Dancing Mestizo Modernisms: Choreographing Postcolonial and Postrevolutionary Mexico

This book explores how national and international dancers have contributed to Mexico's cultural politics and notions of the nation at different historical moments. It emphasizes how dancers and other moving bodies resisted and reproduced racial and social hierarchies from colonial Mexico. It also examines how dance and other forms of embodiment participated in Mexico's formation after the Mexican War of Independence, the Porfirian dictatorship, and postrevolutionary Mexico. The book proposes and develops two main concepts: embodied mestizo modernisms and transnational nationalisms, which challenge assumptions about racial neutrality and suggest that national identities are shaped by historical transnational forces and (dancing) bodies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 01 February 2024
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

This captivating book delves into the intricate tapestry of Mexico's cultural politics and national identity, shedding light on the profound contributions of national and international dancers throughout history. It emphasizes the ways in which dancers and other moving bodies have resisted and reproduced racial and social hierarchies that emerged from colonial Mexico (1521-1821). Through extensive archival research, choreography as an analytical methodology, and theories of race, dance, and performance studies, author Jose Reynoso examines how dance and other forms of embodiment played a pivotal role in Mexico's formation after the Mexican War of Independence (1821-1876), the Porfirian dictatorship (1876-1911), and postrevolutionary Mexico (1919-1940).

In this comprehensive exploration, the book uncovers how underlying colonial logics continued to shape relationships among dancers, artists, government officials, critics, and audiences from diverse backgrounds as they reimagined their racial, social, cultural, and national identities. The book proposes and develops two central concepts that delve into these mutually formative interactions: embodied mestizo modernisms and transnational nationalisms.

Embodied mestizo modernisms refers to the fusion of indigenous, folkloric, ballet, and modern dance practices in works choreographed by national and international dancers with diverse racial and social backgrounds. The book argues that these mestizo modernist dance practices challenged assumptions about racial neutrality, which historically underpinned white supremacy in constructing Mexico's national identity. It suggests that notions of the nation-state and national identities are not solely shaped by the natives of a nation but also by historical transnational forces and the embodied experiences of dancers.

Through its rich analysis and compelling insights, this book offers a fresh perspective on Mexico's cultural history, illuminating the ways in which dance and other forms of embodiment have played a vital role in shaping the nation's identity and politics. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in exploring the complex interplay between dance, culture, and society.

Weight: 426g
Dimension: 235 x 155 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197622568