Discuss how dance as an art form has evolved and changed over the years.

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Dance as an Art Form

The history of dance as an art can be traced with the emergence of cultures around the world and with the evolution of mankind . In early civilizations , dance has been a very essential part of their primitive cultures . When people asked for rain , they danced for the gods of rain Or when they want to have a good catch , they would move as if they were pulling a net full of fishes . In essence , man expressed himself through movement

when oral and spoken language was still on their nascent stage Together with the visual arts , dance was the first mode of expression and communication . With the progress of different societies , dance has also evolved and adapted to the changes . From religious activities to public performances , dance and other similar movements were popularized as a means of easily understanding the message . Facial expressions activities familiar to the audience were also characteristic of this art form

As the society advanced to a more sophisticated and more interactive community of cultures , dance has also evolved and surpassed its role in the religious activities and courts of rulers . Social dancing as we know it today traces its origins in three possible foundations . Ballroom dancing for example became popular with courtesans in the 16th and 17th centuries in Europe and not much participated by the commoners . Such exclusivity of dance to the aristocracy distanced ballroom dancing from being patronized by the greater public . It was only after the political and social reforms in the 18th and 19th centuries that the dances of the aristocracy also became popular with the masses . Thus , from being confined to a wealthy few , dance has also benefited from the economic and political victories of the lower and middle classes . Somehow , dance became an integral part of the politicization of culture . The most popular of these ballroom dances is the waltz which originated from the Austrian courts . The dance itself represented the political trend . As the society deviated from dogmatism and rigidity so was the spirit they found in waltz . Due to its popularity , waltz as an art form began to deteriorate and was eclipsed by other dances now unconfined to the elite . The 20th century found the convergence of South American and Caribbean music and rhythm which had more primitive origins . Social dancing evolved from its origins in Europe to a concoction of various cultures . Tap dance and folk dances also influenced the development of social dancing that through time , artistic components were added and invented or revived to produce a more vibrant variety of dances

In the course of the evolution of human societies , culture has adapted to the changes brought about by the modifications in the economic foundations of the era . Culture , as a part of the superstructure changed through time . The early models of human production system were a very nature-dependent system and as a result they also had a nature-themed dance or dances...