“He who only knows his own generation always remains a child. » This quote from George Norlin echoes the edification that cultural exposure can offer. What is the relationship between African dance and modern dance? The two are so heterogeneous in their composition that one would not think they have any similarities. The truth, however, is that all dance forms are related in one way or another; they all strengthen and sharpen each other. Modern dance has its roots in African dance and emphasizes the relationship between weight and gravity. Brenda Dixon Gottschild cites five aesthetics present in African dance. One particular piece that draws attention to the relationship between the five aesthetics and modern dance is “Split Sides,” choreographed by Merce Cunningham. In the piece, the dancer is very distinctive and powerful in his movements. He often occupies asymmetrical positions, a quality resulting from the balance of ephebism. Ephebism is one of the five African aesthetics that applies vitality, power, flexibility, dynamism and attack in its movements. Holding the different positions requires great strength and demonstrates an endurance that is similar to the strength and endurance necessary for the long hours during which African dances take place. Certainly, the stamina and strength required for African dances requires a much longer building period, however, training one's body to hold and maintain an unnatural position is no easy feat. In addition to this characteristic of ephebism, the movements of the dancer's arms throughout the piece adhere to an attack like jerks or sudden movements and further reinforce the component of ephebism by creating the youthful movements to which the word ephebism is correlated. The flexibility of this dance piece is seen as a dramatization...... middle of paper ......re of different dance cultures in the vocabulary of their scope, then the results would be so astonishing that they would give that dancer an unspoken quality that sets them apart from their peers. Knowledge of movement is cultural knowledge and remembering that every culture is beautiful and different in its own way can help create a dancer that will resonate with any audience member. Works Cited “Split Sides.” dancecapsules.mercecunningham.org. Dance capsules. Internet. November 15, 2013. Cunningham, Merce, dir. Merce Cunningham Dance Company at BAM: Split Sides. Perf. Silas Riener. BAM Organization, 2003. Web. November 15, 2013. Smith, Sophia. “The Africanist Aesthetic in American Dance Forms.” sophia.smith.edu. Np, April 13, 2012. Web. November 15, 2013. “George Norlin (1871-1942). » ucblibraries.colorado.edu. University Libraries, University of Colorado at Boulder. Internet. November 15 2013.