Now that I have provided a base of valuable information on Lester
Horton, I would like to evaluate what this artist means to me. A short time
ago, the mention of his name would have brought me to thoughts of a grueling
technique class, complete with flat backs, primitive squats, and coccyx
balances. While I had always appreciated that his technique was built upon his
knowledge of human anatomy, and through that understanding was meant to aid the
dancer by increasing their strength and flexibility, I now recognize the value
in how it was created. Horton was not a doctor, nor a professor, nor even a
college graduate, who already had a deep awareness of anatomy and of how to
accomplish this. Instead, he was simply a man who had an interest –an interest
in dance, and culture, and the body- and took this curiosity and turned it into
something completely unique and worthwhile. As the man himself said, “I am sincerely trying now to create a
dance technique based entirely upon corrective exercises, created with a
knowledge of human anatomy; a technique which will correct physical faults and
prepare a dancer for any type of dancing he may wish to follow; a technique
having all the basic movements which govern the actions of the body; combined
with a knowledge of the origin of movement and a sense of artistic design”
(Pierre 36). This approach is
meaningful to me, as a dance student, because his technique is meant to
neutralize the dancer and make them ready to take up any style, and I feel
immensely lucky to have been able to take classes based on this technique in my
past.
Horton’s role
in art is also significant to me, as well as dancers everywhere, because he set
a new standard for who could dance and where they could do it. At a time when
civil rights tensions pervaded American culture, Horton created the first
racially integrated dance company. He established a mindset that guides
choreographers to this day, that if he liked what the dancer could do, he
wanted them, regardless of ethnic background. Also, by creating his company in
California, when much of the dance realm was focused in New York, he pushed the
boundaries of where dance could be appreciated by audiences and achieve
success. Now dance companies are dispersed across the nation, and I believe
that a part of the reason for this can be attributed to the bravery, boldness,
and determination of Lester Horton. Through these actions he has opened up
opportunities for this art form, as well as given us a batch of artists,
including students such as Alvin Ailey, that have made further unforgettable
contributions. Lastly, in his constant struggle to make his endeavors work,
despite shortages of money and such obstacles, Horton demonstrated an unrelenting sense of
perseverance and is an inspiration for many.
Works
Cited: Pierre, Dorathi Bock. From
Primitive to Modern. “American Dancer.” 1937. Print.