Lamentation

E539562

Lamentation is a seminal 1930 modern dance solo choreographed and performed by Martha Graham, renowned for its stark emotional intensity and innovative use of costume and movement to embody grief.

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Statements (42)

Predicate Object
instanceOf choreographic work
modern dance solo
artForm modern dance
choreographer Martha Graham NERFINISHED
choreographicApproach psychological exploration through movement
costumeColor purple
costumeDesigner Martha Graham NERFINISHED
costumeType tube-like stretch jersey costume
countryOfOrigin United States of America
surface form: United States
documentation filmed and widely reproduced in dance history materials
duration short work
emotionalTone intense
somber
firstPerformanceCompany Martha Graham Dance Company NERFINISHED
genre expressionist dance
historicalSignificance landmark of Martha Graham’s early choreographic style
seminal work in early American modern dance
influenceOn development of expressive modern dance
use of costume as an extension of the body in dance
legacy frequently cited in dance scholarship
iconic image of Martha Graham seated in a purple shroud-like costume
movementFocus angular, sculptural shapes
contraction and release
restricted, bound movement
movementStyle Martha Graham technique
musicType piano accompaniment
notableFor innovative use of costume
innovative use of movement to embody grief
stark emotional intensity
performer Martha Graham NERFINISHED
premiereDecade 1930s
premiereYear 1930
repertoryStatus classic of the Martha Graham repertory
setting seated on a bench
structure solo
symbolism embodiment of grief through the body
universal human suffering
theme emotional suffering
grief
mourning
visualAesthetic focus on single figure in space
minimalist staging

Referenced by (3)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Heartstone followedBy Lamentation
Martha Graham notableWork Lamentation