the Ballet Giselle

[a precedent study]

i'm constantly intrigued by the beauty of the ballet. the positions of the body are so geometric and linear in form, yet when combined together every individual stance flows into one swift, gracious motion. dancers use their bodies to tell a story. they display themselves as works of art and let the audience walk away with their own perception of the piece.

when the Pittsboro County Hall project was assigned to us, with the intention of having a performing arts space within the building, i immediately thought of a ballet and how it could inspire a concept for my design.

i chose specifically the ballet Giselle.

the story and dance is amazing! below is a brief description with a short video explaining why i chose this beautiful piece.

As the ballet begins, a nobleman named Albrecht is busily wooing a young, beautiful peasant girl named Giselle. Albrecht leads the young maiden to believe that he is a farmer named Loys. Giselle falls in love with the man, unaware that he is already betrothed to Bathilde, daughter of the Duke. She agrees to marry the man, despite the romantic advancements of another peasant, Hilarion, who suspects that Albrecht is an imposter. Giselle wants badly to dance, but her mother warns her that she has a weak heart.

A Prince and his entourage are soon announced by a hunting horn. When the prince's daughter realizes that she and Giselle are both engaged, she gives her a gold necklace. Hilarion tells Giselle that Albrecht has been deceiving her, that he is actually a nobleman. Bathilde quickly reveals to Giselle that Albrecht is indeed her fiance. Horrified and weak, Giselle goes mad and dies of a broken heart.

equally proportional in length and width.

straight lines that merge into one continuous form.

repetition of shapes and pattern.

balanced form.

The second act of the ballet takes place in a forest beside Giselle's grave. The Queen of the ghostly Wilis, virgins who have died of unrequited love, calls upon them to accept Giselle as one of their own. When Hilarion stops by, the Wilis make him dance to his death.

clean lines and symmetry.

focal lighting to create a sense of drama.

But when Albrecht arrives, Giselle (now a Wili herself) dances with him until the Wilis' power is lost, when the clock strikes four. Realizing that Giselle has saved him, Albrecht cries at her grave.

dimensionality and full use of space.