Action Quote by Alwin Nikolais
“Basic dance--and I should qualify the word basic--is primarily concerned with motion. So immediately you will say but the basketball player is concerned with motion. That is so--but he is not concerned with it primarily. His action is a means towards an end beyond motion. In basic dance the motion is its own end--that is, it is concerned with nothing beyond itself.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Dance Workshop Lecture, Alwin Nikolais, 1975
Basic dance treats movement as its own purpose, unlike sports where motion serves a larger goal.
In simple terms: Dance focuses on movement itself.
Key Takeaway
Appreciate movement for its own sake.
Themes
dance
movement
purpose
art
expression
Mood
contemplative
artistic
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- dance class
- choreography
- personal practice
- performance
- teaching
Key Concepts
kinematics
aesthetics
embodiment
Questions to Reflect On
- How does focusing on motion change your perception of dance?
- Can movement be both functional and expressive?
A Different Perspective
Movement alone may lack narrative or functional direction.
