Fusing to lives together through a modern dance view

Elizabeth Parry
Nov 3 · 2 min read

“As people make transnational voyages and live lives of flexible citizenship in two or more cultures, they adhere to a new type of nationalism that creates an exclusionist dis- course and builds…” (Sabine Sorgel, Transnationalism and Contemporary African Dance: Faustin Linyekula.) Jośe Limòn is a modern dancer who was challenged at a young age to fuse together two cultures, his Mexican heritage into America culture. Limòn was able to fuse together his two cultures, along with presenting important message/statements through his art of dance. “We need to celebrate our artistic in America they are the noble achievers of what we what we do. They reflect our culture they challenge our culture and Jośe was just such a person.” (Discovering Limón — Documentary) Growing up in two different cultures gave Limòn many unique life experiences all which had influenced his art and the way he wanted to move his body. A majority of his works came from personal experiences, allowing the movement to have such a strong effect on audiences.

“Josè Limòn electrified the world with his dynamic masculine dancing and dramatic choreography” (Discovering Limón — Documentary) I see Limòn has an important dance figure, a great male dancer, who not only helped paved and shaped modern dance into the art it is today, but also a dancer who fought for the recognition for all modern dancers, both male and female. As said before Limòn is known for his “dynamic masculine dancing”, which to me doesn’t mean his movement was only created for a male body. Over time I have had the chance learn Limòn repertory from a few of his works, while learning the works I never felt as if the movement was too masculine for me as a female to be doing. I believe that the movement he created was created to emphasize what the male body could do, but also wasn’t limited to just a male body. However, I do think that Limòn’s biggest goal for creating he works was to take his hardships, turn them into an art form and to give those who would watch his work strong statements about the world and to give hope to those who are facing challenges.

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