photo: henry leutwyler
Recently, New York Magazine published a photo essay by Henry Leutwyler Behind the Curtain at the New York City Ballet. We can’t help viewing his image of a ballerina’s feet — one pointe shoe on, and one off — as a powerful metaphor for the often-hidden and difficult “inside” of a creative work that appears effortless and in control on the “outside”. The ballerina’s unadorned foot speaks volumes about the harsh realities, discipline, suffering and committment she (we) must sometimes experience to do what she (we) loves.
A number of people we showed it to thought otherwise.They saw a cruel and archaic art form that insists on defying the body’s natural movement, with painful consequences, for the sake of its particular brand of beauty…
photo: henri leutwyler
…
photo: henry leutwyler
What do you think?
photos: Henry Leutwyler
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I really resonate with your thoughts on the “often-hidden and difficult “inside” of a creative work that appears effortless and in control on the “outside”.” The image, no doubt, is a striking one.
At first I was surprised that people would be upset by this image but upon further reflection it does make sense. At the same time, while it can be a harsh art form, the dancer chooses to move and make shapes and continue moving. Can we call her a victim to “a cruel and archaic art form…for the sake of its particular brand of beauty?” I’m not sure.
Either way, I see this image as a powerful statement. What can be seen outwardly as an effortless creation, has often caused pain, in some form or another, to create it.
I have often thought of ballet dancers and tenors in a similar way—when it’s done well it is extraordinarily beautiful, but it’s not natural.
But so what?Many beauties in the world are not natural. Why should natural be the only measurement of achievement or beauty?
The physical condition of the dancer’s feet could be a metaphor for any artist’s work—there is a level of pain or extremis to be endured, either physical or psychological, which is hidden.
I don’t mean to be dramatic about it, but normal, well-adjusted people don’t usually have the NEED to go through what you must go through when you are any kind of artist. And that can include pain.
Personally, I’m glad I did it and I’m glad I’m onto the next phase—teaching.
I’m with you: “Many beauties in the world are not natural”…Thanks.
I think several years ago I might have thought the physical results of dancing en pointe cruel and archaic. But ever since I started taking aerials classes (trapeze, rope, silks), I am more sympathetic to the dancers and can understand why someone would choose do that to their feet. I routinely come home from my classes with rope burns and bruises and ridiculously sore muscles, and it’s just part of the process. It’s not exactly pleasant or “normal” to have a rope burn halfway around your waist or bruises on your arms that make your doctor ask you if your domestic situation is ok. But I don’t mind at all because it’s just part of something I love doing that is very physically challenging. I think it’s the same with dance- it’s partly the physical challenge of it and the “unnaturalness” that make it so beautiful and worth doing.
It’s a truly powerful photo. I love your interpretation, Sally, of what it says about suffering for one’s art, but I also think it’s a statement about the juxtaposition of surface and reality — a reminder that things are not always as simple as they may seem.
Whether it’s your coworker’s perfect figure, your friend’s perfect marriage, or your neighbor’s perfect child, things that look perfect, beautiful, and effortless on the surface are often supported by struggle and sacrifice.
You said it even more clearly: things are not always as simple as they seem. Thanks!
Sometimes the most worthwhile things we do in life are painful. Sometimes the best memories are accompanied by injuries. And, as we all know, beauty is pain. The blisters, bunions, bleeding and myriad ankle issues often make the sparkling moments of floating on your toes, or better yet in the air, sweeter and cherished even further. Ballet can be a metaphor for life, you may have to suffer, but if you work hard and push through pain some incredible dancing can come out of it that proves so priceless and life changing!