“Dance of Creation”: I Review the Fantastic Ballets Russes Exhibit

at the National Gallery:

…It’s ambitious, and it mostly works. Even the walk over to the exhibit feels like a part of the show: In the cool, white, high-ceilinged landing of the gallery, you walk past George Segal’s 1971 plaster sculpture The Dancers, in which a ring of four calm and focused women practice their moves. From this image of peace and clarity you suddenly enter the dark, exotic, lush world of the Ballets Russes exhibit: a world of inspiration and ecstasy. The walls are close, the music swells, and placid white is replaced by red and gold and blue.

more (exhibit is showing through September 2!)