Realism Tutorial
Realism
In general, the Realism period was a reaction to (against) the Romantic period.
Realists sought the truth
Beauty was not found in the extraordinary, but in the ordinary, commonplace things and people.
The individual worker in a factory was, therefore, a reasonable theme for a Realist painter or author. • Seeks the truth • Beauty in the commonplace • Focus on Industrial Revolution • Focus on conditions of working class
Realism, Defined
Depiction of subjects as they appear in everyday life, without embellishment or interpretation. Also, works of art which, in revealing a truth, may emphasize the ugly or sordid.
Realism Drama/ Theater
Continued to be popular Realistic portrayal of characters and problems found within society
Happy endings no longer “Serious drama” Women’s rights The role of class in society
Focused on social problems, specifically:
Realism Era Dance
Social Dancing
Partner dances Examples:
Ballroom dances Partner dances Circle dances Line dances Novelty dances Club dancing in solo
Square Dances
"Partners" (usually a man and a woman) faced each other as a lively tune began. “Caller" would yell out instructions to the partners to follow.
A good caller also came up with colorful sayings or witty lines that he would say in between the cues such as "Don't be bashful and don't be afraid. Swing on the corner in a waltz promenade." A caller might also come up with new dance steps and routines. The various starting positions and the overall direction of the participants were all that usually needed explaining.
Purely for entertainment. Located in the local town square or handy barn with music performed by common folks playing on fiddles and banjos, this was not a formal dress occasion: men wore pants and plain shirt (or maybe even overalls), while women wore simple dresses.
The Waltz
Much more formal Still a dance for common folks and their special occasions Not a specialized dance like ballet. "Regular folks" danced a waltz when they were at a formal dance. The dancers had to know the movements ahead of time, since there was no caller. The music was performed by trained musicians on classical instruments, usually in a grand hall or pavilion. Dress was formal attire: men wore long-tailed coats, women wore fancy ball gowns.
Folk Dances
Describe a large number of dances, mostly of European origin, that tend to share the following attributes:
They were originally danced in about the 19th century or earlier (or are, in any case, not currently copyrighted); Their performance is dominated by an inherited tradition rather than by innovation; They were danced by common people and not exclusively by aristocracy; They have been developed spontaneously and there is no governing body that has final say over what "the dance" is or who is authorized to teach it. This also means that no one has the final say over the definition of folk dance or the minimum age for such dances.
Folk Dancing Characteristics
No
professional training New dancers often learn informally by observing others and/or receiving help from others Social activity rather than competitive