Central Europe:
- During the early 20th century, Vienna was a major hub for artistic expression, including dance. The innovative ideas of Austrian dancer and choreographer Rudolf von Laban, who emphasized natural movement, improvisation, and expression, had a profound influence on the development of modern dance.
United States:
- The United States also played a pivotal role in the emergence of modern dance. Isadora Duncan, often regarded as the "mother of modern dance," rejected the rigid techniques and conventions of classical ballet. She emphasized natural movements inspired by ancient Greek art, nature, and her emotions, liberating dance from strict technical constraints.
- Other influential American pioneers of modern dance include Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn, who combined Eastern and Western dance forms to create a new style that emphasized expression and spirituality. Their Denishawn School became a breeding ground for many future dance innovators, such as Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, and Charles Weidman.
Germany:
- Germany contributed to modern dance through the expressive dance movement known as Ausdruckstanz. This form, exemplified by dancers such as Mary Wigman and Kurt Jooss, emphasized emotional expression and the distortion of the body to create intense, abstract movements.
- These pioneering dancers, teachers, and choreographers, inspired by different cultural influences and artistic currents, laid the groundwork for what became known as modern dance. Their revolutionary ideas and practices revolutionized the art of dance and continue to influence contemporary dance expressions around the world.