Physics and the Art of Dance: Understanding Movement

Kenneth Laws

ISBN 10: 0195149165 / ISBN 13: 9780195149166

Published by Oxford University Press, 2005

About this Item

Unread store shelf copy with just a hint of wear to covers. Includes bibliographical references and index. Machine generated contents note: 1 Introduction z -- The Role of Physical Analysis 4 -- The Physics of Dance 7 -- The Value of Analysis to Dancers o -- The Value of Analysis to Observers -- Analysis for Teachers and Health Professionals 14 -- Communication: Words, Images, and Photographs 6 -- 2 Balance 8 -- Condition for Static Balance zo -- Regaining Balance 24 -- Balance while Rotating 2z -- A Final Look 31 -- 3 Motions without Turns 34 -- Acceleration from Rest 36 -- Motion in a Curved Path 40 -- Stopping Horizontal Motion 42 -- Vertical Jumps 43 -- Connections between Horizontal and Vertical Motions 47 -- The GrandJete "Floating" Illusion 47 -- The Effect of Turnout on Traveling Jumps 49 -- Landings from Jumps 5 -- Dance Floors: Elasticity and Friction 56 -- A Final Leap 59 -- 4 Pirouettes 62 -- Torque and Rotational Momentum in a Pirouette 66 -- Controlling Rotational Velocity 69 -- Characteristics of Pirouettes 71 -- The Arabesque Turn 72 -- The "Illusion Turn," 75 -- The Grande Piroutte 76 -- Fouette Turns 78 -- Repeated Pirouettes 8I -- A Final Turn 8z -- 5 Turns in the Air 86 -- The Demi-fouette 88 -- The TourJete (GrandJete en Tournant) 91 -- The Saut de Basque 94 -- The Turning Assemble 97 -- The Tour en l'Air 98 -- A Final Leap oo -- 6 The Pas de Deux Io2 -- The History and Appeal of the Pas de Deux 104 -- Who's Responsible for What? Io -- Physical Interactions between Partners I 1z -- Balance 113 -- Accelerating Motions 118 -- Final Poses 19 -- To the Next Step z12 -- 7 The Mechanics of Partnered Turns 124 -- Starting a Supported Pirouette 1z6 -- Balance during a Supported Pirouette 132 -- Stopping Rotation 134 -- Other Supported Turns 36 -- A Final Turn I39 -- 8 The Mechanics of Lifts 142 -- The Straight Lift 145 -- Other Front Lifts 5I -- Overhead Lifts 5 -- Other Lifts 59 -- Catches 62 -- A Final Thrust 62 -- 9 The Effects of Body Size 164 -- Height of a Vertical Jump 66 -- Entrechats 170 -- Horizontal Accelerations and Body Size 172 -- Body Size and Pirouettes 172 -- Adagio Movements 73 -- Body Size and Partnered Dance 74 -- Effects of Body Shape 175 -- A Final Comparison 175 -- 10 A Step Into the Future 178. xix, 236 p. : ill. ; 26 cm. 256 pages. Dance--Physiological aspects, Ballet dancing--Physiological aspects, Human mechanics, Biophysics.

Seller Inventory # 072195

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Physics and the Art of Dance: Understanding Movement
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication Date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0195149165
• ISBN 13: 9780195149166
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: Very Good
• Dimensions: 9.8W x 0.8H x 7.8D inches 9.8 inches width by 0.8 inches height by 7.8 inches depth
• Weight: 27 ounces
• Seller catalogs:
  • Dance

About this title

Synopsis

Written by a physicist with professional dance training, Physics and the Art of Dance explains how dancers can achieve better, safer performances through an understanding of physics in motion. Using simple, non-technical terms, Kenneth Laws combines his knowledge of both physics and dance to describe how the laws of gravity, momentum, and energy affect dancing bodies. The book explores the natural laws that govern the subtleties of balance, the techniques of leaps and pirouettes, and the impressive lifts and turns executed by ballet partners. Finally, Laws offers insight into two current discussions in the dance world--the effect of body size on ballet technique, and the relationship between science and the art of dance.

Beautiful, original stop-action photographs by Martha Swope, along with clear diagrams, illustrate the concepts described in the text. Plus, an intriguing "puzzler" at the beginning of each chapter provides an engaging entrée into the topics presented. For those who want a more advanced understanding of the physics, extensive appendices are provided.

This new book combines the best features of Laws's widely acclaimed The Physics of Dance and Physics, Dance, and the Pas de Deux by Laws and Cynthia Harvey. Its expert application of the basic principles of physics to the art of dance will be an invaluable resource for dancers and dance instructors and will open a new level of appreciation for lovers of the form. It will also appeal to physicists who seek to include the arts in their scientific pursuits.

About the Author

Kenneth Laws is Professor Emeritus of Physics at Dickinson College. He has been active in the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and has instructed Dickinson students in ballet throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He is the author of two books about physics and dance and is the leading expert on the subject.