Monday 31 January 2011

The dark side of ballet....

Saw Black Swan with Natalie Portman on Friday; an intense few hours but well worth watching!   I found the themes fascinating especially around control and perfection, which is true for dance, visual art, writing, poetry; any art form.  Perfect technique only takes you so far.  At some point I think you have to let go and that's when the magic happens.  Easier said than done, but its that tension between control and spontaneity that makes a piece of work stand out.

The dark side of any art is often hidden from view.  Nina's toes are swollen and bloody and her psychological well being coming apart, yet on stage she appears graceful, sparkling and powerful.  

1 comment: