After a lot of research I have found that one reason the stereotypical dancers body is so dominant with regards to how people see dancers is because of the late George Balanchine.
George Balanchine was a legendary choreographer with
the New York City Ballet and during the 1950’s Balanchine popularised the aesthetically stereotypical body type.
Balanchine’s dancers had to be tall, thin and
willowy, many people believe that his
obsession with the aesthetical lines and the ‘perfect’ body has caused many of
the current pressures that dancers are put under to look a certain way. This research in to Balanchine has given my inquiry more depth and new questions have emerged. |
| George Balanchine and his company dancers.https://balletwithbecca.weebly.com/home/unpopular-opinion-balanchine-ruined-ballet
I hope this encourages you to have a thorough look in to the history of your inquiry topics as you may find more questions!
Millie x
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This was an interesting read. I have never before thought about where the sterotype came from. I always assumed that dancers were thin because they trained so hard. But of course we all come in different shapes and sizes. The idea that 1 person could be responsible for such a big thing that has shaped (excuse the pun) the way we strive to look today as dancers is thought provoking. x
ReplyDeleteI know! Before this cropped up during my research I had never thought about it this way! It has definitely created more in depth discussions within my inquiry!
DeleteHi Millie, I found this post really interesting and it has encouraged me to go back again and look further into the history of my inquiry topic. I have found it is fascinating to see where it all began and helps to give some context into your inquiry topic. Hope it's all going well with you. Becky x
ReplyDeleteHi Millie, this is a fascinating post! I would be interested to know, as this was in New York, how far his influence has spread? It has clearly had an impact on us here in the UK. Is it the same in other countries around the world? I understand in different cultures, different body shapes are seen as more 'attractive' is this the same in those cultures in dance? I hope your inquiry is going well! Sam x
ReplyDeleteHi Sam, I believe his influence was spread all over the world. However as times are changing now, I feel that companies in America are becoming more and more accepting of different body types. I hadn't thought about different cultures around the world and whether their attractiveness is the same within the dance world, I will look in to it! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, I hope your inquiry is going well too!
DeleteMillie x