“Affectations can be dangerous.” – Gertrude Stein
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Isadora Duncan (May 27, 1877 – September 14, 1927) was a dancer considered by many as a mother of modern dance who defied the current social and dance ideals. She favoured barefeet, flowing clothing, loose hair, and free form movements to the conventional ways. Her communist leanings and unconventional – some might say scandalous– love life made her a controversial figure as she was headlined in many a front pages.
She was bisexual, and alluded to her Communism during her last United States tour, in 1922–23; Duncan waved a red scarf and bared her breast on stage in Boston, proclaiming, “This is red! So am I!”
Born in the United States, she lived in Western Europe and the Soviet Union from the age of 22 until her death at age 50. She has since appeared in pop culture, including a 1968 film entitled Isadora, in which she was portrayed by Vanessa Redgrave.
She performed to acclaim throughout Europe. Duncan’s fondness for flowing scarves was the cause of her death in an automobile accident in Nice, France, on the night of September 14, 1927. The scarf was hand-painted silk from the Russian-born artist Roman Chatov. The accident gave rise to Gertrude Stein’s mordant remark that “affectations can be dangerous.”
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| Isadora Duncan dancing | Source |
