Martha Graham was an American modern dancer and choreographer whose influence on dance has been compared to the influence of Picasso on modern visual arts, the influence of Stravinsky on music, and the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright on architecture. She developed a new form of dance based on contraction and release, which she called “Contraction and Release Technique”. Throughout her career she created more than 180 works including ballets, modern dances, and musicals. Her quotes are powerful reflections of her creative genius.”Nobody cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance. Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.” – Martha Graham
Life Lessons from Martha Graham
Martha Graham was an American modern dancer and choreographer whose influence on dance has been compared to the influence of Picasso on modern visual arts, Stravinsky on music, and Frank Lloyd Wright on architecture. She was one of the pioneers of modern dance and her work has profoundly influenced the direction of American dance. Graham’s life was filled with many lessons that we can all learn from and apply to our own lives. Here are some life lessons from Martha Graham that can help us in our daily lives:
Take Risks
Graham was known for taking risks with her choreography and often pushed boundaries in her performances. She once said, “There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action.” This quote speaks to the idea that taking risks in life can lead to great rewards. We should all strive to take risks in order to reach our potential and maximize our opportunities.
Follow Your Passion
Graham was passionate about the art of dancing, and she pursued it with enthusiasm and dedication throughout her entire life. She once said, “No artist is ahead of his time. He is his time; it’s just that others are behind the times.” This speaks to the idea that we should all be passionate about what we do in life and strive for excellence in whatever field we choose to pursue.
Stay Positive
Despite challenges and hardships throughout her career, Graham remained positive and motivated throughout her life. She once said “Dance is a celebration of the energy of life!” This quote speaks to the idea that being positive and celebrating every moment can be a great source of strength when facing difficult times or challenges. We should all strive to stay positive no matter what obstacles we face in order to keep moving forward towards our goals.
Be Fearless
Graham was not afraid of failure or criticism; she embraced them as opportunities for growth and improvement. She once said “No artist is pleased… There is only a queer divine dissatisfaction; a blessed unrest that keeps us marching.” This quote speaks to the idea that being fearless is essential for success as it allows us to take risks without fear of failure or criticism. We should all strive to be fearless when pursuing our passions in order to maximize our potential for success.
Dance is the hidden language of the soul
Martha Graham was an American dancer and choreographer whose influence on modern dance has been compared to the influence of Picasso on modern visual arts, Stravinsky on music, or Frank Lloyd Wright on architecture. Her passion for dance was evident in her famous quote, “Dance is the hidden language of the soul”. She believed that dance could be used to express emotions and feelings that could not be put into words. Graham’s works explored themes of individuality, identity, and human experience. Her innovative techniques revolutionized modern dance and inspired generations of dancers who followed in her footsteps.
The body says what words cannot
Graham also believed strongly in the power of movement to communicate ideas and emotions. She famously said, “The body says what words cannot”. She believed that movement was a powerful tool for conveying meaning and emotion without having to rely on words. According to Graham, dance was a way for people to express themselves fully and authentically without relying solely on verbal communication.
You are unique
Graham also encouraged her students to explore their own individual styles of movement. She famously said, “No artist is ahead of his time. He is his time; it’s just that others are behind the times.” She believed that each person had their own unique style of movement that should be celebrated rather than trying to conform to someone else’s idea of what is right or wrong.
Nothing is impossible
Graham also believed strongly in pushing boundaries and challenging oneself in order to grow as an artist. As she said, “Nothing is impossible; there are ways that lead to everything.” She encouraged her students to take risks and explore new possibilities with their art form in order to uncover new potentials within themselves as artists.
It’s never too late
Finally, Graham offered words of encouragement for those who may have felt discouraged about pursuing their dreams at any age. As she said, “It’s never too late or early for that matter…to be whoever you want to be.” Her inspiring message reminds us all that it’s never too late to pursue our passions or make a change in our lives for the better.
Words of Wisdom from Martha Graham
Martha Graham was an American modern dancer and choreographer whose work has had a profound impact on the world of dance. Her words of wisdom are timeless and inspiring. Here are some of her most well known quotes:
“No artist is ahead of his time. He is his time; it’s just that others are behind the times.”
“The body says what words cannot.”
“Dance is the hidden language of the soul.”
“Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.”
“It’s not so important who starts the work, but who finishes it.”
“The only sin is mediocrity.”
These words from Martha Graham can help us all to stay focused and motivated in our creative endeavors. By embracing her wisdom, we can become more creative and passionate about our art, whatever form it may take.
What Martha Graham Said About Dance
Martha Graham was a pioneering and influential dancer, choreographer and teacher of modern dance. She is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in 20th-century dance. Her work has had an enormous influence on generations of dancers and choreographers around the world.
Graham was known for her groundbreaking approach to choreography, which focused on the physical and emotional aspects of movement. She believed that dance should express emotions, rather than simply being a form of entertainment or exercise. In her own words, she said: “Dance is the hidden language of the soul.”
Graham also believed that movement could be used to tell stories and explore ideas. She encouraged her students to move with intention and explore their own personal stories through dance. She said: “My dances are born first in my imagination, my body supplies the movements.”
Graham’s use of movement as a form of personal expression was revolutionary in its day, and has had a lasting impact on modern dance. Her passion for movement as an expression of emotion has inspired generations of artists who continue to explore new ways to express themselves through movement.
Martha Graham’s Writings
Martha Graham was a pioneering dancer and choreographer whose innovative style of modern dance influenced generations of performers and choreographers. Known for her iconic works such as Cave of the Heart, Appalachian Spring, and Diversion of Angels, Graham developed a distinct movement language that has since become a cornerstone of contemporary dance. Her writings on choreography and the creative process are still studied by dancers around the world. Here are some of her most memorable quotes:
1. “No artist is ahead of his time. He is his time; it is just that others are behind the times.”
Graham believed in staying true to one’s creative vision regardless of societal expectations or trends. She encouraged artists to use their own artistic expression to create something unique that captures their individual experience and perspective in the moment.
2. “Great dancers are not great because of their technique; they are great because of their passion.”
Graham believed that technique alone could not make a great dancer, but rather it was the passion and commitment to art that made an artist truly great. She identified passion as one of the most important elements in crafting a successful piece of art or performance.
3. “Dance is the hidden language of the soul.”
Graham saw dance as a powerful medium for expressing emotions and conveying stories in ways that words cannot communicate. She believed that movement can convey feelings more deeply than words ever could, making it an essential part of any meaningful artistic expression.
4. “A dancer dies twice – once when they stop dancing, and this first death is more painful.”
Graham understood how difficult it can be for dancers to eventually move on from performing, as it often signals the end of an era in one’s life – both physically and emotionally. She encouraged dancers to embrace this change with grace and dignity as they transition into a new chapter in life.
Best Quotes From Martha Graham on Success
Martha Graham was an American modern dancer and choreographer who is considered one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Her work had a profound impact on the development of dance, and her quotes on success are still relevant today. Here are some of her best quotes on success:
“No artist is ahead of his time. He is his time; it’s just that others are behind the times.” This quote highlights Martha’s focus on being in tune with the present moment and recognizing that true success comes from staying in touch with one’s own time.
“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action.” This quote speaks to the importance of following your own energy and inner drive to achieve success.
“We learn by practice. Whether it means to learn to dance by practicing dancing or to learn to live by practicing living, the principles are the same.” Here Martha emphasizes the power of practice as a key factor in achieving success.
“It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.” In this quote, Martha encourages individuals to focus on staying true to themselves and their own creative expression rather than comparing themselves with others.
“Great dancers are not great because of their technique; they are great because of their passion.” Here Martha reminds us that passion can be greater than technique when striving for success.
“Dance is a song of the body. Either of joy or pain.” Through this quote, Martha expresses her belief that dance can be an expression of both joy and pain, providing us with an important reminder that success sometimes involves overcoming difficult times.
Live Out Your Dreams
Martha Graham was an American dancer and choreographer who was instrumental in the development of modern dance. She is often quoted as saying, “No artist is ahead of his time. He is his time; it’s just that others are behind the times.” This quote emphasizes the importance of living out your dreams, no matter how ahead of the curve you may be. To Martha Graham, it was essential to be true to yourself and your passions instead of trying to conform to societal norms. She believed that everyone should pursue their unique path in life and fearlessly express themselves through art, dance, or any other creative pursuit.
Nurture Your Curiosity
In addition to living out your dreams, Martha Graham was a firm believer in nurturing your curiosity. To her, curiosity was key to growth and unlocking new possibilities. She believed that life should be filled with exploration, experimentation, and discovery—all of which require an inquisitive mind. Her advice for those seeking a creative outlet or looking for inspiration was simple: stay curious and explore all the possibilities available to you.
Embrace Your Fears
Martha Graham also recognized the importance of facing our fears head-on—even if that means doing something uncomfortable or unfamiliar. She once said, “Great dancers are not great because of their technique; they are great because of their passion.” This quote emphasizes her belief that we must embrace our fears in order to push ourselves creatively and reach our true potential as artists. By facing our fears we can learn more about ourselves and become more confident in our abilities.
Find Joy in Movement
Finally, Martha Graham believed that movement could unlock joy within us all—even if we don’t consider ourselves dancers or artists. According to her philosophy, movement can help us connect with our bodies and minds on a deeper level while allowing us to express ourselves without words. Whether it’s dancing alone in your room or exploring a new form of exercise with friends, finding joy in movement can help us become more mindful and present while also bringing us closer to ourselves and others.
Conclusion
Martha Graham’s words are timeless and offer us insight into how to live our lives. She believed that the greatest joys come from embracing our uniqueness, taking risks, and pushing ourselves to reach our full potential. Her words of wisdom remind us that life is precious and to make the most of it by taking chances and trusting our creative instincts. We can use Graham’s quotes to help guide us in making decisions and living a fulfilling life.
Graham’s legacy lives on in her work and in her words, which continue to inspire generations of people around the world. Her artistry, courage, and resilience remind us that we have the power within ourselves to overcome any obstacle or challenge that may come our way. Martha Graham’s quotes will continue to offer inspiration for years to come, urging each of us to reach for greatness no matter what life throws at us.