Dance costume
A dance costume is the clothing worn by a
When created for a specific work, a costume may be designed to expose or enhance the lines formed by the dancer's body, or to express the
History
In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries,
Design
Material
The amount of light a material absorbs and reflects may be a factor in material selection. Also, dance is about movement, so the way a fabric hangs or moves on the dancer is important.
Color
Costume color can be used isolate a dancer, and a costume's colors usually contrast with the lighting, accessories and props used in the dance.[5] Also, color can influence audience emotions and, as a result, costume colors may be chosen according to their relevance to the emotions expressed in the dance. For example, violet may impart a cold feeling and red may evoke a warm feeling.[3] Colors can also be symbolic; for example, green creates a feeling of envy and white evokes purity.[2] Costumes will sometimes incorporate layers of colors that are revealed when the dancer moves.[2]
Costume colors may be used to enhance body line and form, and they may be chosen to complement the dancer's body shape or skin color. Darker colors can make the dancer appear slimmer, whereas lighter colors tend to make the dancer appear larger.[4] Loud prints or bold color combinations are often avoided as they can distort the body lines and, in the case of tights, tend to make the dancer look larger.[1] Also, strong, intense colors may tire the eyes.[3] Color transitions are often implemented using gradients, as sharp color contrasts tend to visually chop the body into sections.[4]
Texture and pattern
Costume texture and patterns can emphasize or minimize parts of a dancer's body. For example, vertical lines visually lengthen and thin the body, and horizontal lines shorten and widen it.
Footwear
Some dance styles require a specific type of
Construction
Dance costumes are designed so that dancers can move in them as required without damaging them. For example, if a dancer will be lifted, the costume will typically be designed in such a way that the lifter's fingers are unlikely to catch on it. In some cases, the armhole is cut unusually high to ensure free movement at the
Costumes frequently have special construction features and may also have accessories such as false sleeves, collars, cuffs, wristbands, and shawls.
References
- ^ a b c d Penrod, James (2004). The Dancer Prepares: Modern Dance for Beginners (5th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
- ^ a b c Dance: the Art of Production (3rd ed.). Princeton Book Co. 1998.
- ^ a b c d e A Guide to Dance Production "on with the show". National Dance Association of the American Alliance for Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance. 1981.
- ^ a b c d e f g Cooper, Susan (1998). Staging Dance. A&C Black.
- ^ a b Ellfeldt, Lois (1971). Dance Production Handbook, or, Later is Too Late (1st ed.). National Press Books.
- ^ Joiner, Betty (1937). Costumes for the Dance. A. S. Barnes.
External links
See also
- Ballet costume (in French)