New Republic: The International Olympic Committee recently voted to restore wrestling to the Olympic Games in 2016. One activity that’s never been put before the committee: ballet. Despite its physical similarities to gymnastics, ice-skating and ballroom dance, most ballet dancers would bristle at the suggestion that it's a sport—and yet, many ballet teachers and directors have embraced Olympic-style competitions in which aspiring dancers compete for gold, silver and bronze medals, scholarships, contracts and even cash.
5 comments:
This is an interesting point. I have never thought of ballet as a sport, but I can see the author's point. The rise of competition has influenced everyone in our generation and in today's society. It is a shame that something that used to be viewed as an art is starting to turn into a competition. I can't think of anything else that is facing this type of problem right now. Most other art forms, while still active in the competition world (KCTFA, for example, as well as Tony and Jeff Awards, etc.) still maintain their main focus on the art.
I personally wouldn't consider ballet a sport, but I see how they draw their conclusion of how it could be compared to a sport. The author is trying to make a valid point that ballet is booming more of a competition of out doing on another rather than pleasing the audience. The article referenced the movie "First Position", which I saw a couple years back. This film showcases the physically and mentally demanding lives of young ballet dancers. Because ballet is becoming lass popular than what is use to be, the demand for well rounded performers and dancers is becoming harder. There is more pressure on the dancer to perform well and get the part over all the other competitors. Ballet would never become an Olympic sport, but the author does shine light on the competitive "sport" side of ballet.
I do not know how I feel about that the article expressed. Both sides of the argument I can see. What qualifies as a sport? as a art? Are football players a type of performance artist? Baseball? Hockey? Sports are judged primarily on the team, but a player is judged/paid on his performance. Is a ballerina any different? People sometimes talk about the soul of the game, is there a soul of ballet? Can each thing have their souls taken away? No idea.
I've often viewed dancers as a special breed of athletes. In my undergrad I took a class on the Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries and my instructor and I spent that class identifying the injuries and how to adapt athletic injury support to the dance world. It was probably one of the best classes I've ever taken and it's a great knowledge base to have. I think of dancers as a special breed of athletes because they'll punish their bodies just as much as athletes but will still perform with these injuries and stresses on their bodies. I don't necessarily like the idea of competitions for these dancers but I would like to raise the awareness of how skilled it takes to perform at a professional level.
I understand why ballet could be considered a sport, you definitely have to be an athlete to be a ballet dancer.
However, I think that ballet is so much more than a competition for gold, silver and bronze.
It is true that dance competitions have become popular however I think that putting ballet into the Olympics is to go too far.
Dance is foremost an art form and you cannot really judge an art form. I feel like it is very American to turn everything into a competition and it's sad that art forms are becoming competitive as well.
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