In ballet, the term refers to the longest line one can make with the body. It is supported on one leg with the other extended behind the body. The arms can be extended in several positions which have different names depending on the school. Creating the long beautiful arc in an ideal arabesque requires a lot of flexibility in the back and hips as well as back and core strength. Arabesque you are beautiful and we love you!
Not a French purebred, this word is well traveled and has morphed in meaning over time. I may be a bit biased, but think if Arabesque had a zodiac sign it would be a Pisces; a fish swimming where ever the current takes it and maleable like the water. Arabesque traveled from Islam to Italy and throughout Europe. While it's specific meaning has changed slightly to adapt to it's new homes, it usually refers to some form of art that has a vine like quality, with many circular intertwining lines.
In ballet, the term refers to the longest line one can make with the body. It is supported on one leg with the other extended behind the body. The arms can be extended in several positions which have different names depending on the school. Creating the long beautiful arc in an ideal arabesque requires a lot of flexibility in the back and hips as well as back and core strength. Arabesque you are beautiful and we love you!
1 Comment
Moira
2/23/2012 03:54:33 am
Love arabesque! Just wish mine were prettier!
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Term of the weekFor people who are complete beginners to ballet, it can all be a little overwhelming. You are asking your body to do things that are completely foreign and you're asking your brain to work in a completely different way. On top of that your instructor is spitting out terms you have never heard before. Even for people who have been dancing a long time and hear the terminology every day from your teacher, you may never learn what all the different terms mean. Most ballet terms are derived from the French language. I am going to post a ballet term each week with it's meaning and a little bit about it. I am no ballet god so I am hoping that if any of my ballet nerd friends have anything to add, or disagree with anything I say, that they chime in and leave a comment. To be honest, with teaching ballet twice a week and only taking it about once a week I feel the vocab slowly slipping away from me. Not only is the purpose of this to educate others, it is meant to help me to keep up with what I feel is important to know. I am using Gail Grant's Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet as a source for the direct translations and or definitions. Archives
February 2012
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