Textiles in Motion: Dress for Dance in the Ancient World

Dress is an essential element of dance, providing information about the culture, society, and sociological effects of a group of people. This volume explores new perspectives and insights on ancient dances and their ancient textiles, focusing on the movement design, sensory experience, gender and identity, re-enactment, and reception. The chronological range is from the 3rd-millennium BC to the 5th-century AD, with a broad geographical definition to promote a comparative, interdisciplinary approach and cross-cultural dialogue.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2022
Publisher: Oxbow Books

Dress holds a central place in the realm of dance, intricately adorning dancers, delineating diverse roles, and evoking symbolic expressions that can either unite or divide people. It serves as a powerful communicative tool, offering invaluable insights into the dance itself, the culture it represents, and the sociological implications of a group of individuals. Beyond its visual allure, dress transcends mere appearance to delve into the deeper meaning conveyed. Regrettably, studies in ancient dance have often overlooked the significance of clothing.

To address this gap, this volume presents fresh perspectives and insights into ancient dances and their ancient textiles. By examining ancient dance through the lens of dress, scholars gain a deeper understanding of the art form, and research on ancient dress is enriched by its relationship to body movement and performative rituals, further integrating an anthropological and sociological dimension into historical analyses of ancient textiles. For the first time, dance studies and costume studies are interconnected through an innovative approach, fostering a two-way exchange of knowledge.

The book explores various issues related to dress in dance, including the design of dress for dance, its sensory experiences, gender and identity, re-enactment, and reception. The chronological scope of the book spans the ancient world, from the 3rd millennium BC to the 5th century AD, with a broad geographical definition to encourage a comparative, interdisciplinary approach and promote cross-cultural dialogue.

In conclusion, dress plays a vital role in the world of dance, transcending visual aesthetics to convey profound messages and meanings. By exploring the relationship between dress and ancient dance, this volume contributes to our understanding of the art form and its cultural significance. It opens new avenues for research and dialogue, fostering a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of ancient textiles and dance.

Dimension: 280 x 216 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789257984