11–20 of 28 posts
There are a number of physical impositions placed on ballerinas. They are expected to have a small head, a long neck, small breasts, narrow hips and thin, graceful limbs. Mutilation of the feet to complete the illusion is simply part of the package...
Two things that I recall:
Some of the girls already had arthritis.
Some of the girls expressed concern that if they developed the muscles that support dance (if I remember correctly it was specifically the hamstrings that were being discussed) it might result in a figure that was considered negative for a ballerina.
It is tragic that ballet requires such physical sacrifice, because it is such a beautiful art form.
It would still be beautiful without the pointe. For some reason, in many activities, people tend to go to the greatest lengths for even the smallest gains... ballet without pointe would still be ballet, I think non-experts like me would barely notice if they stopped using those - yet all ballet dancers sacrifice their feet for that perhaps last 2%. Why isn't there any ballets that just don't use pointe? Perhaps there…
Why isn't there any ballets that just don't use pointe?
They're probably quite happy seeing Swan Lake or The Nutcracker or Romeo and Juliet - iconic, traditional works. Nothing wrong with that, of course! But a ballet watcher will almost certainly recognise pointe well before they encounter a work less than 30 years old.
I disagree. Yes, it does require sacrifice, but no more really than any high level athletes. I think a lot of unhealthy ideals in the dance world are/have changed. Unfortunately, Balanchine was responsible for many of the worst tendencies in the ballet world, e.g. an obsession with skinniness and complete disregard for dancer's mental health.
Now, though, dancers are also rightfully seen as athletes, strength is seen as beauty, and much more attention is paid to their mental and physical health. Yes, ballet movement is unnatural, but it can be done in a way that doesn't destroy someone's body (and mind).
Still the most fun girl to dance with, though, when she can manage the pain.
Just responding to some of the comments here about how ballet is "tragic" in that it requires such sacrifice of it's dancers. I disagree. Yes, it does require sacrifice, but no more really than any high level athletes. I think a lot of unhealthy ideals in the dance world are/have changed. Unfortunately, Balanchine was responsible for many of the worst tendencies in the ballet world, e.g. an obsession with skinniness…
There are a number of physical impositions placed on ballerinas. They are expected to have a small head, a long neck, small breasts, narrow hips and thin, graceful limbs. Mutilation of the feet to complete the illusion is simply part of the package...
Fortunately Misty Copeland has changed that somewhat.
Just responding to some of the comments here about how ballet is "tragic" in that it requires such sacrifice of it's dancers. I disagree. Yes, it does require sacrifice, but no more really than any high level athletes. I think a lot of unhealthy ideals in the dance world are/have changed. Unfortunately, Balanchine was responsible for many of the worst tendencies in the ballet world, e.g. an obsession with skinniness…
One difference with other athletes is that, as with gymnasts, dancers have to start really early in their childhood (because they peak earlier than other sports, due to the kind of preferred body type), so you are asking a sacrifice to a 9-12 year old that in most sports is not required until 13-18 or whatever, at an age where many things are decided for them by their parents instead of by them.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
One difference with other athletes is that, as with gymnasts, dancers have to start really early in their childhood (because they peak earlier than other sports, due to the kind of preferred body type), so you are asking a sacrifice to a 9-12 year old that in most sports is not required until 13-18 or whatever, at an age where many things are decided for them by their parents instead of by them.
Not to take away from your comment, but I wanted to highlight another sport that requires similar sacrifice at an early age, which is the male dominated sport of F1 racing. Many top drivers are the result of training and competing at 7-8 years of age in kart racing. I would say they "peak" later than a ballerina/gymnast but require the same early sacrifice to be a top athlete.
It is tragic that ballet requires such physical sacrifice, because it is such a beautiful art form.
It would still be beautiful without the pointe. For some reason, in many activities, people tend to go to the greatest lengths for even the smallest gains... ballet without pointe would still be ballet, I think non-experts like me would barely notice if they stopped using those - yet all ballet dancers sacrifice their feet for that perhaps last 2%. Why isn't there any ballets that just don't use pointe? Perhaps there…
It's a show-off / machismo thing. In our own field I'd relate it to the culture of extreme workaholism. If you are working 100 hour work weeks you are almost certainly not being productive for anywhere near that many hours unless you are on drugs, and that's sustainable for at most a week or two before you crash hard. In my experience people who claim that kind of loony work week are usually lying. The only exception seems to be natural manic personalities, but that mutation comes with its own set of serious drawbacks.