5, 6, 7, 8...
YGL Gallery invites you to lace up your dancing shoes and explore the artistry of movement.
Welcome to the YGL Gallery where you’ll find a curation of artworks, articles, and items that orbit around a common theme. Allow me to hang your coat while you waltz through the rooms below. Please enjoy the show and visit again soon!
5, 6, 7, 8…
Today’s gallery is a collection of expressive movements, traditional techniques, and the joyful, athletic, beautiful art of dance.
At the age of nine, after many unsuccessful attempts at placing me in sports, my parents signed me up for a beginner tap dancing class. Much to their delight, not only did I finally make it through a season of extracurricular activity, I eagerly awaited each lesson for the next decade to come. The studios turned into a home away from home and the community had become my extended family. Dance saw me through my mother’s passing, my first breakup, the hardships of high school, and everything in between. It was a way for me to process feelings without having to sit down and talk about them. For better or worse, the stage was the most thrilling place I had ever known, and somewhere I felt completely free. Although it’s been many years since I’ve entered a studio or stepped onto a stage, I still hold memories of dance close to my heart. May the wonderful images of today’s exhibit move you in many ways.
*This article is full of photos, you might need to hit “view entire message” if you’re reading in a browser. Please note: the gallery exit is located at the end of the hall through the gift shop.
Entering the Main Gallery
“The higher up you go, the more mistakes you are allowed. Right at the top, if you make enough of them, it’s considered to be your style.” – Fred Astaire
“The truest expression of a people is in its dances and its music. Bodies never lie.” - Agnes de Mille
“To live is to be musical, starting with the blood dancing in your veins. Everything has a rhythm. Do you feel your music?” – Michael Jackson
A look in the Display Case
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's handwritten score for the opening of 'Swan Lake' (1875) - Ink on paper.
Fred Astaire’s Tap Shoes (1930) - Suede and leather with metal taps.
Ostracon of an Egyptian Dancer (1292–1076 BC) - Painted limestone.
Ancient Greek Cup with Dancers (580-560 BC) - Painted terracotta.
Anna Pavlova Statue atop the Victoria Palace Theatre, London (1911). Crafted by Frank Matcham with gilded bronze.
Artist in Residence: Edgar Degas
Edgar Degas was a French sculptor and impressionist born in 1834. He is most known for his work capturing the dancers of the Paris Opéra Ballet. He made regular visits to the theatre and committed these experiences to memory—which he later recreated in his paintings. He was often allowed backstage and even had access to private rehearsals, allowing him to capture the effort and emotion of the dancers. In total, Degas painted over one thousand works of dance throughout his life—making him the perfect artist in residence for this exhibit.
“Only when he no longer knows what he is doing does the painter do good things.” - Edgar Degas
One of Degas’ most famous works is his sculpture of a young dancer (shown above) hailed for its uncanny realism. Degas originally sculpted this in 1881 with a tinted beeswax—but it has since been replicated to a bronze casting statue—preserving its quality and life. I would love to visit this work of art in the Metropolitan Museum of Art someday!
Curators at The Met have replaced the fabric skirt at least three times since they obtained possession. This beautiful behind-the-scenes footage from the most recent tutu project in 2018 is very inspiring and full of neat artsy facts.
Degas’ famous tutus have also inspired modern dancers like Misty Copeland. Back in 2016, she brilliantly recreated several of Degas’ most famous works for an exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art (shown above). Original paintings by Degas are shown on the left and photographs of Copeland by Ken Browar & Deborah Ory are displayed on the right. “Trying to re-create what Degas did was really difficult,” states Copeland. “It was amazing to notice all the small details and how he allows you to feel like there's movement.”
From the Gallery Archives
Sixteen cultural dances from around the globe.
These kids always bring the fun.
Ann Reinking on her life as Bob Fosse’s muse, lover, and friend.
A few of my favourite dance moments in film:
“Don't dance for the audience; dance for yourself.” - Bob Fosse
Exit Through the Gift Shop
I’ve selected items for those who grew up on the stage, are regular theatre goers, or simply want to embrace the balletcore movement. Enjoy!
This cute speaker.
Handmade ceramic mug.
Linen box quilt.
Creamy lip & cheek stain.
Leather ballet flats.
A barre for at home practice.
Stella Wolfe silk ribbon.
The hourglass foam roller.
This sweet pink sapphire necklace.
A simple square neck bodysuit.
Thank you so much for visiting.
Have you been to the ballet before? Do you have a favourite performance from the early days of SYTYCD? Let me know your most memorable dance stories in the comments below and if you enjoyed this exhibit, please consider sharing with someone who will find it meaningful.
Ciao ciao,
Previous Exhibits at the YGL Gallery:
The Après Tennis Club
Let Them Eat Cake
Fellow dance girl here 🙋🏻♀️ this just sent me down a rabbit hole of watching old SYTYCD videos (huge fan, saw the live tour twice!) which is the best way to spend a Friday morning. Anything choreographed by Travis, Mia, Mark or Sonya has my heart. Also loved the Misty Copeland Degas interpretations, I’d never seen those before! Lovely.
One of my absolute FAVORITE childhood memories is that every Christmas, my mom, grandma, and I would dress up, have dinner downtown, and then go see the local ballet perform the Nutcracker. Now I play clarinet professionally, and getting to play in the pit for the Nutcracker and see a whole new generation of little girls dressed up for the ballet makes my heart so happy. Love your essay and especially the Misty Copeland photos. 🩰