I found that dance, music, and literature is how I made sense of the world... it pushed me to think of things bigger than life's daily routines... to think beyond what is immediate or convenient.
Mikhail BaryshnikovRead
I have been very lucky to work in so many new ballets, but that is what a dancer's work is.
Interpretation
A dancer's work involves constant exploration and engagement with new creations.
In this quote, Mikhail Baryshnikov reflects on his fortunate career as a dancer, highlighting the essence of a dancer's profession which is rooted in the continuous development and performance of new ballets. This speaks to the dynamic nature of the dance world where innovation and adaptation are crucial for artistic growth and expression.
In practice
In a speech at a dance festival, you might say, 'As Mikhail Baryshnikov said, I have been very lucky to work in so many new ballets, emphasizing the creativity in our performances.'
I found that dance, music, and literature is how I made sense of the world... it pushed me to think of things bigger than life's daily routines... to think beyond what is immediate or convenient.
It's weird when you see pieces of choreography that were done for you 15 or 20 years ago and now they are being done by another dance company.
I miss horribly those couple of hours before the performance when you get into the theater and you see people.
No dancer can watch Fred Astaire and not know that we all should have been in another business.
There comes a moment in a young artist's life when he knows he has to bring something to the stage from within himself. He has to put in something in order to be able to take something.
Dancing is my obsession. My life.
What do you think an artist is? ...he is a political being, constantly aware of the heart breaking, passionate, or delightful things that happen in the world, shaping himself completely in their image. Painting is not done to decorate apartments. It is an instrument of war.
I wish I had more confidence. I think that's probably my Achilles' heel. If I had more, I probably would have felt emboldened to make more interesting music earlier on, or really go for it in an artistic or songwriting sense.
When I see an artist whose work I like at a party - I'm old now, so I can do this - I go right over and tell them how much I like their work. Instantly, I'm on their side. The act of saying it takes away the competition. The act of saying it makes me not hate them anymore, because they're good.
I never weary of great churches. It is my favorite kind of mountain scenery. Mankind was never so happily inspired as when it made a cathedral.
You must think. The eye is not enough; it needs to think as well.
Writing is exhilarating, but reading reviews is not. I've been really devastated by 'good' reviews because they misunderstand the project of the book. It can be strangely galvanising to get a 'bad' one.
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