Figurative dance sculptures and art

 

 

Royal Dux Art Deco Porcelain dancers

Royal Dux Art Deco Porcelain dancers

 

 

Won-Lee dance sculpture - two slender figures

‘Caesura #4’   Won Lee

 

 

 

 Dance rhythms of life       

 

The body is blessed with agility, dexterity and above all rhythm. Only humans have the ability to be engaged (entrained) in rhythmically coordinated movement to an advanced degree. The desire to dance is universal and cross cultural and has permeated all world societies. Ancient tribes used dancing rituals for many important occasions, ceremonies and healing and attained bonding through their creative expression of movement. By integrating storytelling into these public displays of dancing, their history was reinforced and sustained into future generations. Most ancient tribes had specific and important dances for various coming of age ceremonies, weddings and funerals. Dance was performed as a form of ritual to call the spirits of their ancestors in order to establish a line of communication with them. They believed that dancing helped them to feel their ancestral spirits and enable direct invocation for the blessings and approval they were seeking.
The process of performing in rhythmic sync for a celebration and the use of costume and body decoration helped to unify the collective tribal spirit The rhythms, chants, drumming, and dancing all combined to create an uplifting, spiritual state for everyone involved. Sometimes, this led to elevated states of ecstatic trance which has been witnessed with whirling dervishes from Turkey, Moroccan hadra dancing, Orisha priestesses from Nigeria & Brazil and Shaman healers from the Kalahari. In the Middle East they believed that their dancing rituals served to reintegrate and balance the main powers of the human body with the same energy that supports the divine creative energy.

 

Xu Fei Hong dancing couple sculpture

Bronze dancing couple – Xu Fei Hong

 

According to Joseph Jordania, the development of the sense of rhythm was central for the achievement of the specific neurological state of the battle trance, crucial for the development of the effective defense system of early hominids.The elevated consciousness attained through their dance gave them more power and spirit to transcend fatigue and conquer their enemy. Some of its many manifestations through the ages has been the rhythmic war cry, rhythmic drumming by shamans, rhythmic tribal dancing before a battle, rhythmic drilling of the soldiers and even contemporary professional combat forces listening to the rhythmic rock music all using the ability of rhythm to unite human individuals into a shared collective force.
It was not uncommon for ancient tribal dancing to imitate the movements of their totem animals and birds, while wearing furs and feathers from these creatures. As birds and animals had characteristic movements, especially with their mating rituals, they had a wealth of material to draw upon. Prehistoric hunters performed dancing to honor their prey before killing them to receive maximum advantage from the flesh.

 

Rosenthal, white porcelain -Dancer-1923

Rosenthal Dancer, 1923

 

In some of the more esoteric dance performances, complex rituals are integrated into the dancing as evidenced in the use of distinctive hand movements and vivd facial expressions in the South Indian Bharatnatyam. Complete mythological epic tales are enacted, highlighted by the percussive stamping of feet in sync to the Tabla and Mridang drumming rhythm patterns. Lord Nataraja, one of the Hindu gods, is considered to be the master of this dance form. The Moroccan Gnawa music and accompanying dance also has detailed structure. ( see below)

The natural balance and grace of a dancer combined with the accompanying spirit, joy and emotion, provides a rich tapestry of subject matter for a visual artist. The capturing of dance performance is covered here with a focus on three artistic mediums – sculpture, photography and paintings.

 

Pearl-Primus dancing with two drummers Photo by Gjon Mili

Pearl Primus  – photo by Gjon Mili

“I dance not to entertain but to help people better understand each other. Because through dance I have experienced the wordless joy of freedom, I seek it more fully now for my people and for all people everywhere”.  – Pearl Primus

 

 

 

Marc-Bellaire ceramic drop vessel with tribal dancer

Mid Century tribal dancer vessel – Marc Bellaire

 

 

AncientBoeotian Terracotta statue .. dancer

Boeotian Terracotta statue of a dancer

 

 

 

'Dancer'-by-Gerda-Gerdago sculpture figurine bronze

Constructivist Art Deco ‘Dancer’  by Gerda Gerdago

Iconic Snob Galeries

 

 

 

Edourad Cazaux Baluster-vase

Baluster vase with dancing carnival characters – Edouard Cazaux

 

 

Giovanni-Ronzan belly dancer figurine

Giovanni Ronzan belly dancer figurine, Torino, Italy

1940’s

 

Josef-Lorenzl-Gold Art Deco sculpture dance figure

Josef Lorenzl Gold Art Deco dance figure

1930

 

 

Jitka-Palmer-ceramic cup with dancing

Jitka Palmer

 

 

MichaelGustavson-Autumn Dancer abstract sculpture ceramic vessel

Michael Gustavson – ‘Autumn Dancer’

 

 

Janos Torok Mid Century dancers vase

Janos Torok Mid Century dancers vase for Zsolnay

 

 

 

‘Afro Cuban Dancers’ – Miguel Covarrubias

 

 

 

D.H.Chiparus Art Deco Dancer Bronze Sculpture Statue Figurine--Thai costume

D.H.Chiparus Art Deco Dancer Bronze Sculpture Statue Figurine

 

 

 

‘It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)’ 1939

Meet Me At The Savoy! Photo Series

 

 

 

Dustin Yellin. New York City Ballet-Art Series. February, 2015. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Dustin Yellin. New York City Ballet-Art Series.

February, 2015. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

 

 

 

A-Girl-from-Mexico female dancer

Movie – ‘A girl from Mexico’, 2012

 

 

 

Harem-Dancer-Sculpture-by-Van-de-Voorde in bronze

Harem Dancer Sculpture by Van de Voorde

 

 

Gustavo Pujalte, Esquina Tango A couple dancing the tango on the street

 

Gustavo Pujalte, ‘Esquina Tango’

 

 

 

Dance of Beauty – Parian – Gaylord Ho

Fascination Fine Art

 

 

art-deco-dominique-alonzo-danseuse-egyptienne-statuette

Dominique Alonzo –  ‘Danseuse Egyptienne’

 

 

Edouard Cazaux daceing female figurine

Edouard Cazaux

 

 

 

Guy Portelli_small_tango_sculpture of a dancing couple

Guy Portelli – ‘Small Tango’

 

 

Tongues (Holy Rollers) –  Archibald Motley – 1929

Chicago History Museum

 

 

 

Gnawa musicians and leaping dancer

Gnawa dance

The mluk are evoked by the seven musical patterns, seven melodic and rhythmic cells (Um) which are repeated and varied, set up the seven suites that form the repertoire of dance and music of the Gnawa ritual. During these seven suites are burned seven different incense and veils or shawls of seven different colors are used to cover the dancers. Each of the seven mluk is accompanied by many characters (mluk or Djins) recognized by the music and by the footsteps of the dance. These entities are treated like “presence” (Hadra) that the consciousness meets in the altered state of consciousness (Hal), are related with mental complexes, human characters or behaviors. Some of the most known spirits amongst the Gnawa group are: Lalla Mira, Lalla Aicha, and Sidi Mimoun are usually related to places like rivers or seas.

 

Copyright 1998-to current date by Gilded Serpent, LLC

 

Eva-Antonia Ballerina sculpture in bronze

‘Ballerina’ – Eva Antonini

Adhikara

 

Vase with dancers-in-bluish-white-tones-bubbled-with-fountains-gushing-dark-blue.Edourad-Cazaux

Jazz Age ovoid vase with a hemmed collar and dancers in bluish-white tones bubbled with fountains gushing dark blue – Edouard Cazaux

Circa 1935-1940

 

 

 

(B) Ballet on the Beach (c)NYC64813 – Philippe Halsman

 

 

Blue_Dancer_2-Alexander-Archipenko - sculpture of a female dancer

‘Blue Dancer 2’ –  Alexander Archipenko

 

 

‘Hot Rhythm’ – Archibald Motley – Jazz Age modernist

 

 

bronzestatue of a male and female calypso dancers

Bronze statue of Caribbean dancers

 

 

 

Jazz Age plate by Viktor Schreckengost

Jazz Age plate by Viktor Schreckengost

 

 

Dakkar street dancing by Frank-Horvat

Frank Horvat – Dakkar street dancing

 

 

 

Ballroom-Dancers-Mixed-Media-Hand-Painted-Iron-Wall-Sculpture-by-Primo

Ballroom Dancers Mixed Media Hand Painted Iron Wall Sculpture by Primo

 

 

 

Aaron-Douglas drawing of black dancers

Aaron Douglas

 

 

 

Dancer-and-the-dance-by-John-Safer-Stylized stainless steel sculpture

‘Dancer and the dance’ by John Safer

 

 

 

Dany-Jumg wood sculpture

Dany Jumg

 

 

Demêtre Chiparus, “Les Girls” c.1930

 

 

Eds-Dance_Hans-van-de-Bovenkamp - abstract metal sculpture

‘Ed’s Dance’ – Hans van de Bovenkamp

 

 

Ernie-Barnes painting of a dancing couple

Ernie Barnes – ‘The Dancing Couple’

 

 

 

Gerdago---Silver Dancer----1920

Gerda Gerdago—‘Silver Dancer’— Austria 1920

 

 

 

Goldscheider-Figure-Model-5775-designed-by-Lorenzl

Porcelain dancing couple – designed by Lorenzl for  Goldscheider

 

 

 

Dance of Life sculpture - Dancing circle of women arm in arm

‘Dance of Life’ sculpture – Bradanovic Agid Lucy

 

 

 

Rene Lalique-Crystal-Two-Nude-Dancers

Rene Lalique frosted glass ‘Two Nude Dancers’

 

 

Granada-Gypsies dancing Granada gypsy with guitar players

Granada Gypsies playing guitars for a Gypsy dancer

Photograph by Dmitri Kessel

 

 

 

silvered-bronze-Draped-dancing-lady

Silver bronze Art Deco dancer with drape

 

 

 

Kolaramma-Temple carved stone dancing lady

Kolaramma Temple at Kolar, relief of dancing women at the mahadwara (main entrance)

 

 

 

Gyuri Hollosy

 

 

 

passionate tango dancing couple

Tango dancers

 

 

 

Joy Of The Dance - D.E. McDermott Lady dancing sculpture in black

‘Joy Of The Dance’ – D.E. McDermott

Sioux Falls

 

 

‘/y4
Marie-Madeleine-Gautier-French-sculptor LES DANSEUSES BALINAISES

‘Les Danseuses Balinaises’ – Marie Madeleine Gautier

Artisandart

 

 

Maurice-Guiraud-Riviere-art deco figure sculpture - naked green man with a gold turban

Maurice Guiraud Riviere – art deco figure sculpture

 

 

Nathan-Brutsky cubist abstract man and woman dancing

Nathan Brutsky

 

 

Niki-de-Saint-Phalle-Les_Trois_Graces Three buxom women dancing

Niki de Saint Phalle – ‘Les Trois Graces’

 

Paige Bradley - 'Summer' =nude female sculpture

Paige Bradley – ‘Summer’ 

 

Georgy-Kurasov painting of female dancer with tamborine

 

Georgy Kurasov

 

 

 

Erte Firedancer art deco figure sulpture

Erte – ‘Firedancer’

Patinated and cold painted Art Deco sculpture

Circa-1990

 

 

Pawaya temple relief of female musicians and a dancer

Relief of court dancer from Gupta era, Pewaya, Madhya Pradesh

 

 

leaping Pearl Primus

Pearl Primus

“The dance is strong magic. It transforms the body into liquid steel. It makes it vibrate like a guitar. The body can fly without wings. It can sing without voice. The dance is strong magic. The dance is life:”. – Pearl Primus

 

sculpture of a female dancing by Dorothy Brook

‘Rain Dance’ by Dorothy Brook

 

 

 

Richard-MacDonald-sculpture of two dancing sisters

Richard MacDonald sculpture – Sisters Quarter Life from the Joie de Vivre Suite

 

 

Keith Calder--layback_male_dancer

Lay Back Male Dancer – Keith Calder

 

 

 

Richard-MacDonald blaaet dancing sisters

Richard MacDonald

 

 

 Gypsy dancing -by Kurt Hielscher

 Gypsy dancing by Kurt Hielscher

Spain 1914-1919

 

 

mark_yale_harris_dance_me_to_the_end_of_love_l dancing couple sculpture

‘Dance me to the end of love !’  – Mark Yale Harris

 

 

 

Rogier-Ruys two female abstract damcers

Rogier Ruys two female abstract dancers desktop sculptures

 

 

Şatrova Natalia

 

 

 

 

The Lindy Hop1936 by Miguel Covarrubias

‘The Lindy Hop’ by Miguel Covarrubias

1936

 

Outdoor sculpture of a dancing cople -- Tango by Larry Young

 ‘Tango’ by Larry Young

 

 

 

 

Egyptian Dancer in a Tent, by Willem de Famars Testas, 1863, Dutch Painting, watercolor.

Egyptian Dancer in a Tent, by Willem de Famars Testas, 1863, Dutch Painting, watercolor

 

 

 

Svetlana Belyaeva photo of a dancer in the forest

Svetlana Belyaeva photography

500px

 

 

 

Violetta---Nathalie-SEGUIN-female sculpture

‘Violetta’  —   Nathalie Seguin

 

 


House Music with dance sculptures – Tikyo feat. Barbara Tucker The B Crew _Back 2 Love Richard Earnshaw Remix

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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2 Comments

  1. Marinalva
    Posted June 3, 2017 at 9:11 am | Permalink

    é muito bom saber e conhecer gestos dançante, tipo de exercício muito envolvente.

  2. Robbie I. Hood
    Posted June 4, 2017 at 2:30 pm | Permalink

    translation – It is very good to know and learn dancing gestures, kind of exercise very engaging.

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