Making an Entrance is the first ever practical introduction to teaching dance with disabled and non disabled students. This clearly written; thought provoking and hugely enjoyable manual is essential reading whether youre just starting out or are already active in the field.Taking improvisation as his focus and as the starting point of choreographic exploration; Adam Benjamin asks what it has to offer as an art form and how it can be better used to meet the changing needs of dance education.In the theoretical section Benjamin explores the history of a disintegrated dance practice; placing it within the wider context of cultural and political movements. He questions what is meant today when we talk about inclusive or integrated dance and what we might expect of it.The book includes over 50 exercises and improvisations designed to stimulate and challenge students at all levels of dance. Benjamin also includes useful hints on the practicalities of setting up workshops covering issues as diverse a class size; the safety aspects of wheelchairs and the accessibility of dance spaces.
2013-10-18 2013-10-18File Name: B00G24T5GI
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. For art-bio readersBy KarlaGrace Hartigan was never one of my preferred painters; Abstract Expressionist or otherwise. So I am probably disinclined to be excited by a book about her. But I did read it and it both lowered and increased my opinion of her. She was off-putting and rather mean. She made the most of her ability when she was young and painted some very lovely abstract paintings. Her later figurative paintings are of slight interest (to me and to art history.) She was a far better painter when she was young. Given what Curtis had to work with; she did a good job of illuminating Hartigans work and social environment. One thing was quite odd though-Hartigan; in the most interesting phase of her life; was very close to the poet Frank OHara (whom she dumped for unclear reasons.) In this bio he is not referred to again-not even when he suddenly died when he was 40 in 1966. There is no mention of Hartigans reaction to his death. This seemed odd to me. Another interesting part of her long life is her on and off friendships with the other female painters of her generation: Joan Mitchell; Lee Krasner and Helen Frankenthaler. I enjoyed learning about their long friendships with each other; both the highs and the lows.10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. There Is Nothin Like a DameBy Suzinne BarrettGrace Hartigan was a DAME. Drank; smoked; slept around; swore like a sailor. But more importantly she painted with PASSION. Coming of age alongside landmark artists like Wilhem DeKooning; Grace had a long hard slog establishing herself. Not until later in life did anything ever come easily for Grace.Very well written book; and it offers interesting insight into Hartigans creative process. The story is quite colorful; and Grace Hartigan - although I had never heard of her - had an extremely colorful personality. Sure she could be a joy to be around; but without warning she could also cut people to shreds; including her own family.Grace lived a long and very full life; so understandably the narrative can drag a bit in spots. However; overall I enjoyed this thoroughly; and recommend this well researched biography to those interested in the seminal New York art scene of the 40s through 50s.Full Disclosure: received an Advance Review e-copy from netgalley.com4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. would have been the time I would have liked to have known herBy Thomas A.Here is an example of indeed being able to tell a book by its cover. This biography is strikingly written; at the same time kudos to the person who made so arresting a jacket design. It is stunning and the book does not let you down.I did not know much about Grace Hartigan. The author excitingly captures the post war 50s era in New York City when De Kooning; Rothko; Pollock others were just gaining traction and earning success as Abstract Expressionists; comparing ideals during smokes drinks in affordable Greenwich Village pubs. When art exhibitions were assembled at the time; Grace might be the only female in the group; and was noted as a preeminent talent in national magazines. In life; I am not sure I would have been a fan of hers. Certainly the exciting Manhattan period during which she literally starved for her art; did what needed to just to get by and "lived" the idealism she espoused would have been the time I most would have liked to have known her."Restless Ambition" is exceedingly well-researched with a compendium of "Grace-isms." [Asked whether she had ever been told she painted as well as a man; Hartigan replies; "Not twice." She referred to one of the men she married as her "meatloaf husband."] At the peak of her fame and just preceding the next switch in Art Movements; Grace moves to Baltimore to become a hausfrau. Due to her high profile; she becomes a big fish in the suburban-like pond of the Maryland Institute College of Art. Could she have killed her career more deftly if she wanted to? She moves to "nowheresville" as far as the art world is concerned for love; and this exacerbates her love of the bottle. The man she marries; a nationally noted scientist; starts losing his mind and deflates her security with secret; outrageous spending. There are interesting accounts from former students. A favorite anecdote from the book happens during this time. Grace Hartigan gives a talk on art to a group during which time her purse containing a bottle of vodka crashes onto the ground. The alcohol seeps onto the floor for everyone present to see and smell.You have to give credit to someone who lives her life with the credo: I am going to do whatever I want to and to hell with everyone else. Then sticks to it.It may be impractical; rude beyond belief; and self-defeating. But if this is your position and you follow through then; however grudging; a level of admiration is deserved.Cathy Curtis "Restless Ambition" captures this. She also enables a person to appreciate her subject from the safest possible place---a distance. I would buy a ticket when this turned into a film. She had her flaws---who doesnt?---and sometimes flawed individuals make for good reads.