Flamenco

Flamenco was completed in 2012 out of 2 balsa wood blocks. It's varnished and sits on a varnished hardwood base. It's approximately 13 inches tall. Flowing skirts have always fascinated me. I've admired them in Mexican folk dance, in classical and modern ballet and, of course, in flamenco. The flamenco was born in Andalusía, Spain, from a fusion of cultures and traditions, and it has strong Indian influence. It's an extremely complex art form, which includes guitar music or "toque", singing or "cante", hand clapping or "palmas", foot stomping or "zapateo" and, of course, dancing. The origin of this improvised style of dance has been generally assigned to the Romani people of southern Spain, although it is now studied and practiced all over the world. This piece represents a flamenco dancer keeping the rhythm of the music by lifting her knee up high and performing a "floreo" with her hands. The floreo is an important part of the art of flamenco for its intrinsic beauty and because it is used to accentuate the "compás" or rhythm the "bailaora," or flamenco dancer, is dancing to.