. To explore the emotional impact of the dance on the audience.

  4. To understand the cultural and social context of the dance.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Psychoanalytic dance criticism seeks to understand the dance through the lens of psychoanalysis, focusing on the choreographer's unconscious motivations and the psychological dynamics at play in the dance.

Which dance scholar is known for his work on the concept of 'theatricality' in dance?

  1. Richard Schechner

  2. Susan Leigh Foster

  3. Judith Butler

  4. Yvonne Rainer


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Richard Schechner is a theatre scholar who has also written extensively about dance, particularly on the concept of theatricality in dance.

What is the primary focus of cultural dance criticism?

  1. The dancer's physical appearance

  2. The emotional impact of the dance

  3. The technical proficiency of the dancers

  4. The cultural and social context of the dance


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Cultural dance criticism examines the dance in relation to its cultural and social context, exploring how it reflects and shapes cultural values, beliefs, and practices.

- Hide questions