real ballet, real dance

Alessandra Ferri as Juliet. Photographer unknown

Endless photos of dancers in leg mounts/splits/backbends have saturated ballet-related hashtags on Instagram. I'm not just tired of it, I'm concerned. The power and influence of social media is undeniable, especially amongst the younger generation. Plaguing social media with misrepresentation of the art form is not just doing a disservice - it skews and even cheapens the public's perception of what ballet and dance really is, and engenders a warped set of values for young dance students. Ballet is ballet, just as contemporary dance is an entity unto itself (albeit in countless forms), for example, and both these art forms are a world away from gymnastics and other sports. But if you were to peruse one of these hashtags, you would see that there is confusion. 

There are of course some Instagram accounts that I follow with beautiful performance and studio shots but I wish these types of accounts weren't so scarce. There seems to be zillions of accounts which are focussed on more 'likes' and 'follows'. This is part of a broader concern of mine that in an effort to gain a sense of worth - and increasingly so in this fast-moving age of the internet and social media, through the dangerous trap of seeking out more likes - art is being quantified. Quantity, not quality. Quantifying art is of course impossible (the idea of scoring a performance out of ten baffles and enrages me - more about that in an upcoming blog): art is subjective and every one responds differently to its endless manifestations. That is the greatest thing about art - it is a true reflection of the diversity of humankind. 

I love that so many people are enthusiastic about ballet and dance; wonderful. But I would love to communicate to them what it's really about - not immediate results, more 'likes', winning competitions, boniest bodies, higher legs, bendy backs. Let's turn that enthusiasm into something healthier, and more fulfilling in inspiration.

So, I have an idea to address the imbalance, with photos of 'real' ballet. Photos highlighting the art, the emotion, the depth, the drama, the beauty, the humanness, the rawness, the joy ... DANCING, not posing. I plan on making this a regular feature on my Instagram, and I will also feature the photo here. Follow the hashtags #realballet and #realdance. 

I will kick things off with a photo of my inspiration to become a dancer: Italian ballerina Alessandra Ferri. This (above) is her as Juliet. I had this photo on my bedroom wall as a young student - my imagination and dreams captivated by the truth of her joy and effervescence. Until I saw her dance, when she guested with The Australian Ballet in Onegin, I had no idea that ballet could have such dramatic and expressive possibility. That is when the tune within me changed.

I had a video of an American Ballet Theatre gala in which she and Julio Bocca danced the famous balcony pas de deux from MacMillan's Romeo and Juliet. It was a very, very well-worn tape. Some ballet experts would criticise her classical technique in this photo - that her supporting leg is turned in, that her attitude leg is also turned in. I don't give a damn. To me, she is perfect. 

Please use the hashtags #realballet and #realdance on Instagram, or you can send me your favourite photos of real ballet or real dance either via Instagram message or even Twitter (both @julietburnett). Let's show the world the richness and integrity of the art of dancing! 

Oh, and if you follow any Instagram accounts that fit the bill, please share your suggestions in the comments below.

Thanking you all in advance!