Physics and the Art of Dance: Understanding Movement

by Kenneth Laws, Martha Swope (Photographer)

Written by a physicist with professional dance training, Physics and the Art of Dance explains how dancers can achieve better, safer performances through an understanding of physics in motion. Using simple, non-technical terms, Kenneth Laws combines his knowledge of both physics and dance to
describe how the laws of gravity, momentum, and energy affect dancing bodies. The book explores the natural laws that govern the subtleties of balance, the techniques of leaps and pirouettes, and the impressive lifts and turns executed by ballet partners. Finally, Laws offers insight into two
current discussions in the dance world--the effect of body size on ballet technique, and the relationship between science and the art of dance.

Beautiful, original stop-action photographs by Martha Swope, along with clear diagrams, illustrate the concepts described in the text. Plus, an intriguing "puzzler" at the beginning of each chapter provides an engaging entrée into the topics presented. For those who want a more advanced
understanding of the physics, extensive appendices are provided.

This new book combines the best features of Laws's widely acclaimed The Physics of Dance and Physics, Dance, and the Pas de Deux by Laws and Cynthia Harvey. Its expert application of the basic principles of physics to the art of dance will be an invaluable resource for dancers and dance instructors
and will open a new level of appreciation for lovers of the form. It will also appeal to physicists who seek to include the arts in their scientific pursuits.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Timi Waters]

This played a pivotal role in my research for CALL ME NAETO. Excellent read.

[Anny Veddes]

Kenneth Laws is like the Richard Feynman of Dance. He thoroughly explains why and how, instead of just expecting rote learning to enlighten the reader.

[Sara Yoon]

As a nerd who does ballet, this book was great. There's so much that you're just told by ballet teachers. Reading about the science and purpose behind everything was eye-opening. Every comment, every alignment, every movement has a purpose and for a nerd like me, I loved finally getting to understand it concretely in terms of science.

[Ramya]

A wonderful endorsement for my way of dancing tango with physics principles not vague analogies.

[Anindya Krisna]

So far, this book has answered one of the most haunting question in my life. This book showed me the best way to achieve multiple pirouettes, especially pirouette en dehors from fourth position. I'm not a natural in turning nor do I suck at it. I just want my pirouettes to be consistent. Turning is the only thing I fear in terms of ballet technique, and Kenneth Laws' book has pretty much assured me that with a lot of thinking (and an equal amount of confidence), triple pirouettes are no longer so impossible to do.

[Emsmith]

Very interesting book! Read it to set up assignments for Hannah as this is her science book for the year.

[yamiyoghurt]

not an easy read