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How did the Internet expand access to dance reviews and information in the 21st century?
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dance criticism
Dance criticism analyzes all forms of dance, including classic pieces such as Swan Lake, to enhance the understanding of the art form.
In the 21st century, the Internet fundamentally transformed access to dance information and criticism by making well-grounded, articulate writing instantly available to anyone with a connection.1
The expansion occurred through several key developments:
- Digital Presence of Traditional Media: Major newspapers and magazines transitioned to publishing online editions, ensuring that professional dance reviews were no longer confined to print.1
- Proliferation of Blogs: The rise of blogs created a diverse landscape of commentary, ranging from amateur perspectives to professional-grade criticism on platforms like danceviewtimes.com and nytheatre-wire.com.1
- Direct Access to Companies and Artists: Dance organizations began maintaining websites that provided extensive information, such as detailed records of repertory. Additionally, artists like Merce Cunningham utilized the web to engage directly with the public through interactive forums like online chats.1
- Specialized Digital Criticism: Professional critics, such as Tobi Tobias, began contributing to digital-only outlets like bloomberg.com, further diversifying the sources of expert analysis.1
These advancements ensured that dance criticism—the descriptive analysis of performance—became more accessible than ever before.12