1. Marshall Cohen’s “Primitivism, Modernism and Dance Theory” and Heinrich von Kleist’s “Puppet Theatre” Simone Maduro & Micah McMillan Edited by: Dr. Picart and Donna Gallagher 17 May 2004

2. Aims To discuss Marshall Cohen’s views on popular theories of primitivism and modernism To discuss von Kleist’s presentation of marionettes and dance

3. Key Terms Primitivism— Modernism— Gesamtkunstwerk—

4. Summary of Cohen… Primitivism (Langer) Cohen’s take on this theory

5. Cohen, cont. Modernism (Levin and Greenberg) Cohen’s take on this theory

6. Discussion questions: What does Cohen say about the existing theories regarding dance? Why does he say this?

7. Summary of von Kleist Puppets as dancers Puppeteer as choreographer Value of emotionless entities in dance/art

8. Discussion questions: Does von Kleist suggest that ignorance is bliss? What is the alternative to ignorance, in relation to attaining “grace” in movement? Would Cohen classify von Kleist as a primitivist, modernist, or neither? Why?

9. Works Referenced Cohen, Marshall. “Primitivism, Modernism and Dance Theory,” in What is Dance? Roger Copeland and Marshall Copeland, Eds. Oxford University Press, NY. 1983. 161-177. von Kleist, Heinrich. “Puppet Theatre,” in What is Dance? Roger Copeland and Marshall Copeland, Eds. Oxford University Press, NY. 1983. http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/tr http://dictionary.reference.com/