Rosiny, Claudia: Tanz Film. Intermediale Beziehungen zwischen Mediengeschichte und moderner Tanzästhetik. Bielefeld: transcript 2013, E-Book
Survey: The book explores the intermedial relationships between dance and various audiovisual media, focusing on six key themes: influences of media on dance aesthetics, use of media on stage, film genres involving dance, videotanz, integration of digital technologies, and internet-based dance aesthetics. The structure includes theoretical discussions, historical contexts, case studies, and mediatheoretical conclusions. It provides an interdisciplinary examination of the interplay between modern dance and media evolution.
Question: How do audiovisual media influence modern dance aesthetics? What are the significant historical and contemporary examples of dance works using media? Does the author provide clear methodological frameworks to analyze these intermedial relationships?
Read:
- Historical analysis of how film and photography intersected with dance since the early 20th century.
- Examination of specific works (e.g., Maya Deren’s A Study in Choreography for the Camera).
- Discussions on mediatheoretical concepts like intermediality, transmediality, and multimediality, and their relevance to dance.
- Detailed case studies on technological innovations like motion capture and the choreographic possibilities of digital tools.
Six Themes of Intermediality in Dance:
1.Media Influences on Dance Aesthetics: This section traces historical influences, such as the integration of photography and film into dance in the early 20th century, and the shift in aesthetic paradigms due to modern media.
2. Media Use on Stage: Focuses on performance art from the 1910s to the present, highlighting how multimedia technologies have transformed the stage.
3. Dance in Film and Television: Discusses Hollywood musicals, Bollywood dance films, and televised dance. Iconic works like Singin‘ in the Rain and The Red Shoes are analyzed for their choreographic contributions to cinema.
4. Videotanz: Investigates the evolution of dance-for-camera works, emphasizing pioneers like Maya Deren and Merce Cunningham.
5. Dance and Digital Technologies Examines innovations such as motion capture and interactive installations.
6. Dance Aesthetics via the Internet: Considers how platforms like YouTube have democratized dance. Case studies include flash mobs and viral dance phenomena like Evolution of Dance.
Recite: The book posits that dance and media are deeply interconnected, with media shaping not only how dance is preserved but also its aesthetic and conceptual boundaries. The analytical frameworks provided help readers dissect the complexities of these intermedial relationships. The examples enrich understanding, showcasing the evolution from early cinema’s influence to digital and virtual innovations in contemporary dance.
Review: The book is highly structured, with chapters logically progressing from foundational theories to specialized topics. The arguments are well-supported by interdisciplinary research, making the book a valuable resource for understanding the fusion of dance and media. Its focus on both historical and cutting-edge examples ensures a comprehensive perspective.
Is the author an expert? Yes, Claudia Rosiny holds a doctorate in philosophy, directs dance and theater funding at the Swiss Federal Office of Culture, and teaches at universities. Her extensive academic and practical background in dance and media underscores her expertise.
How would you rate the structure of the text, the quality of the content, the style? The structure of the E-Book is excellent, it is methodically organized into thematic sections, allowing readers to focus on specific aspects of intermedial relationships. The quality of its content is high, it integrates rigorous academic research with practical examples and mediatheoretical concepts. It is written scientifically but also accessible at the same time, the writing maintains clear, thus making complex ideas comprehensible as a reader.
Is the book/article useful for your purpose? If yes, which chapter % aspects? If not, why not? What is missing, what is inadequate? Yes. It is particularly useful for exploring the chapters on „Medieneinflüsse auf die Tanzästhetik“ (= ”Media Influences on Dance Aesthetics”) and „Tanz und digitale Technologien“ (= ”Dance and Digital Technologies”). These sections provide valuable insights into how media reshapes dance, aligning with contemporary research needs. While comprehensive, the book could benefit from more comparative analyses between non-European and European traditions of dance-media intersections. The focus is predominantly Western-centric, leaving room for further exploration of global intermedial practices.
