Understanding Dance

Understanding Dance
Graham McFee | 1992-04-10 00:00:00 | Routledge | 352 | Dance
This important book examines the aesthetics of dance. Philosophically rigorous, appropriately introductory, and genuinely focused, Understanding Dance provides comprehensive coverage of all the main areas surrounding dance. Features include an examination of both U.K. and U.S. ballet companies and a look at the work of critics on both sides of the Atlantic.
Reviews
Graham McFee has written a tremendous book on the aesthetics of dance. His discussion goes on for roughly 350 pages yet rarely becomes repetitive or obtuse. Much has been written on the aesthetics of many other art forms both high and low--music, painting, and architecture, for instance--even though most of us freely acknowledge that what makes these art forms wonderous and human is impossible to explain in plain language. Why are we moved by melody, drawn in my a painting, or surprised by a great building? It's possible to discuss these questions but not to pin down the answers. The wonderful thing is how these discussions become more pleasurable rather than less so because they have no definite end.



In this vein, McFee's lengthy book on the aesthetics of dance is not conclusive. Yet while McFee never pins down exactly why humans dance and enjoy watching others dance, he firmly nails down components of the answer that enrich and enliven thought and discussion on the subject of dance.



"Understanding Dance" is not a practical guide to how to watch and quantify particular dance performances. There is no glossary, and you won't find a chart explaining the differences between jazz, tap, modern, and ballet dance styles. Still, its unique approach makes it a worthwhile and memorable read both for people deep in the world of dance and also for people just getting their feet wet. Rather than being full of jargon and dancing fundamentals, this book takes a broad and high approach to the subject of dance. You won't learn the difference between a pirouette and a grand jeté, but you will understand much more deeply why it is so pleasurable and inspiring to watch a ballet troupe (or any group of dancers) perform.
Reviews
". . . one of a very few comprehensive studies of dance by a serious philosopher, and he explores a wide range of important philosophical issues, from the identity of works of art in dance to the nature of crtitical reasoning." -- from my review for the Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism, Vol. 51 (Fall 1993), pp. 644-666.

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