Mary Wigman - Dancer, Choreographer and Pioneer of Expressionist Dance 3

This footage of Mary Wigman performing ‘Pastorale’ has been dated to 1929 by the techniques and the characteristics of her development at that time.

What particularly struck me about this performance is the extraordinary plasticity of her arms and hands.

I think this is the original sound. Silent films could be given the illusion of being with sound by synchronising the footage with a phonograph record. Gaumont’s Chronomégaphone was in operation as early as 1908.

Wigman was a German dancer, choreographer and pioneer of expressionist dance, who also advocated and developed dance therapy.

She was one of the most important figures in the history of European dance, an iconic figure in Weimar Republic German culture.

Her work was praised for translating existential ideas onto the stage.

Enjoy!