My Science School

Have you ever made a shadow figure on the wall using your hand and a light source? Perhaps a dog or a rabbit? If so, you've already had some experience with shadow puppetry!

This magic of light and dark has transfixed the people for years together. Known as shadowgraphy or ombromanie, this ancient art was recently used by the United Nations to promote the message of climate change during the Climate Week.

Hand shadowgraphy is an ancient form of puppetry in which the puppeteer uses his hands to cast shadows of animals, people and other objects onto a flat surface. The light source can be anything a candle, an LED, or a torch. The shadows are projected onto a white screen either from the front or the back.

History of shadowgraphy

Historians believe that shadowgraphy is one of the oldest forms of art. Shadow puppetry existed in Indonesia around 850 AD and in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

The art was introduced to Europe by travellers returning from China who had seen the Chinese puppet theatre shows. The first "ombres chinoises were presented in Paris in 1776 by Dominique Seraphin, but this involved only two-dimensional cut-out "puppets" made from various materials.

UNESCO World Heritage

Over the years, different forms of shadowgraphy have developed around the world. In 2011, Chinese shadow puppetry was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Chinese shadow puppetry performances involve colourful silhouette figures made of leather or paper, and are accompanied by music and singing. Puppeteers using rods create the illusion of movement of the images on a translucent cloth screen illuminated from behind.

Picture Credit : Google

Have you ever dipped your hand into paint and created an imprint on a piece of paper or a wall? Isn't it fun to see the impression your fingers and palms make on a surface?

Well, did you know that hand motifs have existed in art since prehistoric times? Or that the earliest prehistoric art could be handprints made by children? A team of archaeologists and paleontologists have discovered a series of handprints and footprints dating back to 169,000 B.C. and 226,000 B.C, making it possibly the oldest work of art ever known to humans.

Travertine treasure

The ancient prints were found on a boulder near the village of Quesang in Tibet, about 80 km northwest of the capital, Lhasa, beside a hot spring. Analysis suggests they were pressed into soft limestone called travertine that was deposited around the hot spring 169.000 to 226,000 years ago.

The size of the prints indicates they were made by two children, one about 7 years old and the other about 12.

What is parietal art?

The team of scientists, who made the discovery, argue that the prints are the earliest examples of parietal art. Parietal art is any prehistoric drawing, engraving or relief found on the surface of a rock or a cave. Parietal art is considered to be immobile (which cannot be moved).

The oldest parietal art is currently known from the Sulawesi region in Indonesia and the El Castillo caves in Spain, dating to 39.900 and 43,900 years ago. Both these sites have hand motifs.

Deliberate or not?

One of the chief questions on the minds of the researchers is whether the prints found on the Quesang plateau were deliberate or accidental? While most scientists agree that these prints were intentionally placed and so can be considered art, some remain sceptical about how they were made.

Did you know?

In July 2021, scientists announced the discovery of a carved deer bone in Hartz Mountains of Germany from 51,000 years ago that appears to be the oldest mobile work of art (which can be moved), which is the opposite of parietal art.

Picture Credit : Google

This form of embroidery has a special significance in northern Karnataka, and was traditionally found on saris worn by the bride in certain communities. Motifs generally include kolam or rangoli designs and palanquins.

There are so many traditional kasuti embroidery patterns, although there are a number of common themes or motifs. Lotus flowers (center) are widely used, as are other flowers, animals, shells and plenty of borders. Many are inspired by temples in the Karnatak region. 

Like blackwork or other counted thread techniques, kasuti embroidery designs are worked on a grid. Although the patterns shown above are not pictured on a grid, they still are more like a chart and will work on aida or other evenweave fabric.

Download the kasuti pattern JPG and print it out for reference or to transfer the designs. Use the motifs individually or repeat the elements.

If you are using Aida cloth, each straight line on the pattern represents one square. If you are using an evenweave fabric, decide how many threads to count for each straight stitch. You can easily adjust the size of the pattern by changing the number of threads you count for each stitch. 

If you want to use regular linen or quilting cotton, you can either use waste canvas to create the grid on the fabric or treat this as any other embroidery pattern and mark the design directly on the fabric and stitch over it. Use the motifs individually or repeat the elements.

Credit : The Spruce Crafts

Picture Credit : Google

This intricate form of embroidery traces its origins to Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. In its classic form, white thread is used on white cotton fabric and according to some theories, it dates back to the Mughal era. Initially, it was believed to have been used to embellish clothes worn by men.

Delicately worked chikankari designs were embroidered on the finest of cotton mulmul (muslin) fabrics during the Mughal period, and it had value and worth for its aesthetics. It had been encouraged very much during that time to make it one of the most popular embroidery techniques of India and which has remained so till date. This embroidery technique is popularly used to adorn beautiful kurtas and sarees and even home decor items.

Chikankari produces stunning effects on sheer fabrics for the shadowy effect that it gives. But Chikankari is not restricted. You can do chikan work on any kind of fabric but mostly sheer fabric is preferred for the shadow effect they give. They are mostly done on Malmal cotton, Cambric, muslin, voile, organza, silk, crepe, organdy chiffon, and tassar. When this work is done on net it gives a lace like look which is absolutely stunning.

Believed to be more than four centuries old, it seems to find its roots in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, India.  Whether or not it originated during the Mughal rule, one can definitely find its encouragement and flourishing during that period for embellishing all nature of fabrics. The fabrics during the Mughal period were generally the soft malmal and muslin cotton and Chikankari was used to adorn them with exquisite floral designs. Special mention is made by historians that Noorjehan, wife of Emperor Jahangir, was instrumental in creating the environment for the propagation of this art during the emperor’s reign.

Credit : Unnati silks

Picture Credit : Google

Origami was on display at the Tokyo Olympics, which concluded on August 8. Athletes and journalists across venues were reportedly given cranes, flowers, butterflies made of paper, as a token of good health and cheer amid the gloomy reality of the COVID-19 pandemic. But did you know that this art of paper folding is even used in space engineering?

Origami engineering

It was American physicist Robert J Lang, who first studied the mathematics of origami and came up with real-world applications of origami to engineering problems. Today, origami is providing practical solutions to tackle complicated problems in space engineering.

Wondering how it is possible? Well, the ancient Japanese art of origami is adopted in space engineering to fold large objects and compress them so that they fit into smaller spaces inside the rocket and can be deployed once they reach their destination.

For instance, origami has helped NASA in designing the Starshade, a flower-shaped occulter in the Exoplanet Exploration Program in the New Worlds Mission Origami helped NASA fit the Starshade occulter, which is the size of a baseball field, inside a rocket. Once the Starshade opens in space, it will allow a space telescope to better see the planets around bright stars. Similarly, origami has been used in the CubeSats project where a huge antenna was packed into satellites the size of a briefcase. Origami has also been used in designing a robot called PUFFER. Applying the principles of origami, the scientists have been able to create a robot that can fold itself up and operate in small spaces. The robot will be able to enter cracks, crevices and explore all the areas that are otherwise inaccessible.

See how the simple art of paper folding is blended with rocket science.

Evolution of origami

Japan's love affair with paper began when the Buddhist monks imported the technology for manufacturing paper from China via Korea and created the beautiful washi paper, which is used in origami.

Origami butterflies, Ocho and Mecho, are the earliest known examples of origami mentioned in a short poem composed by thara Saikaku in 1680. Then in 1764 Sadatake Ise published the first set of instructions on paper folding in "Tsutsumi musibi no Ki". It developed further in the Edo era. Paper adomments were folded in different ways to symbolise different things. By the end of the period, more than 70 shapes were known including the crane, frog and samurai helmet.

Meanwhile, countries around the world too had their own traditions of folding. The Spanish tradition of folding paper birds was known as 'pajarita', whereas folding of napkins had become a practice among Italy's elites too. The Japanese and the Western folding traditions were merged by a German educator, Friedrich Frobel, who created the concept of kindergarten. Frobel made paper folding a part of the early years curriculum, thereby drawing the world's attention to this unique art.

Picture Credit : Google

Giant, bulky trucks carrying heavy goods are a familiar sight on national highways. Their imposing presence often annoys other motorists on the road. However, the next time you pass one by, don't forget to take a closer look. You may be surprised to find that these mammoth vehicles are actually covered in colourful and ornate artwork.

From drawings of soaring eagles and blushing brides to catchy slogans and safety messages displayed on the sides, truck art can be traced back to the truck drivers of India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. It comes in a melange of colours and psychedelic symbols.

Why it's done

Trucks are often used to transport cargo and heavy goods across long distances. As they embark on deliveries, truck drivers are forced to leave their homes and families behind for months together. They spend long hours on the lonely, rambling road and are sometimes forced to sleep in their vehicles. In a way, the trucks serve as their home away from home. And just as we decorate our homes to make them attractive, the truck-drivers too brighten up their home-on-wheels with truck art.

A motley of colours

The art consists of signature colours, characteristic typography and woodwork with intricate details. Each truck is different, an expression of its owner, reflecting individual beliefs, values and interests.

Popularity

Today, the art form is no longer restricted to trucks. The style has become a popular expression of contemporary lture. Kitschy designs found in truck art are replicated on garments, cushion covers, crockery and other items of home decor. However, there are concerns that the truck art tradition is dying, as hand-painted artwork is getting replaced with stickers.

Did you know?

• Environmentalists in Kolkata launched an initiative to spread awareness on the importance of tiger conservation through the popular truck art on International Tiger Day on July 29.
• Pakistani decorated trucks ferrying goods to Afghanistan came to be known as jingle trucks by the U.S. troops and contractors.
• One of the most common signs you will find emblazoned across the back of a truck is "Horn, Ok, Please". It's a call for other drivers to honk when they try to overtake the truck; a long-standing tradition on Indian roads.

Picture Credit : Google

When one thinks of Leonardo da Vinci, his masterpieces "Mona Lisa" and "The Last Supper' come to mind. But did you know that the Italian Renaissance genius is equally famous for a tiny drawing of a bear's head? Or that it was recently sold for a record amount?

Titled "Head of a Bear, the painting is just 2.75 inches by 2.75 inches, which is roughly the size of a postal stamp. The teeny-tiny painting created a giant record by getting a bid of $12.1m at an auction in London, surpassing the previous record set by the "Horse and Rider", which sold for $11.5m in 2001.

So what makes this tiny sketch so speciál? Well, the answer lies in the technique. The painting is 500 years old and is rendered in silverpoint.

What is silverpoint?

This is an extremely fine technique that has no room for error. It involves applying a silver stick or a stylus to a specially prepared paper. In this technique, even the minutest flaw can leave a mark and ruin the painting. Imagine the amount of control and perfection required!

What makes it even more interesting is that the initial marks of silverpoint appear grey, but when exposed to air, they gradually change to a warm brown tone. This is because of the process of oxidation and it can take up to several months. The speed of oxidation varies according to the level of pollution in the air.

Another reason that makes the painting precious is its subject. Although da Vinci was interested in nature and animals, he rarely reproduced them on paper. He usually created portraits, landscapes, and works revolving around religious themes.

Provenance

Also, "Head of a Bear' is one of the few privately owned paintings of da Vinci. The sketch previously belonged to British painter and collector Sir Thomas Lawrence, before being sold at Christie's in 1860 for £2.50.

Backstory Born in 1452, da Vinci is known for his paintings and inventions. He dedicated his time to science, math, architecture, design, engineering, geology, cartography, sculpting and drawing. His artwork continues to fetch astronomical sums.

OH REALLY?

• Researchers have identified 14 descendants of da Vinci. Decades-long research has revealed that his relatives continue to live in Tuscany. The scientists are hoping to find answers regarding his genius by studying da Vinci's geneology.
• In 2017, a 500-year-old painting of the Christ believed to have been painted by da Vinci sold in New York for a record $450m. Known as Salvator Mundi (Saviour of the World), the sale represented the highest auction price for any work of art.
• Last year, an online bidder paid $98,000 to attend the annual examination of the "Mona Lisa", which is when the Louvre museum in Paris takes the painting out of its case for inspection.

Picture Credit : Google

After a decade-long search, the Greek police last month recovered two artworks stolen from the Greece's National Art Gallery in 2012. One of the paintings, "Head of a Woman" by Pablo Picasso was donated to the Greek people by the Spanish painter himself, while the other painting was made by the Dutch painter Piet Mondrian. While the recovery of the paintings has created a buzz in the art world, here's a look at some of the world's most famous paintings, which were stolen but are yet to be found...

Picasso

Believe it or not more than 1,000 of Picasso's artworks have been reported missing from all over the world. One of his masterpieces, the "Harlequin Head" was stolen from the Kunsthal Museum in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in 2012. The thieves walked away with seven masterpiences by some of the biggest names in art history, including Monet and Gauguin. While the thieves were later caught, the paintings could not be recovered. It was alleged that the paintings were burnt by the culprits. Another of Picasso's paintings, "Le Pigeon Aux Petit Pois" (The Pigeon with Green Peas) was stolen in May 2010 from the Musee d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris in France. When the thief was arrested, he claimed that he threw the painting in the dustbin. However, this claim remains unverified.

Rembrandt and Vermeer

The night of March 18, 1990 is one that the art world is unlikely to forget. "The Storm on the Sea of Galilee" by Rembrandt and 'The Concert" by Johannes Vermeer were stolen, along with 12 other masterpieces, from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston by two men in the guise of Boston police officers. Both the paintings are extremely valuable. "The Storm on the Sea of Gallilee" is believed to be Rembrandt's only sea scape, while "The Concert" by Vermeer depicting a musical performance, is prized at an estimated $200 million. So, this is considered one of the largest art-heists in history, and what's more, the museum still displays the empty frames of the paintings!

The missing panel

One of the panels of the 12-panel Ghent Altarpiece at the Saint Bavo's Cathedral in Belgium was stolen in 1934. The thieves left a note stating. "Taken from Germany by the Treaty of Versailles". Interestingly, a local Belgian politician Arsene Goedertier allegedly confessed on his deathbed that he knew the location of the painting, but refused to reveal it. In 1945, the missing panel was replaced with a copy by Jef Van der Veken, a Belgian restorer. But the whereabouts of the original panel still remain unknown.

The perils of war

A 16th Century painting by the Italian Renaissance master Raphael titled "Portrait of A Young Man" went missing during World War II. It belonged to a Polish noble family. When the Nazi invaded Poland, they stole the painting along with several others. It was supposed to be displayed at Hitlers Fuhrermuseum, but it went missing in 1945 from the residence of one of his officers. No one knows what happened to the painting.

Picture Credit : Google

One of the most famous artworks in the world, the "Night Watch" by Rembrandt has captured the imagination of people for centuries. And now, for the first time in 300 years, the painting has been displayed in its full size with the help of artificial intelligence.

What is the Night Watch?

Painted by Rembrandt in 1642, the "Night Watch" depicts an Amsterdam captain ordering his men into action. It is famous for its enormous size of 363 cm x 437 cm. Years after its creation, the painting had to be trimmed in 1715 on all four sides, when it was moved from Kloveniersdoelen, the headquarters of the Kloveniers militia, to the Town Hall of Amsterdam. In order to fit its new location between two marble columns, this painting was cut two feet from the top, two feet from the left, and inches from the right and the bottom, which drastically altered its appearance and effect.

We know what the original painting looked like because of copies made at the time. Although the original strips have not been found, recently researchers were able to restore the painting to its original size by recreating the missing parts with the help of Al.

New discoveries

The painting has been displayed temporarily at an exhibition at the Amsterdam museum. Expanding the photo to its original dimensions has given researchers and viewers insights into the masterpiece. For instance, Captain Frans Bannik Cocq, the central figure in the painting, now appears to be a little off centre, as Rembrandt had originally intended. This changes the tone of the picture, as the militia led by Cocq now appears to be marching towards their destination.

The restoration has also brought to light some figures that had been cut out of the original. These include three onlookers on a bridge, two militia and a young boy. Also, a boy in the left foreground can now be clearly seen running away from the militia. The figure of a drummer entering the frame from the right side has also been restored. The drummer now confidently marches onto the scene, prompting a dog to bark.

How it was restored

First, both "The Night Watch" and the much smaller copy by Gerrit Lundens produced around 1655, had to be carefully photographed. Then researchers scaled the images to the original size, and the Al made repeated attempts at replicating Rembrandt's style and colours closely and restoring the painting.

Technology in Art

In April, 2021, a team of engineers created a 3D printed copy of Michelangelo's sculptural masterpiece "David". The iconic 17-foot copy, as tall as the original, which stands in Florence's Galleria dell'Accademia, is the most faithful replica of the statue ever made.

Did you know?

• The painting was originally called "Militia Company of District II under the Command of Captain Frans Bannick Cocq", but it got its nickname, "The Night Watch" because the multiple layers of varnish applied to the painting had darkened it to such an extent that it gave an incorrect impression of a night scene. The varnish was removed in the 1940s, but the nickname remains.
• Despite his fame as an artist, Rembrandt descended into abject poverty in the latter half of his life. There are several conspiracy theories that "The Night Watch" led to his downfall. One of the theories dramatically proposes that the painting holds clues to a murder conspiracy. However, scholars dismiss such theories.

Picture Credit : Google

We are in that month of May, a month that can be quite frustrating. The long holidays, accompanied with the sweltering heat, can sometimes be really annoying and boring. With nowhere to go in the hot, sticky afternoons, how about engaging in a therapeutic and creative hobby? Let’s try origami – the art of folding objects out of paper!

The word ‘origami’ comes from the Japanese oru or orizuru which means “to fold”. That perfectly sums up what origami i4s. It is the traditional Japanese art or technique of folding paper into a variety of decorative and representational forms of animals, flowers or any other living thing. What makes origami unique is the fact that it simply requires a piece of paper and a bit of creative imagination!

Many people get confused between origami and ordinary paper-folding. The two crafts are similar in that they both involve the folding of paper to achieve a desired result. But usually paper-folding is done to serve a specific purpose whereas origami is an artistic expression of folding a single sheet of paper into a model without the use of tape, glue, scissors or other tools. We also do not decorate the model after it is complete.

Types of origami

Origami can be created in both 2D and 3D subjects, and has expanded and evolved beyond birds and boats. It has come a long way since Buddhist monks carried paper to Japan during the 6th century. Since the first Japanese origami dating from this period, which was used for religious ceremonial purposes only, origami enthusiasts have come up with over 80 different types of origami!

How to create an origami

Origami doesn’t have to be difficult and frustrating. There are many figures that are easy and fun to do is regular 8  x 11 inch paper. Take the left corner and fold it down to the right side. Make sure the right corner is ceased at the very tip. Take the upper right corner and fold it down to the left, connecting the corner to the left corner where the original fold was made.

Most popular form of origami

The traditional origami crane is perhaps the most popular example of origami. It uses a bird base, which is a square base plus two petal folds. Folding a thousand paper cranes is said to grant you to right to make one special wish. This tradition is popular in Japan and around the world.

Origami paper

Origami paper comes in several sizes, but standard sizes include 75 x 75 mm (about 3 x 3 inches), 6-incch squares, and 10-inch squares. It is handmade, just like regular mulberry paper, but is much thinner, around 25 GSM, and easier to fold. To begin with, instead of using the original origami paper, we can also try other easily-available options: Newspaper, Old lottery tickets, Wrapping paper, Book pages, and Letters.

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Did you know that the painting of a can of soup is considered to be one of the world's greatest masterpieces?

Artist Andy Warhol drew Campbell's Soup Cans between November 1961 and March or April 1962. The works were exhibited on July 9, 1962 in the Ferus Gallery of Los Angeles, California. When they were first displayed, the 32 canvases, each consisting of a painting of a different flavour of Campbell's Soup, met with a lot of ridicule for their ordinary subject matter. In fact, a neighbouring gallery even put actual soup cans on its window and advertised them as cheaper than Warhol's works (the cans cost only 29 cents). What did these rows upon rows of identical soup cans actually mean?

Well, though the paintings portrayed everyday, seemingly ordinary objects, they carried a deeper meaning. First, they were a commentary on how mass production and consumerism had come to dominate American life and culture.

Silkscreen painting

Second, just like the mass production of the soup cans. Warhol mass produced the paintings, using the silkscreen printing process that allowed him to create multiple versions of a single work.

He traced the images of a soup can onto his blank canvas, and then carefully filled each can using old fashioned brushes and paint. But each painting had a slight imperfection-a smudge, misprint or a slightly skewed label.

This also served as a contradiction to the Pop art culture. Pop artists usually tried to erase all traces of individuality from their work so that it looks almost identical. Although Warhol's soup cans were supposed to look like they'd been made mechanically, every painting had a slight difference. The paintings caused a sensation throughout the art world.

DID YOU KNOW?

• When the public finally warmed up to Warhol's soup cans the art began to appear everywhere Warhol himself designed paper dresses in soup can print for New York socialites. Later, the Campbell company too joined in the fun. They came out with the Souper Dress covered in Warhol-esque soup labels.
• In May 1969, Warhol appeared on the cover of the Esquire magazine drowning in a can of Campbell's Tomato Soup.
• In 1996, The Museum of Modern Art in New York bought the 32 paintings from Irving Blum (who had purchased them from Warhol only for $1.000) for more than $15 million. Even the Souper Dress has been declared a classic.

Picture Credit : Google

 

Did you know that the painting of a can of soup is considered to be one of the world's greatest masterpieces?

Artist Andy Warhol drew Campbell's Soup Cans between November 1961 and March or April 1962. The works were exhibited on July 9, 1962 in the Ferus Gallery of Los Angeles, California. When they were first displayed, the 32 canvases, each consisting of a painting of a different flavour of Campbell's Soup, met with a lot of ridicule for their ordinary subject matter. In fact, a neighbouring gallery even put actual soup cans on its window and advertised them as cheaper than Warhol's works (the cans cost only 29 cents). What did these rows upon rows of identical soup cans actually mean?

Well, though the paintings portrayed everyday, seemingly ordinary objects, they carried a deeper meaning. First, they were a commentary on how mass production and consumerism had come to dominate American life and culture.

Silkscreen painting

Second, just like the mass production of the soup cans. Warhol mass produced the paintings, using the silkscreen printing process that allowed him to create multiple versions of a single work.

He traced the images of a soup can onto his blank canvas, and then carefully filled each can using old fashioned brushes and paint. But each painting had a slight imperfection-a smudge, misprint or a slightly skewed label.

This also served as a contradiction to the Pop art culture. Pop artists usually tried to erase all traces of individuality from their work so that it looks almost identical. Although Warhol's soup cans were supposed to look like they'd been made mechanically, every painting had a slight difference. The paintings caused a sensation throughout the art world.

DID YOU KNOW?

• When the public finally warmed up to Warhol's soup cans the art began to appear everywhere Warhol himself designed paper dresses in soup can print for New York socialites. Later, the Campbell company too joined in the fun. They came out with the Souper Dress covered in Warhol-esque soup labels.


• In May 1969, Warhol appeared on the cover of the Esquire magazine drowning in a can of Campbell's Tomato Soup.


• In 1996, The Museum of Modern Art in New York bought the 32 paintings from Irving Blum (who had purchased them from Warhol only for $1.000) for more than $15 million. Even the Souper Dress has been declared a classic.

 

Picture Credit : Google

 

Ikebana is art of arranging flowers in a pleasing pattern. It developed from custom of offering flowers to the Buddha and was introduced into Japan early in the seventh century. At first ikebana was used only as a form of worship of the Buddha. Priests decorated Buddhist temples with flower arrangements which were not only beautiful but also symbolized various religious ideas. Later, towards the thirteenth century, ikebana spread to the homes of ordinary people and today it is one of the most graceful traditions of Japanese life.

Bonsai is the arranging plants into certain shapes and is the Japanese world literally meaning ‘tray-planted’. It is an older art than ikebana and first began in China. Ikebana uses fresh flowers and other decorative material Ikebana uses fresh flowers and other decorative material such as twigs, mosses and leaves. This is done by keeping them to a small size while still making them look like real trees. It is a very difficult art and requires a great deal of patience and time. To produce a dwarf tree between 30 and 40 centimetres high can take up to 100 years of careful work. The art of bonsai is passed on from father to son and one tree can be handed down from one generation to the next as a valued possession.

 

Picture Credit : Google

For as long as there has been a beat there has been dance. Dance is one of the oldest forms of art. People dance to express themselves, for religious reasons, to celebrate their culture, to be with other people, for exercise, or just to have fun!

Religious dances are forms of prayer. Native Americans may dance to ask for help in hunting, farming, or war. They may imitate animals by moving like them or wearing masks. Folk dance celebrates a group’s history and traditions. Folk dancers may wear colourful costumes. Many folk dances are easy to learn. People may join hands or move in a circle. Other folk dances are full of energy and passion and the dancers must be very athletic.

We may go to a theatre to see dancers who have been specially trained to perform a kind of dance. Ballet is the oldest kind of dance performed in theatres. It began in the 1400’s at the courts of princes, dukes, and other rulers in what is now Italy. For hundreds of years, ballet dancers have made beautiful movements as they leap and twirl across the stage. Female ballet dancers, called ballerinas, dance on the tips of their toes in special shoes. Ballet movements are very difficult. But when they are done well, they look graceful and easy.

In the late 1800’s, some dancers thought that the movements in ballet were too unnatural. One of these rebels was an American dancer named Isadora Duncan. Instead of ballet steps, she made natural movements that imitated the wind and the waves. Her ideas inspired a new art form - modern dance. Several American women, including Martha Graham, continued Duncan’s work. Today, even ballet dancers borrow ideas from modern dance.

Another dance developed in the U.S.A. is tap. More than 100 years ago, African Americans combined steps from African dances, the Irish jig, and a British dance called the clog. The first “theatres” for tap dancers were taverns and street corners. But by 1870, the dancers were tapping onstage.

The musical is another mostly American form of theatre dance. It tells a story through songs and dance. The dancing may have a beat, like tap, or it may move like ballet. The American film Singin’ in the Rain, for instance, features dancing that combine parts of ballet, jazz, modern dance, and tap.

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Could you put on a play without saying a word? It might seem impossible. But actors have been performing plays without words for hundreds of years. Acting without speaking is called mime.

Actors who mime a story must use their actions to make it clear who they are, how they feel, and what they are doing. Mimes have no scenery or words to help them. They show what is happening by moving their body and making faces.

Clowns also perform without speaking. But unlike mimes, clowns get help from props. For example, one clown may throw a pie at another clown to show anger. Another may pour water over his own head to make people laugh.

Clowns also use makeup to show who they are and how they feel. No two clowns paint their face in exactly the same way. Some have big smiles painted on. Others look sad and foolish - as if disaster is just around the corner.

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