Library Of Congress Looks At Politics Of Dance

WASHINGTON -- Throughout much of the 20th century, choreographers created political dances that protested injustices, advocated reforms and showed diverse cultural expressions.

A new exhibit at the Library of Congress in Washington is now exploring the politics of dance. In "Politics and the Dancing Body," the library offers visitors a look at how American choreographers used dance as a political tool from World War I through the Cold War.

Items on view include the invitation from Germany's Third Reich to modern dancer Martha Graham to participate in the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics. Graham refused the invitation. There's also a page from dancer Jane Dudley's FBI file and photographs from American Ballet Theatre's 1960 trip to the Soviet Union, among other items.

The exhibit opened Thursday and will be on view through July.

Comments

[JScott]

10:43 AM on 02/22/2012

Isn't there a tune called 'The Politics Of Dancing'.

[Valerie B Kaiser MD]

01:45 AM on 02/21/2012

The rising hatred for African Americans, Catholics, then Mexicans (Mexican Hayride, Spring in Brazil) used LaVerne French, a fantastic athelete, to bear her naked chest in dance in SHOW BOAT 1946. Photos at www.eileendarby.com though she would not have known back then. Paul Robeson sang as a slave. Joseph Toner sang two of three of Ravenal's songs, on the "microgroove recording" proving two different singers. Was Joseph Toner there? Probably not, just his voice transmitted in. It is a more complicated story than this, but since Ziegfeld Died, Show Boat has been abused, and misused, sadly to harm rather than heal. Will upload photos of 1946 Show Boat at www.facebook.com/valerie.kaiser from Life Magazine with further comments to follow.

[Valerie B Kaiser MD]

11:10 PM on 02/22/2012

It seems that the prior comment is up for debate regarding removal. I would suggest everyone check out the photo album at:'
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.252359544845757.60814.100002151413403&type=1&l=13142eda42
Perhaps that will get the point across. Nothing like drawings of the HOLOCAUST being beaten out by a new dance of SHOW BOAT or the face of JAN CLAYTON.