A look at ballet as an art form and the demands ballet has on the ballet dancer.
Essay # 75071 |
1,680 words (
approx. 6.7 pages ) |
6 sources |
APA | 2006
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Abstract
This paper takes a look at the history of the art of ballet, as well as reviews the different types of the ballet dance and the strenuous demands that ballet makes on the dancer. This paper also covers various dance choreographers and their particular styles of dance.
From the Paper
"Classical ballet celebrates the potential harmony of the human body, the utopian ideal of collective endeavor, the possibility of the interchange between masculinity and femininity. Something of this is what has recommended ballet to the communisms of the USSR, Cuba and China. Beneath the aristocratic tat of the settings and the charming but dispensable never-never of the stories, there is an implicitly socialist vision.
Yet classical ballet must of course always come wrapped in the specifics of where and for whom it is performed, what other values and meanings it is attached to, and these are riven with contradictions. In practice, in Britain, classical ballet is, at one and the same time, elitist and popular, and woman-centered, heterosexist and part of gay male culture, universal and distinctly white. It is all of this at once.
It is selective in part because it is expensive. Not only are sets on a grand scale and not only do most of the classics require large casts, but behind all that there are the years of investment in training. "
Tags:classic, contemporary, music, movement, body, graceful, steps, tippy, toes, france, italy
Talks about the extremely difficult criteria that must be met in order to become a master of ballet.
Essay # 51093 |
1,343 words (
approx. 5.4 pages ) |
5 sources |
MLA | 2004
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$ 27.95
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This paper gives an overview of the physical, social, emotional, and financial hardships that a professional ballet dancer must endure throughout his or her career.
From the Paper
"One of the hallmarks of good ballet dancing is the seemingly effortless grace of the performers. Particularly, the high-level dancers of a ballet company elevate movement to an art in motion, almost in defiance of the laws of gravity, and in direct distain to the limitations of the average human body. For these "prima ballerinas," balance, range of motion, and control of muscle, borders on the miraculous "for to see them execute a grand jete (a running, jumping split), or a flawless grand battement (a kind of controlled kick), can conjure nothing short of slack-jawed awe."
Tags:dedication, natural, ability, long, hours, physical, pain, career, dancer, art, balance, symmetry
This paper provides an overview of the history of ballet and looks at the BalletNY dance company.
Research Paper # 94354 |
1,909 words (
approx. 7.6 pages ) |
11 sources |
MLA | 2007
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$ 36.95
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Abstract
Describing ballet as a classical dance form characterized by grace and precision of movement and elaborate formal technique, the writer of this articles presents a history of ballet. The writer looks at the BalletNY company and notes that BalletNY has become a well known and respected dance Company. The writer discusses BalletNY's principal dancers. The writer concludes that the New York City Ballet has done what BalletNY hopes to do, acquire one of the largest, most faithful, intelligent, and enthusiastic audiences in the American theater world.
Outline:
Humble Beginnings
The Emergence of Ballet
Opra Ballet
Liberation Ballerina
Social Change
A Decline In Interest
The New York City Ballet and BalletNY: Full Circle
Bibliography
From the Paper
"Formerly DanceGalaxy, BalletNY was founded in 1997 by former New York City Ballet Principal Ballerina Judith Fugate and International Guest Artist Medhi Bahiri. BalletNY is comprised of accomplished principals and soloists who have danced with leading American and international ballet companies such as New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Dance Theater of Harlem, and the Joffrey Ballet, among others."
"Judith Fugate is a former principal ballerina with the New York City Ballet. She has danced roles in virtually every ballet in the NYCB repertoire counting Peter Martins and Mikhail Baryshnikov among her many famous partners. In 1997, she left the New York City Ballet Company to purse a career as a freelance Guest Artist and Co-Artistic Director of what is now known as BalletNY."
Tags:performance, classical, choreographers, dancers
This article looks at the history of the National Ballet of China. The paper also discusses the history of the Chinese dance form.
Case Study # 74717 |
1,318 words (
approx. 5.3 pages ) |
7 sources |
APA | 2006
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$ 26.95
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Abstract
The writer looks at the National Ballet of China and its history. This article also studies the form and history of dance in China. The writer describes how the objective of the National Ballet of China is to introduce to the Chinese audiences Western classical ballets and contemporary ballet works. The National Ballet also aims to explore the unique and possible fusion of classical ballet and the Chinese culture. The author explains that in 1957, the classic "Swan Lake," was performed on stage and signaled the formal entry of the ballet form into the country. The paper glances at recently produced successes and at how the company experiments with different modern styles.
From the Paper
"One of the world's top 10 ballet companies, the National Ballet of China was founded on December 31,1959 (CCTV 2005, Orange County 2005) and has, in the past four decades, consisted of generations of striving and gifted artists. The dance company has turned out outstanding artistic achievements in Western and Chinese classical and contemporary ballet. It had rough and tough times too as when it was under-funded and its members became over-aged. Its only reward was art itself and its artists continued to devote themselves to their career to become the pioneer in China's unique ballet style."
Tags:style, artist, dancers, company
An analysis of the problems of eating disorders among dancers as opposed to non-dancers.
Analytical Essay # 59505 |
2,070 words (
approx. 8.3 pages ) |
6 sources |
MLA | 2004
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$ 39.95
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This paper discusses eating disorder patterns among ballet dancers and non-dancers. The paper examines what anorexia is and presents the causes of anorexia and the reasons that it is seen so much in ballet dancers as opposed to non-dancers. The paper explores the impact of ballet dancing on children with respect to eating disorder patterns and identifies whether any difference is seen in the frequency of eating disorders in professional ballet dancers and non-professional ballet dancers.
From the Paper
"Anorexia nervosa is a growing psychological and physiological disorder in the society of today. A surprisingly large number of people are affected by eating disorders, the major cause of which is anorexia nervosa. The cultural ideals especially of the western world cause young women to believe that they should maintain thinner bodies than intended by nature. This causes them to alter their eating patterns and this leads to eating disorders like anorexia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa is most prevalent in young girls from the upper middle classes and generally between the ages of eleven to eighteen. Anorexia nervosa is fatal in about twenty percent of the cases and this is the reason for concern. Psychiatric assistance is able to help about thirty percent of anorexics to overcome the disease. A person is considered as anorexic if the body weight of the individual is twenty percent less than the normal weight of a healthy person of that age and height."
Tags:anorexia, bulemia, diet
An analysis of the techniques employed by Edgar Degas in his painting "Dancers in Pink."
Term Paper # 94044 |
1,379 words (
approx. 5.5 pages ) |
8 sources |
MLA | 2007
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$ 27.95
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This paper analyzes the painting "Dancers in Pink," painted by Edgar Degas in 1878. The paper describes the compositional structure of the painting and how it appeals aesthetically to the viewer. The paper then goes on to discuss the synthesis between form and color in the entire work and how they enhance the overall painting. The paper concludes by describing the use of paint and the technique of paint application, as well as Degas' choice of hues and tones.
From the Paper
"This experimentation with painting technique can be seen in the different method of paint application work. Some areas in the dresses of the two main figures are thinly painted, possibly diluted with turpentine, while others seem to be more impasto-like in their quality. It is the use of washes over thick paint that, especially in the skin tones, provides the feeling of tactile sensuality. It seems as if the pink and orange has been painted over an underlayer of flesh tones, which can just be seen beneath the rich folds of the dresses. The brush strokes also vary throughout the painting, with smoother and crisper brushwork in the dresses and figures and rougher, more 'sketchy' brushwork in the background and in the smaller figures."
Tags:aesthetic, tactile, ballet
A biography of the life and career of the American dancer, Isadora Duncan.
Essay # 27789 |
1,572 words (
approx. 6.3 pages ) |
4 sources |
MLA | 2002
|
$ 30.95
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Abstract
This paper reviews the life of the artist, dancer and teacher Isadora Duncan born in 1878 and discusses her contribution to American dance. It examines how Isadora Duncan is largely credited with establishing what we now know as modern dance and how she infused the accepted dance modalities of her day with ideas old and new. It analyzes how Duncan's attitudes and approaches came from her native America and how these ideas involved a stress upon unfettered athleticism for both men and women. Duncan wished to develop the body's capacity for jumping, stretching and expressing emotions rather than pure excellence and form in isolation.
From the Paper
"Thus, although she lived and traveled extensively in Europe, it is important to remember Duncan's origins in the United States and subsequent influence upon American dance's cavalier attitude towards formulaic traditions. "Born in 1878 in San Francisco, Isadora Duncan grew up in a childhood filled with imagination and art. Her mother introduced her four children (Isadora was youngest) to classical music, as well as Shakespeare, poetry, literature and art. Isadora spent many hours playing and dancing upon the beach, and even taught dance classes to younger children as a way to earn a little extra money for the struggling family. In her teenage years, Isadora traveled to Chicago and New York with some of her family members, working and performing in various productions such as Mme. Pygmalion, Midsummer's Night Dream or vaudeville shows with limited success."
Tags:ballet, modern, dance, tradition, art
A biography of Michel Fokine, the father of modern ballet.
Descriptive Essay # 117955 |
1,326 words (
approx. 5.3 pages ) |
4 sources |
APA | 2009
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$ 26.95
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Abstract
This paper gives an overview of the life and achievements of the Russian dancer Michel Fokine, who is credited with reviving the art of modern dance in the 20th century. The writer explains that Fokine brought back classical principles to ballet in areas that he felt they were eroding or receding, and sought to recover the true authenticity and expression of ballet thereof. When Fokine joined the Maryinski Imperial Ballet in 1898, ballet was focused mainly on leg . Fokine, an all-round artist who painted and played music as well, worked on full-bodied choreography and developed five principles of ballet which emphasized the harmonization of music scenery and dance. The paper concludes that Fokine recognized, embraced and revived the needs of cultural expression inherent to any art form, and successfully readapted them to the art of dance that is ballet.
From the Paper
"What we see here is that Michel sensed the commercialization of dance, leading him to seek to represent the character of the nation through expression in dance as opposed to just costuming and ornamentation. He asserted his philosophy of movement in ballet this in a letter to the London Times in 1914 that according to what he called "Five Principles," attempts should be made to harmonize music scenery and dance (Michel Fokine, 2008). He applied this philosophy to the choreography of the body of his works at Maryinski and then the Ballets Russe Russian ballet."
Tags:classical, Anna Pavlova, artistic tradition innovation interpretation gymnasticism
This paper explores the body mechanics involved in all phases of the ballet leap, called the Jete.
Essay # 8765 |
1,825 words (
approx. 7.3 pages ) |
4 sources |
MLA | 2002
|
$ 35.95
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Abstract
The paper describes kinesthesiology as a branch of physics dedicated to the physics involved in movement. It shows that several scientists of note contributed to this field including Aristotle, who applied geometry to the acts of walking, running and jumping. The paper describes that as a dancer moves across the stage force is transferred from one element to another. This paper explores the body mechanics involved in all phases of the ballet leap, called the jete.
Table of contents
Introduction
Phases of the Jete?
Analysis of the Muscles Involved
Analysis of the Injuries Prone to the Movement
From the Paper
"The landing phase of the leap is by far the most dangerous. If the body is not positioned properly to absorb the impact, injuries could be extensive, particularly if they cause a fall. Every part of the body is at risk in a fall situation. Injuries could be more severe involving broken bones, especially in the ankle and foot of the leading leg. If a fall is involved bruising could result."
Tags:Marie, Camargo, plie, Rectus, femoris, Gravity, Strains, dance
An analysis of jazz, ballet and studio dancing, as well as the requirements for professional dancing.
Term Paper # 96960 |
1,809 words (
approx. 7.2 pages ) |
7 sources |
MLA | 2007
|
$ 34.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses various mediums of dance. It looks at jazz, ballet and studio dancing and discusses the discipline, rhythm and music used in each form of dance. The paper also discusses professional dancing and describes the training that is necessary, salaries that dancers can expect and the challenges of professional dancing life, such as expenses and injuries.
Table of Contents:
Jazz
Ballet
Studio Dancers And Dance Teams
Professional Dancers
From the Paper
"The average salary that a dancer earns is $21,000. That means 50% of all dancers earned less, down to $14,570 and 50% earned more, up to $34,660. Dancers on tour earn additional allowances for room and board and overtime. Dancing is considered a part time job and is irregular. Supplementing income may be made by working as guest artists with other dance companies, teaching dance or taking a part-time job in unrelated fields. The dancer signs a contract to work. Union contracts govern those who perform in public, such as major opera ballet, classical ballet or modern dance corps. These belong to the AFL-CIO and those who appear on live or videotaped TV programs belong to the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. Those in films and on TV belong to the Screen Actors Guild and those in musicals are members of Actors' Equity Association. Through the unions minimum salaries, hours, benefits and other conditions are specified before the dancer signs the contract (Munger 5)."
Tags:techniques, performers, competition