Abstract Quote by Merce Cunningham
“Movement is expressive. I've never denied that. I don't think there's such a thing as abstract dance.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Dance Talk, Merce Cunningham, 1995
Movement conveys meaning; dance cannot be purely abstract because it always expresses something.
In simple terms: Movement expresses meaning; dance is never abstract.
Key Takeaway
Use movement to convey ideas.
Themes
expression
art
communication
Mood
reflective
inspired
Type
artistic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- theatre performance
- dance class
- personal expression
- team building
Key Concepts
embodiment
nonverbal language
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your body language affect your message?
- Can movement replace words in some contexts?
A Different Perspective
Abstract concepts may be hard to convey without visual cues.
![“It seemed so wimpy at first when I started to play [guitar]. So I started playing loud with lots of effects just to try to mimic the dynamic [of the drums]. Drums seemed a lot more expressive. [I was] Trying to emulate the feeling of playing the drums on the guitar - I guess that's why I played it…” quote by J Mascis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2f0/j-mascis-27113_effects_it-seemed-so-wimpy-at-first-when-i-start_73329.jpg)
