Graham, Cunningham, Peranda

As I work on my MFA thesis, I think a lot about the parallels of modern dance and Native American dance.

In addition to that, I think about why the hell I chose to write my thesis "about", to establish my dance form. --That is a huge endeavor, a lot of ego, and a lot of authority I am wielding....yet, this I feel I must do.

Martha Graham has passed down some quotations, some knowledges, some ideas, some ponders, to help me get through this MFA trial though:

"No artist is ahead of his time. He is time; the others are just behind the times."- Martha Graham

I feel that I am ahead of myself, ahead of my time.....but no. Thinking that I am time. Situated in Time and Space, I realize I must create, I must dance, I must write right now. There is no time in the future to do this work, just now...


also

"You see, when weaving a blanket, an Indian woman leaves a flaw in the weaving of that blanket to let the soul out.” - Martha Graham

This is sacredness. The Flaw is meant to happen. The Flaw is what happens. The Flaw is okay. The Flaw is the spirit. The Flaw is us. The Flaw is our light. The Flaw is our bodies. The Flaw is beautiful. The Flaw is perfection. The Flaw is sacred.....

So much of what the early modern dancers did....are so Native...

”The body is a sacred garment.” - Martha Graham

”The spine is the tree of life. Respect it.” - Martha Graham

”You are unique, and if that is not fulfilled, then something has been lost.” - Martha Graham

”To learn to dance by practicing dancing or to learn to live by practicing living, the principles are the same. - Martha Graham

Cunningham

Time Space Force

Sacred Time
Sacred Space
Sacred Force --passion -- Life

It is all the same. YET THE GROUNDING PRINCIPAL IS WHAT MAKES THIS SAMENESS SO DIVINE AND MAGIC.
IT IS THAT THIS LAND, AMERICAN LAND, AMERICAN INDIAN LAND, IS THE LAND OF THE SIMPLE SACREDNESS. THAT, THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE DANCE IS DONE TO KEEP THE WORLD IN BALANCE.....THIS IS WHERE DANCE IS USED TO CREATE MORE THAN JUST MOVEMENTS, A PLACE OF PROFOUND TRANSFORMATION BY UNIFICATION WITH THE EARTH..... sync up with the rhythm of the earth, of you, it is groovy and delicious...let's dance....let's be sacred.

learn to dance by practicing dancing; learn to live by practicing living; learn to love by practicing loving; learn to die by practicing dying.....some days it's a good day to die, some days its a good day to have a Grand Slam Breakfast....now, let's get our groove on