FANTASTIC BALLET RUSSE EXPERIENCE

On the 10^th of March 2011, Fashion Design students were taken on an excursion to visit the Ballet Russe in Canberra. The Ballet Russe was a sensational ballet performance company, which first showed in Paris in 1909. The dancing, choreography, music, stage and costume design, and publicity, were all of equal excellence, drawing large crowds. The Ballet Russe costumes are persuasive works of art in their own right, and continue to be admired long after they ceased to be worn on stage. We were asked to focus on three particular garments from the exhibition that drew our attention.

Le Dieu Bleu (The Blue God)

The sensational embellishment and decoration on this costume was the first thing that caught my eye. The background silk and satin fabrics are overlaid with techniques such as embroidery, applique, and printing, creating delicate shapes and designs. The intricate patterns symbolise the jewellery seen in Hindi sculpture and the stiff formality symbolises the sculptural poses (rather than active dancing). The blue lining of the costume gives a particular connection to Nijinsky – Nijinsky wore bright blue makeup to represent the god’s skin being turned blue as a result of being bitten by a poisonous serpent.

The story behind the costume also caught my attention. A young neophyte was soon to become a priest and they were gathered around waiting for the ceremony to commence. However, his lover attempts to rescue him from priesthood and is instead captured and imprisoned in the shrine, threatened by the monsters inside. While trying to escape the monsters escape too and she appeals to the shrine’s deity for help. The Blue God and Goddess both rise from the lotus pond, they subdue the monsters and the lovers are reunited.

L’Oseau de feu (The Firebird)

Again, the story behind this remarkable costume caught my attention. The enchanted firebird, half woman half bird, is caught near the ancient castle of the evil wizard by Prince Ivan. In exchange for her freedom she gives Ivan one of her magical feathers and promises to protect him. In the castle there are twelve young princesses enslaved by the sorcerer, and the prince falls in love with one of them: Tsarevna. Prince Ivan attempts to follow Tsarevna into the evil castle but is attacked by the entourage of monster guards. The prince pulls out his magical feather and calls forth the Firebird and together they destroy the wizard and his brigade, freeing the princess. Prince Ivan and Tsarevna then have an extravagant wedding to end the play.

The costume was influenced by traditional Slavic festival costumes, consisting of rich brocades and braids, extravagant beading, applique and stencilling.