Dancing on the Fault Lines of History: Selected Essays

Formal criticism of modern dance is a relatively young field compared to analogues in the other performing arts, but this collection of essays by one of the genre’s founders proves that modern dance is a subject of rich cultural meaning, thanks to her probing analyses. Through her writings, Manning (Modern Dance, Negro Dance: Race in Motion) provides a historical overview of modern dance scholarship, chiefly from her own experience as a pioneer of the profession. Referencing early artists, including Isadora Duncan and Mary Wigman, as well as present-day creators, such as Mark Morris and Reggie Wilson, Manning examines the complex intersections of modern dance with social issues such as sexuality and gender, race, geopolitics, and cultural appropriation. Numerous references to specific artists and their works will resonate most with readers who have broad and deep modern dance knowledge and are familiar with the choreography Manning discusses. Extensive notes, a list of works cited, and an index will add to the book’s appeal as a research resource.