The Art of Ballet

The art of ballet started out as a fun dance for the wealthy and throughout history, has evolved into an elegant, world wide form of structured expression. From its beginnings in European cultures to its now widespread and diverse variations, ballet shows no signs of slowing down in popularity any time soon. Early ballet was influenced by the social dancing of its day, ballroom dancing. This art was born when the ancient Greek and Roman renaissance of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries took place, reviving an interest in all things human and the arts.The word â€Å"ballet† derives from the Italian word â€Å"balla,† meaning dance. In the Italian city-states of the fifteenth century, many â€Å"balli† meaning â€Å"dances† were held. The ballis involved specific steps that our generation would classify as ballroom steps. Ballet got much recognition when Louis XIV ascended to the throne of France. He came from an arts school where he studied the arts of f encing, music, and dance. His passion for dance was very serious. So serious in fact, that he established the Academic Royale de Danse in 1661, employing 13 ballet instructors.Another well –known founder of ballet is Jean-Georgeos Noverre, also known as the â€Å"Shakespeare of Dance†. He argued for a new, more expressive form of ballet. He created ballet d’action, meaning ballet with out instruments. The Romantic Period played a very important role in the development of women in ballet. This period began in the early eighteen-hundreds. The milestones accomplished within this time period included large female background dancers to accompany the prima ballerina, the lightening of female costumes, and women dancing en pointe.Dancing en pointe, turn out, and the basic five ballet positions exemplify ballet, and are now standard for all ballerinas. The next step on the road to modern ballet is the formation of classical ballet. While the first production of the ball et known as La Sylphide took place in Paris and most famous ballerinas of the day were still coming from Italy, the second half of the nineteenth century saw the axis of the ballet world shift from Western Europe to Russia. However, a Frenchman was responsible for this shift.Marius Petita created five of ballet’s greatest classics in the late nineteenth century: Don Quixote, La Bayadere, The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, and The Nutcracker, as well as restaging Giselle and La Coppelia. All of these classics share common similarities marking them as the trademarks of what is now regarded as the classical repertoire. They generally begin with group dances and evolved into complex stories between two or three main characters. The grand pas de deux, meaning big step for two, commonly begins with an adagio (slow, lyrical dance) between a male and a female dancer.The dance includes high extensions of the woman’s legs, multiple pirouettes, and big leaps forming a long straight line with the female’s legs in the air. Following the adagio is the allegro. This portion is merely a solo showcase of the male dancer’s ability and strength across the stage. An allegro for a ballerina features softer, yet intricate footwork and pirouettes. Finally, we have the coda, or finale, which reunites the dancers in an exuberant flourish. During that time period, three schools of classical ballet emerged.The French school is the oldest of the three. Known for its grace and elegance rather than its technical virtuosity, the French school was nevertheless held in high regard. The Italian school was known for its dexterity, difficulty of its steps, high leaps, and multiple turns. Lastly there was the Russian school. The Russian school was basically a hybrid of the prior schools. This school was held in high esteem due to its combination of serene elegance, breathtaking choreography, and the most complete and well-developed technique in all of ballet.The Russian b allet school slowly led the movement of ballet throughout the world and is responsible for how far ballet has grown. While Petipa’s traditional romantic style still held sway over Europe and Russia, Isadora Duncan, a freethinking American brought a completely new aesthetic to the stage. She believed in a more â€Å"anit-ballet† view of dance. She believed ballet was elitist and superficial. Duncan started a form of dance that was quite the opposite of what ballet was known for. This style of dance would be natural, free, and unbounded by rules.Duncan took her dancing on the road, touring through Europe and Russia alone, barefoot, and dressed in long tunics. The traditional aspect of her performance was the music she danced to, which was mostly Mendelssohn, Beethoven, and Chopin. She had many enemies, but with every enemy she gained, there were hundreds who thought her dramatic expression was lively and wquite enjoyable. Through the next few years, modern dancers began to fuse ballet with their own expressive movements. Also, ballet choreographers began incorporating modern techniques into their dances.As time moved forward, so did the swift evolution of ballet. Cultures took the basics and made it their own and by the late 1970’s , many classical ballet companies started incorporating modern steps into its repertoire and hiring modern choreographers to construct distinctive works on its own dancers. It is evident that as the world changes and its people continue to gain knowledge about their surroundings, the art of ballet will continue to spark interest and develop creativity in many people aspiring to gain the technique of the craft.

Internalization theory best explains CEMEX’s FDI Essay

1.Which theoretical explanation (or explanations) of FDI best explains CEMEX’s FDI? 1.Internalization theory best explains CEMEX’s FDI because CEMEX entered into many countries and bought domestic cement businesses instead of licensing. CEMEX has a great system and needs to protect it from competitors. 2.What value does CEMEX bring to a host economy? Can you see any potential drawbacks of inward investment by CEMEX in an economy? 1.The value is that CEMEX has a â€Å"Midas touch† that transforms a cement business into a thriving business. This brings great stimulation to the host economy and also helps in the construction field, which in turn helps to build cities and civilization. No, CEMEX would do well to invest inwardly, yet, CEMEX is better at acquisitioning businesses. 3.CEMEX has a strong preference for acquisitions over greenfield ventures as an entry mode. Why? 1.Acquisitions are solid because the business in the host economy already knows the demographics and the market. CEMEX just has to make the business better with little research. A greenfield venture would prove risky and not cost effective. 4.Why do you think CEMEX decided to exit Indonesia after failing to gain majority control of Semen Gresik? Why is majority control so important to CEMEX? 1.A licensing is very dangerous. CEMEX only have a 25% push with Semen Gresik. It did not have full control and the methods of CEMEX would be exposed and vulnerable to be stolen. CEMEX has a great system and does not want anyone interfering. 5.Why do you think politicians in Indonesia tried to block CEMEX’s attempt to gain majority control over Semen Gresik? Do you think Indonesia’s best interests were served by limiting CEMEX’s FDI in the country? 1.Indonesian politicians did not like the possibility of CEMEX taking over the cement market. Their interests were in domestic businesses and protecting the â€Å"purity† of their economy. No, Indonesia would have benefitted greatly if CEMEX was allowed an in. 6.What is CEMEX doing today? Do they still engage in FDI? 1.â€Å"MONTERREY, MEXICO- OCTOBER 8, 2010 – CEMEX (NYSE: CX), announced today that pursuant to the exercise of a put option by Ready Mix USA it will acquire its partner’s interests in the two joint ventures between CEMEX and Ready Mix USA which hav

Quantitative Summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Quantitative Summary - Essay Example Limited literature on the area provided scaffold for the conduct of a study investigating PTSD among children and adolescent victims of motor-vehicle related injuries. There were only three studies concerning PTSD in children who sustained motor-vehicle injuries, one on Swedish children aged 5-18 years, another on same-aged British youth, and one on American children 3-18 years old. A conceptual definition of PTSD was presented in the review of literature together with the psychological and physical symptoms and the length of persistence and recurrence. The literature also traced the origins of PTSD in combat-related experiences for both adults and children. Research evidence from the literature surveyed documented PTSD in children after being exposed to a variety of traumatic events such as witnessing a murder or destruction of property, or being a victim of kidnapping, gunshot, or natural disaster. As recounted by Zink and McCain, findings of researches undertaken from 1993 onwards revealed that traumatic injury in children from various causes resulted in melancholy, mood changes, attention deficits, decreased social activity, increased behavioral problems, lower scholastic achievement, increased hyperactivity, rage outbursts, intrusion, avoidance and hyper-arousal. The study was tailored based on a longitudinal descriptive design. Criteria specified for inclusion of subjects in the research were: English speaking child and parent/guardian, residence within a 60-mile radius of Cincinnati, and subjects with head injuries should have a Glasgow comma score greater than 8 to confirm their alertness and responsiveness. Children with mental retardation or hyperactivity disorder were not enrolled as subjects. Prior to the conduct of the study, approval was secured from the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center Institutional Review Board. A written consent from the parents of the subjects were also obtained,

Indian Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Indian Culture - Essay Example Both the first objects are an animation of the human race in the traditional leadership. The second set of objects represents Four-ram Fangzun Royal Tomb Hunan, China Shang Dynasty, late 2nd millennium BCE and the Reliquary Buddhist Stupa Bimaran, Afghanistan (Ancient India) Kushan Dynasty, early 3rd c. CE. While the previous one is made of Piece-mold Cast Bronze the latter is from Hammered Gold and semi-precious stones. They, therefore, differ in terms of texture due to the material used. The two objects are both symbolic hence are animated. The third object is a Buddha inscribed in a contrasting background, it is as well sculpted from Chunar sandstone and it is a symbolic representation of the worship culture of the Indians. The fourth and last set of objects is the inlaid mirror from a Lineage Tomb while the other is a bowl from Banpo, near Xian in China. While the mirror is a Piece-mold cast bronze with hammered gold and silver, the latter is painted with red earthenware. The objects are both from China and they are symbolic of the East culture specifically India and China. There is a common relationship that exists and is fueled further by the cultural similarities of the area where the objects are picked from which is India. The Indian culture is that which is integrated with mixed cultural symbols that extend to their places of worship and their gods. In fact, the Sun Dynasty or Solar Dynasty (SÃ… «rya-vaá ¹Æ'Å›a) is one of the most prominent dynasties in the whole of the Middle East historically. The dynasties influenced the political makeup of a region. The Buddha seated on the lion throne originates from India from the collections of the Buddhism Sculptures and carvings. The objects influence the sociological set up by being a representation of the Buddhist religion. The objects are artistic pieces of work that are curved with style showing a sense of appeal, which is achieved using technical skills (Sullivan 96-9).

Business Process Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Business Process Analysis - Essay Example The above-depicted model can be better analyzed with reference to Tesco, which possess similar components that entail ‘inputs’, ‘guides’, ‘outputs’ and ‘enablers.’ The inputs of Tesco in relation to the stated model can be better understood by ascertaining the involvement level of the suppliers with the company while procuring products. As illustrated above, enablers denote the functions of operations, manpower resources, group skills and innovation of products along with services. In this regard, Tesco adheres to this component of the model in the form of employing qualified as well as skilled personnel and also integrating advanced technological systems in its operational functions. The third element of the model is ‘output’, which involves selling products via physical outlets and online stores. Tesco conducts its business by offering its products to the customers by making them visit physical stores and also purchas ing the same through online. The final stage of the Burlton IGOE Model i.e. ‘guides’ lays stress upon introducing effective policies and regulations towards conducting business in an efficient manner. Tesco tries to ensure that proper governance is being followed throughout the organization with the introduction of several policies and standards associated with health and safety and human resource among others. The company focused on fulfilling its core objectives by maintaining an ethical code of conduct and evading negative situations.

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT - Essay Example eath penalty believe that the right of living for all people, even convicts and killers, is the basic human right that should be respected and so the death penalty should be replaced by other forms of punishments, such as life imprisonment. On the other hand, the proponents of the death penalty believe that it is important because it serves as a tool for deterring would-be criminals and murderers. Although the right of living for all people is the basic human right that should be respected, the role of the capital punishment in saving people’s lives and deterring would-be criminals and murderers is undeniable. Capital punishment is in the benefit of all humanity because it "affirms life." Executing the life of the criminal would preserve the rights of hundreds or even thousands of people because would-be criminals, murderers or terrorists would be deterred if they know that they may be punished via a death penalty. On the contrary, abolishing the death penalty may encourage criminals to commit any number of murders as they know that they will not be killed if they are caught. On that basis, the death penalty preserves and elevates the lives of human beings, while failing to kill a murderer or a terrorist is in fact a humiliation of the victim. This is asserted by many thinkers, such as Edward I. Koch, in his article which is entitled "Death and Justice: How Capital Punishment Affirms Life," who argues that when the justice system shrinks back "from justly punishing the murderer, the victim dies twice" (Koch). Moreover, capital punishment is vital for any justice system because abolishing it may encourage criminals to commit any number of murders as they know that they will not be killed if they are arrested. In that sense, the capital punishment preserves and elevates the lives of human beings, while failing to kill a murderer or a terrorist is in fact a humiliation of the victim. This leads many proponents to the capital punishment to argue that when the

Alex Ovechkin Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Alex Ovechkin - Research Paper Example Like most hockey players, Ovechkin found his love for the game at a very young age.   He was two years old when he first picked up a hockey stick  in Moscow department store. Whenever he saw a game on television he would drop what he was doing and not allow his parents to change the channel. He soon became obsessed with hockey and rarely missed a televised game. He was yearning to soak up every ounce of knowledge he could. His parents say they knew he would be an athlete when Alexander chose to run up the steps to their apartment rather than take the elevator. He began playing hockey at the age of 7, having been introduced to it formally by his older brother Sergei. In 1992, he started playing for Dynamo youth team. Unfortunately, most of the other players on his team had already been playing hockey for some time. Alex was especially concerned when the coach asked the team members to skate backward figure eights. He was not familiar with how to skate backward at all. But, his coa ch still noticed his enormous talent. During this time, Alex’s favorite team was Moscow Dynamo. His hero was Alexander Maltsev, the club ’s greatest star. Maltsev retired a year before Alex was born, but through stories and TV highlights, the boy decided that Matsev was his man. At one point, his parents were no longer able to get Alex to hockey so Sergei stepped in and made sure that he could get his little brother wherever he needed to go.   He was one of the first to notice the talent in Alex, and he wanted to be sure he was able to use it. Unfortunately, years later an event would happen that would change Ovechkin’s life forever.   His older brother Sergei, in his early 20?s at the time,  was tragically killed in a car accident.   To this day Ovechkin still credits his brother for introducing him to and pushing him to continue playing hockey.   Many say his passion for the game comes from this tragic event and to this day, when he scores, Alex will often kiss his glove and point to the sky in a salute to his brother. As Alex moved up the ranks of Moscow Dynamo’s competitive youth hockey program, he began to draw attention with his powerful skating and quick, accurate wrist shot. He was a hard worker and though very offensive-minded, he was a devoted team player. Alex could raise spirits with a goal, a pep talk or a good back-check. He had that extra dimension as a person and was a player who was clearly the product of a terrific sports family. Before becoming a professional, Ovechkin was already making a name for himself in the Dynamo Moscow  system when at 11 years old he broke Pavel Bure’s record of 53 goals by scoring 56 of his own. He began his professional hockey career at the age of 16 for Russian hockey power Dynamo Moscow  during the 2001-02 season.   By the time he was 18, he won the  Russian Superleague award for the best left-wing  in the league for the 2003-04 season and was the youngest pl ayer ever to lead Dynamo Moscow in scoring. This was his breakthrough. He netted 23 points in 53 games and was voted the Superleague’s top left wing. At first glance, his stats did not seem to warrant superstar talk, but this perspective soon changed. Comparisons to Ilya Kovalchuk, the Russian star drafted first overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in 2001, were inevitable. The two were indeed similar players, although Alex was a bit more of an end-to-end performer. Kovalchuk, by contrast, was never known for his