Dancing with the Revolution: Power, Politics, and Privilege in Cuba

Elizabeth B. Schwall explores how dance artists in Cuba interacted with republican and revolutionary politics, using their bodies and nonverbal choreography to support and critique political regimes and cultural biases. They used their art to promote radical notions of social justice and challenge racial prejudice, gender norms, and censorship, providing fresh perspectives on the meaning of movement for people and nations.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 10 May 2021
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

Elizabeth B. Schwall delves into the intricate relationship between culture and politics, centering her analysis on the captivating art form of dance. In this comprehensive history of staged performance in ballet, modern dance, and folkloric dance, Schwall explores the profound ways in which dance artists engaged with republican and later revolutionary politics. Drawing upon a wealth of written and visual archives, including captivating exchanges between dancers and bureaucrats, Schwall compellingly argues that Cuban dancers harnessed their bodies and ephemeral, nonverbal choreography to both support and critique political regimes and cultural biases.

As esteemed artists, Cuban dancers wielded significant power and influence. They frequently employed their art to advocate for more radical notions of social justice, surpassing the limitations of political leaders in implementing such change. Post-1959, while generally supporting revolutionary projects such as mass education and internationalist solidarity, they also ventured into risky territory by challenging racial prejudice, gender norms, and censorship, which directly impacted the lives and careers of dancers. On a broader scale, Schwall's work demonstrates that dance, often overlooked in histories of Latin America and the Caribbean, offers fresh and insightful perspectives on the complex dynamics of human movement and its impact on individuals and nations.

In conclusion, Elizabeth B. Schwall's exploration of the intersection of culture and politics through the lens of dance provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the complex dynamics that shaped Cuban society during the 20th century. Through her meticulous research and compelling analysis, Schwall sheds light on the ways in which dance artists used their art to both support and critique political regimes, challenge cultural biases, and advocate for social justice. Her work contributes to a broader understanding of the role of art in shaping political and social movements and highlights the importance of recognizing the diverse and dynamic ways in which dance can express and communicate complex ideas.

Weight: 640g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781469662961