The bigger picture

         What was happening in the world that might have shaped the thinking and subsequent creative output of your choreographer?  There were many events happening in the 1920’s and 30’s some progressive and some detrimental. Graham was witnessing various political, industrial, technological, and social events during the prime of her career. After the end of WW1 in 1918, the 18th amendment was set in place, also known as, prohibition.  Crime went hand in hand with prohibition, there was organized crime with figures like Al Capone, and bootlegging. In the mid 1920’s there was an agricultural depression as a result of the overproduction throughout the first world war. Graham took a lot of inspiration from the culture of the American pioneers and farmers, and this must have had some impact on her. There was a lot of urbanization going on due to the agricultural depression, people were moving into cities where there were many more jobs and easy access to amenities. Shortly after, in 1929 there was the devastating stock market crash which turned the economic system of the united states upside down. The market crash of 29’ marked the start of the great depression. Everyone and anyone was affected by the great depression and although times were extremely difficult, Graham managed to choreograph seven pieces including, Heretic, Moment Rustica, Vision Of The Apocalypse, Danza, Adolescence, Resurrection, and Figure Of A Saint.
       Franklin Roosevelt took the American presidency in 1932, and in 1933 Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany and kick started the Nazi regime which is considered to this day, a mass genocide. Graham’s notable work,  “Chronicle” was influenced by the Spanish Civil war, the great depression, and the wall street crash of 29’.
       During the 1920’s and 30’s there were other political and social things going on such as, communism, fascism, and racism with the acceptance of the Klu Klux Klan. The 1940’s was another time of transition for America due to WWII.  The  Martha graham center of contemporary dance was established in 1926 and she continued to dance and choreograph works until 1969. Throughout her time dancing and choreographing she was developing her modern technique, and being inspired by cultural events while choreographing. She was also concerned with being the principal dancer in every one of her dances.
      She collaborated with composers such as Louis Horst, Aaron Copeland, Samuel Barber, and William Schuman. She also had a lighting designer Jean Rosenthal that she worked closely with. She worked very little with photographers because she didn’t like to document her pieces, but she worked with Imogen Cunningham, Barbara Morgan, and Philippe Halsman.