Edgar Degas, The Danicing Class #1, 1874
Historical Background:
The painting shows many young ballerinas and their mothers in the background. The ballerina in the center is performing for the ballet teacher. This ballet teacher is Jules Perrot, a very famous ballet teacher in Europe during the 19th century.
Representation of Gender Role:
The mothers in the background are watching their daughters perform and improve their dancing. This represents how mothers play a significant role in shaping the future of their children.
RESEARCH
Irasema, Boys Can Be Ballerinas, Fathers Can Be Mothers, 2015
I wanted to concentrate on this ideal that mothers are left to raise their children while the father figure is at work. This is not true; children need both parents in their lives. Fathers can attend dance recitals just as much as they can attend football games. Boys can be ballerinas just like girls can be MMA fighters if that is what their heart desires.
I also wanted to switch the gender roles while adding humor and placed male ballerinas at the center of the dance room.
I chose to reform The Dance Class by Edgar Degas because I believe this painting accurately portrays stereotypical old-fashioned gender roles. I felt by adding some sense of humor and making it abstract I could get my message across. I wanted to convey that children and parents are not limited by their genders. They should do what their heart desires; regardless of this label society has placed upon them.
INDIVIDUAL ART MAKING
I think this entire project did help me interpret art differently. The old fashioned way of looking at genders suggests that women are supposed to raise their children while their husband works. It also suggests that dancing is a hobby for only women. At first I did not understand the message Degas was trying to get across but after doing some research I was able to open my mind and apply these views to other pieces of art. It also opened my eyes to how artists portray gender roles, especially in older art.
REFLECT ON THE PROJECT
Irasema
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