PT141.S3.P2.Q12 > Explanation

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One of the more striking developments in modern North American dance was African American choreographer Katherine Dunham's introduction of a technique known as dance-isolation, in which one part of the body moves in one rhythm while other parts are kept stationary or are moved in different rhythms. The incorporation of this technique into North American and European choreography is relatively recent, although various forms of the technique have long been essential to traditional dances of certain African, Caribbean, and Pacific-island cultures. …

Intro topic · Katherine Dunham brought dance-isolation technique to North American choreography

Dance-isolation = one part of body moves to rhythm while other parts stay still or move to a different rhythm. Variations of this move were part of African, Caribbean, and Pacific-island cultures.

Dunham's success in bringing dance-isolation and other traditional techniques from those cultures into the mainstream of modern North American dance is due in no small part to her training in both anthropological research and choreography.

Reason for Dunham's success · Training in both anthropological research and choreographer

As an anthropologist in the 1930s, Dunham was one of the pioneers in the field of dance ethnology. Previously, dance had been neglected as an area of social research, primarily because most social scientists gravitated toward areas likely to be recognized by their peers as befitting scientifically rigorous, and therefore legitimate, modes of inquiry. Moreover, no other social scientist at that time was sufficiently trained in dance to be able to understand dance techniques, while experts in dance were not trained in the methods of social research.

Historical context · Dance was neglected as area of social research

Social scientists tended to focus on stuff they thought was more scientifically rigorous. Also, social scientists didn't have as much training in dance as Dunham; dance experts didn't have her training in social science research.

Starting in 1935, Dunham conducted a series of research projects into traditional Caribbean dance forms, with special interest in their origins in African culture. …

Dunham's dance research · Studied Caribbean dance forms and origins in African culture

Especially critical to her success was her approach to research, which diverged radically from the methodology that prevailed at the time. Colleagues in anthropology advised her not to become too closely involved in the dances she was observing, both because of the extreme physical demands of the dances, and because they subscribed to the long-standing view, now fortunately recognized as unrealistic, that effective data gathering can and must be conducted from a position of complete detachment. But because of her interest and her skill as a performer, she generally eschewed such caution and participated in the dances herself. Through prolonged immersion of this kind, Dunham was able not only to comprehend various dances as complex cultural practices, but also to learn the techniques well enough to teach them to others and incorporate them into new forms of ballet.

Dunham's radical approach · Dunham participated in dances herself

Social scientists advised her not to do this, because they assumed (wrongly) that science must be done from position of detachment. By participating in dances herself, Dunham understood the techniques well enough to teach them to others.

Between 1937 and 1945, Dunham developed a research-to-performance method that she used to adapt Caribbean dance forms for use in theatrical performance, combining them with modern dance styles she learned in Chicago. The ballets she created in this fashion were among the first North American dances to rectify the exclusion of African American themes from the medium of modern dance. …

Dunham's transition to performance · Adapted Caribbean dance forms to modern dance styles

Her work was thus crucial in establishing African American dance as an art form in its own right, making possible future companies such as Arthur Mitchell's Dance Theater of Harlem.

Impact of Dunham's work · Established African American dance as own art form

Passage Style

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12.

According to the passage, which one of the following was true of the dance forms that Dunham began studying in 1935?

They were more similar to dance forms used in Pacific-island cultures than to any other known dance forms.

The author doesn’t compare which dance forms had more influence on the dances studied by Dunham beginning in 1935.

They represented the first use of the technique of dance-isolation within a culture outside of Africa.

“First” is too extreme. We don’t know that these dance forms were the “first” to use dance-isolation outside of Africa.

21%

They shared certain rhythmic characteristics with the dance forms employed in North American ballets.

The author never indicates that the dance forms studied by Dunham shared rhythmic characteristics with dance forms of North American ballets.

They had already influenced certain popular dances in North America.

The author never suggests that the dance forms studied by Dunham in 1935 had already influenced popular dances in North America.

They were influenced by the traditions of non-Caribbean cultures.

Supported by the beginning of P3. African culture is non-Caribbean.

61%

PrepTest 141 - Section 3 - Passage 2 - Question 12

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