Woman, Dancer, Self: Ballet as Transcendence

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Woman, Dancer, Self Ballet as Transcendence by Julia Jones

description

Classical ballet is a feminized art, and often reinforces oppressive gender norms. Young women are encouraged to take ballet, because the ballet dancer, in many ways, represents the ideal woman. She is graceful, beautiful, and wears pretty costumes. She is silent on stage, and is usually a loving companion to a prince, who lifts and supports her in a romantic pas de deux. She exemplifies the feminine, and exists for the viewing pleasure of her audience. Additionally, careers in choreography have traditionally been male-dominated, giving women less creative power. With all of this in mind, is it possible for ballet to be transcendent for women? Using Simone de Beauvior’s theory of self/other and mind/body dualisms, I consider the ways in which ballet both breaks and reinforces gender stereotypes, and what that means for the woman ballet dancer in terms of achieving transcendence. Ultimately, while the presentation of classical ballet does frequently cling to gender roles, ballet also gives women an opportunity to strengthen themselves physically and mentally, and can even provide a refuge from everyday sexism. It can, in fact, be a form of resistance and liberation for women.

Transcript of Woman, Dancer, Self: Ballet as Transcendence

Page 1: Woman, Dancer, Self: Ballet as Transcendence

Woman, Dancer, SelfBallet as Transcendence

by Julia Jones

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Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex

➢ Dualisms○ Mind/body, self/other,

transcendence/immanence➢ Gender roles hold women back

from intellectual pursuits.➢ “Humanity is divided into two

classes of individuals whose clothes, faces, bodies, smiles, gaits, interests, and occupations are manifestly different.”

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Can classical ballet be transcendent for women?

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Looking at classical ballet with a “feminist” lens

Gender roles➢ Dress➢ Gait➢ Body➢ Pax de deux

Disparities➢ Choreography➢ Race

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Dress

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Body

Gretchen Ward Warren, Classical Ballet Technique, 1990

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Choreography➢ Women are vastly

underrepresented among choreographers

➢ Margaret Fuhrer, Pointe: “Seen, Not Heard,” published 2012○ By the 1960s, companies became

more established and men took the lead

○ Fewer than 10 percent of works by major companies in the summer season of 2012 were choreographed by women

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Choreography

George Balanchine (1904-1983)“Man is a better cook, a better painter, a better musician, composer. Everything is man—sports—everything. Man is stronger, faster. Why? Because we have muscles and we’re made that way. And woman accepts this. It is her business to accept. She knows what’s beautiful. Men are great poets, because they have to write beautiful poetry for women. You see, man is the servant—a good servant.

In ballet, however, woman is first. Everywhere else man is first. But in ballet, it’s the woman. All my life I have dedicated my art to her.”

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Ann Daly, “The Balanchine Woman”

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Race

➢ Joselli Deans and Anjali Austin, “Where are all the black ballet dancers in America?”

➢ Dance Theatre of Harlem○ Founded by Arthur Mitchell

and Karel Shook in 1969○ Company went on hiatus in

2004 due to financial problems○ Have since restarted and are

touring!➢ Ballethnic

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Beverley Jones (1936- )“Since women in great measure are ruled by the fear of physical force, they must learn to protect themselves. Women who are able ought to organize and enroll their daughters in such courses. Compare the benefits young girls would derive from such courses with those they attain from endless years of ballet. as an extra added goodie, we could spare ourselves the agony of those totally untalented recitals, and later, the sleepless night worrying about our daughters’ safety.” - 1968

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Ballet’s feminist roots

Marie Camargo (1710-1770)

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The feminist aspects of ballet

➢ In some ways, ballet breaks gender stereotypes

➢ Ballet dancers as experts➢ Requires skill and strength➢ Combines art and exercise➢ Control of the body and

mind➢ Provides a space for

resistance and refuge

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Misty Copeland, American Ballet Theatre