After moving to London, UK, in 1898, Isadora Duncan traveled to Paris, France, and was inspired by the Louvre, by sculptures, Greek vases, and much more. Isadora Duncan earnestly continued on her quest to create the ideal dance. “I…sought the source of the spiritual expression to flow into the channels of the body, filling it with vibrating light – the centrifugal force reflecting the spirit’s vision.” And so, a stunningly new way to dance was born. Her school of dance was founded on this principle. After much intensive work, experimentation, and research, Isadora eventually co-opted the inspirations of nature and ancient dance traditions as key elements in her performance strategy.
Isadora Duncan initially danced in the homes of the nobles and high society. Within a few short years, her fame grew rapidly. In 1902, American actress and dancer Loie Fuller invited Isadora to tour with her. Isadora used her unique method to create new pieces, emphasizing spontaneous movement as opposed to the stiffness of conventional ballet. In 1904, Isadora Duncan established her first school in Berlin, Germany. She adopted young children, the majority of them from underprivileged families. Later, Isadora also founded dance schools in France, the United States, and Russia.
Isadora Duncan passed away at the age of 50 in Nice, France, in 1927. Her autobiography, “My Life,” published in the same year, went on to receive critical acclaim. Isadora Duncan not only influenced many other dancers and choreographers to follow in her footsteps, but she also had an impact on writers, photographers, and artists. Her legacy can still be seen in modern dance today, and Isadora Duncan has become known as the “Mother of Modern Dance.” In 1987, she was posthumously inducted into the National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame.
