"Ballet is the last integral manifestation of the Renaissance spirit"
a) Based on what we have studied about dance in the Renaissance, what do you think this quote means?
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IV - Ballet as Ethnic Dance
It is good anthropology to think of ballet as a form of ethnic dance. Currently, that idea is unacceptable to most Western dance scholars. By ethnic dance, anthropologists mean to convey the idea that all forms of dance reflect the cultural traditions within which they developed.
a) Based on the statement above, say if you agree or disagree.
b) Explain why.
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V - Famous Ballets: Classical vs. Neoclassical vs. Contemporary
Classical ballet is any of the traditional, formal styles of
ballet that exclusively employ classical ballet technique. It is known
for its aesthetics and rigorous technique, its flowing, precise
movements, and its ethereal qualities.
Neoclassical ballet is the style of 20th-century classical ballet
exemplified by the works of George Balanchine. The term "neoclassical
ballet" appears in the 1920s with Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, in
response to the excesses of romanticism and post-romantic modernism.
Contemporary ballet is a genre of dance that incorporates elements of classical ballet and modern dance.
a)
Watch the videos bellow and identify which one of the ballets is classical, neoclassical or contemporary. Explain your choices.
Click on the link above and summarize the important of Ballet the Cour for the birth of ballet?
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IV. Video
Ballet Evolved - At the court of Louis XIV (3:06 min)
After this video, what would you say is the relationship between the turn-out in ballet and fencing in the French court of Louis XIV?
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V. Le Roi Danse
Le roi danse - Ballet de la nuit (1653) (3 min.)
Le Ballet de la Nuit, was a major ballet
de cour organized by Louis de Hesselin and first performed in the
Louvre's Salle du Petit Bourbon in 1653. Le Ballet de la Nuit was
notable for many reasons: most prominent among them was the involvement
of the young Louis XIV, who danced in five different roles, including
his most famous role as the Sun King, accompanied by chosen courtiers
and professional dancers, singers and acrobats.
After watching this video, which would you say was the function of ballet for Louis XIV and his court?
STUDENTS' WORK
Anastassia Cafatti
Orientation to Dance 130- Class 3/31- Ballet Five
Positions
I - Ballet Five
Positions: Video 1
a) Learn ballet 5 positions
b) Record your self using the five positions to create a movement
phrase. Post it on Discussion Board (10 min)
I have attached the
video to this email!
II - Video 2: Ballet Evolved: How ballet class has changed over the centuries
a) Write a brief reflection on ballet technique as you perceive it in
this video
III- LINK: "Ballet is the
last integral manifestation of the Renaissance spirit"
a) Based on what we have
studied about dance in the Renaissance, what do you think this quote
means?
I think this quote means that
Ballet was like the last taste of what the renaissance was like because after
the renaissance art changed and started becoming more modern. For example,
during the renaissance, as the book says, artists where very aware and focused
on the “many facets of the human form and landscape in space.” Ballet is all
about the human body in space, and being grateful and saluting the nobility.
Just like the art produced during the renaissance which did not have much
“intense expression” such as the Mona Lisa for example, classical ballet was
kind of like that. There was no expression of the face. The body moved in
geometrical shapes. It was more about the arm and leg movement than the body
moving together. After this time, ballet took off as it got influences from
other places and waves of literature and art becoming more expressive and
romantic. So that is why it is said in this quote that ballet is the last
integral manifestation because even if it has changed over time, in its core it
is the same. You can see the reflections from the renaissance come about
through this dance highlighting the graceful body in space. The renaissance was
all about the discovery of art, the body, and all of that is reflected in the
art, literature, dance, and culture of the time. A lot of this is reflected
through ballet to this day.
IV - Ballet
as Ethnic Dance
It is good anthropology to think of ballet as a
form of ethnic dance. Currently, that idea is unacceptable to most Western
dance scholars. By ethnic dance, anthropologists mean to convey the idea that
all forms of dance reflect the cultural traditions within which they developed.
a)Based on the statement
above, say if you agree or disagree. Explain
why.
a.This is a very hard question. I don´t have a clear stance.
I think I have to agree and disagree with the statement. I agree because I
believe ballet is a reflection of a cultural time period, of an era during the
renaissance. It came about and was danced in the courts and its technique
developed from the people of that time. For that reason, I do agree with the
fact that it has ethnic groups, however I feel like now a days this dance has
been expanded way past its original roots. In general, ethnic dances belong to
a group of people who keep practicing this dance in their community. For
example, African dances. However, I feel like ballet is different. It is such a
globalized dance. It has received so much influence from different dancers from
around the world, changing the way it is danced. Maybe the more classical ballet
does resemble the original dance, but it is so much more than an ethnic dance.
It is theatrical, danced by people all over the world. So yes, it started in a
single place with the cultural traditions of that place which still remain
today in the dance, but it has received influence from so may other cultures
and time periods around the world. It has been affected by different waves of
romanticism, modernism, etc.
V - Famous
Ballets: Classical vs. Neoclassical vs. Contemporary
a)Watch the videos bellow and identify which one of the ballets is
classical, neoclassical or contemporary. Explain your choices.
Video 3: Neoclassical
Ballet
This is definitely neoclassical because you can see the excessive
influence of romanticism and post-modernism. Movements are a little bigger that
those in classical dance. The outfits are definitely neoclassical, and the
story behind it as well is all about the couple. You can see a lot of the
elements of romanticism such as sharing more expression and emotion when
dancing. There is a celebration of nature and beauty. You can see this in the
costumes and style of dance.
Video
4: Contemporary Ballet
This video was definitely
contemporary ballet. There is a lot of mix with modern dance. There are a lot
of flips, jumping, and movements of modern dance. The whole body is included.
There is not a big a separation between the upper and lower body. The costumes
are also in accordance with the setting and style of dance. Movements are far
away from being classical or too light and airy and restrictive, they are more
grounded and exploratory of the body.
Video
5: Classical Ballet
This classic of ballet is
definitely dances in a very classical way. You can see the setting in the
gardens of a palace, with a well-defined story. Costumes are from the old
classical era of ballet. The movements are very precise, less big and wide than
more classical ballet. The dancers are very delicate with their way of moving
and telling the story.
After watching the video above, explain in detail the meaning of the word renaissance and why the cultural period Renaissance was given that name.
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II. Dance in the Renaissance
Please, click on the link below, read the article on dance during the Renaissance and answer the following questions:
LINK: (20 min)
The Renaissance world and the art dance What is the relationship between the Renaissance and Northern Italy? Which are the main differences between the Branle and the Morisca? When describing and comparing the dances of the nobility versus the dances of the peasants, which main words would you use?
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III. Video 1
The Majesty of Renaissance Dance (2:47 min)
Question: (5 min)
According to this video:
Why was dance so important for the nobility?
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IV. Video 2
Dance The Volta (1:33)
After watching this last video, you may understand why it is said that "in England in the late 16th century, Queen Elizabeth I gave dancing a further boost."
Question: (5 min)
Based on the article above, from the Encyclopedia Britannica, is the above statement true or false. Explain your answer.
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V. Renaissance in Spain and The Americas
Video 3 (4:24 min)
La Lupi - Fandangos
Question: 5 min
Please, click on the link below, read the article on fandango and briefly explain why this author and his book are clear examples of prejudice about dance. (Page 28)
