Art WK 3 The Performing Arts and Inspiration. Essay

Ballet and African Dance
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Ballet is a popular type of dance that originated in the 15th century. Today, it has become one of the most technical forms of dances. Ballet has its own vocabulary based on French terminology. It also has various foundational techniques that are used in other dance genres. Ballet primarily consists of the music and choreography for a particular production. It is performed and choreographed only by trained and experienced ballet dancers. This form of dance was first introduced by Italians. Noblemen and women used to perform it during high profile events, such as wedding ceremonies and birthday parties. In those days, both dance and music were quite simple. In the 16th century, an Italian (Catherine de Medici) started funding ballet in the French court along with her husband (King Henry II of France). Their elaborate festivals helped grow ballet de cour. This program consisted of unique dance forms, decors, costumes, songs, poetry, and music. In the 17th century, ballet gained a lot more fame when King Louis XIV called it a standard form of art. By the 19th century, classical ballets like La Sylphide and Giselle were created. The Romantic Movement influenced the fields of art and music, and different themes like magic and supernatural power were reflected in the performances of ballet dancers.
African dance is a specific type of Sub-Saharan African dance that has gained popularity across the world in recent years. One of the best parts is that different traditions and cultures have long influenced their movement and musical styles. African dance primarily utilizes the concept of body articulation. This is known to teach local cultural and traditional values as well as social patterns to both the audience and dancers. Members of a community perform African dance during festivals, competitions, recitations, and even funerals. Every dance has its distinctive origin and forms, and just like other forms of...