Asher.p2.t1.Contemporary Era

Asher.p2.t1.Contemporary Era

by Calvin Chan, Brianna Loo, Christina Yang, Jane Lu 

Pop culture is the “mainstream” interest of the younger generation that appeals to the majority of the population. Often times, pop culture is held to represent unorthodox and non-traditional aspects of modern society.

In dance, pop culture influences the movements of the dancers, often causing “loose” dancing. Freestyle and fluid movements are incorporated to connect the entire human body (physically and mentally). In terms of structure… well there is no defined structure. Pop dancers pale in comparison to traditional ballet dancers who live by strict rules and techniques.

Pop culture music is also very unique. It is rather “interpretive”, and does not follow any traditional chord progressions or traditional forms. A lot of contemporary compositions are often polytonal (consisting of many different key signatures) or atonal (having no specific key signature) and integrate many polyrhythmic patterns. For example, contemporary string orchestras incorporate non-traditional instruments and use traditional instruments focused on avant-garde interpretation.

The contemporary era is defined by the resistance of conformity. The idea of “no rules” IS in fact the rule of the contemporary era. This paradoxical truth is the phenomenon that society has adopted because of the contemporary zeitgeist: to break free of traditions and nourish individualism.