Sunday, January 24, 2010

Being Inspired by Others



"Dance is bigger than the physical body. When you extend your arm, it doesn't stop at the end of your fingers, because you're dancing bigger than that; you're dancing spirit."

--Judith Jamison

10 comments:

DB said...

When I was learning to draw at the Art Students League in New York, we sometimes had a model from the Ailey company. He could hold a pose with his arm extended for 25 minutes, an impossibility for almost any one. When I asked him how he could do it, he gave the same reply, that the arm kept moving out.

Judith Ellis said...

Ah, DB. thanks for that. I love the athleticism of the Alvin Ailey dancers, the line and strength of both men and women. Judith Jamison's book, Dancing Spirit is great! I read it many years ago and still flip through it occasionally.

Cinda said...

Love, love, love this. I am a closet dancer and big time dance fan. I was and am so inspired by the Ailey dancers as well as Jamison's work. Thank you for sharing this and helping me through the FUNK of the corporate debacle (definition, a sudden and violent collapse) as well as the new "sexy" (gag) senator. Although, not "sudden" given I have been reading about this displaced power for awhile now but who would have thunk it??

Judith Ellis said...

Cinda - It's good to see you and I'm happy that you enjoyed the video. I too love this company. Perhaps over that coffee in Seattle that we have spoken of I will share with you some of my experiences with this company and meeting Jamison. I'm with you on the "sexy 'gag' senator." I laughed aloud reading your words when I guess I should have cried. But what is there to do at this point, eh?

Bob said...

Beautiful post--it made my week, and it's only Monday. I'll have to find more about Ailey.

septembermom said...

Judith, you know how much I love dance! Thank you so much for this beautiful post :) My heart leaps with the images! Wish I could leap like that in real life. LOL.

Judith Ellis said...

Bob - I know how much you love dance! I'm so happy to introduce you to this great dance company! They're fantastic!

Judith Ellis said...

Yes, Kelly, I knew that you would particularly love this post. I thought of you as I posted it. Love to you, my dear friend. A hug too.

Opaque said...

Oh yes, I agree with this. I feel the same while I watch the Indian form of dancing. It is an extension of one's good self.

Judith Ellis said...

Ajey - I don't know much about Indian dance. But do post something here that we can enjoy. That would be great!