Find a copy online
Links to this item
Find a copy in the library
Finding libraries that hold this item...
Details
| Material Type: | Internet resource |
|---|---|
| Document Type: | Book, Internet Resource |
| All Authors / Contributors: |
Kenneth Laws |
| ISBN: | 0195144821 9780195144826 0195149165 9780195149166 |
| OCLC Number: | 46703102 |
| Description: | xix, 236 p. : ill. ; 26 cm. |
| Contents: | Introduction. Role of physical analysis -- Physics of dance -- Value of analysis to dancers -- Value of analysis to observers -- Analysis for teachers and health professionals -- Communication : words, images, and photographs -- Balance. Condition for static balance -- Regaining balance -- Balance while rotating -- Final look -- Motions without turns. Acceleration from rest -- Motion in a curved path -- Stopping horizontal motion -- Vertical jumps -- Connections between horizontal and vertical motions -- Grand Jete "floating" illusion -- Effect of turnout on traveling jumps -- Landings from jumps -- Dance floors : elasticity and friction -- Final leap -- Pirouettes. Torque and rotational momentum in a pirouette -- Controlling rotational velocity -- Characteristics of pirouettes -- Arabesque turn -- "Illusion turn" -- Grande piroutte -- Fouette turns -- Repeated pirouettes -- Final turn -- Turns in the air. Demi-fouette -- Tour jete (grand jete en tournant) -- Saut de basque -- Turning assemble -- Tour en l'air -- Final leap -- Pas de deux. History and appeal of the pas de deux -- Who's responsible for what? -- Physical interactions between partners -- Balance --Accelerating motions -- Final poses-- To the next step -- Mechanics of partnered turns. Starting a supported pirouette -- Balance during a supported pirouette -- Stopping rotation -- Other supported turns -- Final turn -- Mechanics of lifts. Straight lift -- Other front lifts -- Overhead lifts -- Other lifts -- Catches -- Final thrust -- Effects of body size. Height of a vertical jump -- Entrechats -- Horizontal accelerations and body size -- Body size and pirouettes -- Adagio movements -- Body size and partnered dance -- Effects of body shape -- Final comparison -- Step into the future. |
| Responsibility: | Kenneth Laws ; photographs by Martha Swope. |
| More information: |
Reviews
Publisher Synopsis
<br>"[L]ucid, friendly, and to the point. Laws obviously knows his ballet as well as his physics...This book will surely have immense value to dancers...[F]ascinating to see physical principles applied in such practical detail to positioning the human body in the beautiful and abstract movement of the ballet."--Physics Today<p><br>"[T]his volume provides clear explanations of the physical laws that describe the way nature controls balance, leaps, pirouettes, lifts, and turns; the effect of body size on ballet technique; and the relationship between the science and dance...Excellent photographs and diagrams illustrate the text. Providing a new understanding of the application of physics to ballet that results in better and safer performances, this valuable resource is accessible to students and general readers as well as dance scholars, faculty, and professional dancers."--Choice<p><br>"Physics and the Art of Dance should be read by all dancers, choreographers and dance teachers. Dance artists and dance scientists will delight in the new information. The puzzlers at the beginning of each chapter motivate the reader to find logical answers. Photographs by Martha Swope are elegant; the tables and glossary are excellent. This book will be required reading for all my students."--Janice Plastino, University of California at Irvine<p><br>"Ken Laws seems to me to be an important ambassador coming to dance from the world of science. He is our interpreter and all his explanations of the physical laws are informed by, and infused with, his great love of dance and dancers." --Francia Russell, Pacific Northwest Ballet<p><br>"Which came first, gravity, human rhythmic movement, Newton's laws of motion, classical ballet, an understanding of the physics of dance, or an appreciation of the aesthetics of ballet? Which one? And does it matter? Ken Laws in this most remarkable book juxtaposes all the concepts above resulting in a clarification, enhancement and appreciation of the beauty Read more...
