How did Martha Graham’s use of gravity differ from ballet’s approach?

While classical ballet strives to defy or conceal the force of gravity to create an illusion of weightlessness, Martha Graham and other modern dancers emphasized their own weight and the downward pull of the Earth.1

In her choreography, Graham did not attempt to hide the physical strain of movement; instead, she utilized it to express human emotion and struggle. Her approach differed from ballet in the following ways:1

• Embracing Weight: Rather than seeking to escape gravity, Graham’s movements often occurred close to or directly on the floor. She developed a wide repertoire of falls that acknowledged the body's relationship with the ground.1
• Visible Effort: While ballet traditionally conceals the exertion required to perform, Graham’s technique highlighted the struggle against physical limitations through angular limbs, clenched fists, and flexed feet.1
• Grounding: By centering movement in the pelvis and utilizing powerful contractions and releases, Graham’s technique grounded the dancer, contrasting with the ethereal, upward-reaching aesthetic often associated with classical ballet.21