The Art of Flamenco
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by Yvonne van der Bijl* Passionate cries erupt from scowling proud dancers in bright coloured dresses with polka dots, wild guitars and spirited clapping join in the spectacle: Flamenco, the untamed heart of Spanish culture. It was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010.
From left to right Belén Maya Eva la Yerbagüena Olga Pericet
*Yvonne van der Bijl (text & photography). She won the first prize and an extra prize as flamenco photographer during the II Salon Internacional de Fotografía Flamenca in Jerez de la Frontera in 2000. She has a chapter about her life and work in ‘La Historia de la Fotografía Flamenca’ 2006 by Carlos Arbelos
Flamenco consists of Cante (song), Baile (dance) and Toque (instruments, especially the guitar). The basic and oldest form of flamenco is Cante especially the Cante Jondo (deep song), a wild, primitive cry which can be performed without an instrument, a palo seco. The song has an unfamiliar oriental style and is therefore not easily accepted by a western audience. You have to learn to appreciate the different palos (styles) which each have their own atmosphere. It helps when you have a command of the Spanish language to understand the lyrics of the song. Generally more appreciated is the dance and the guitar playing.
The dance is like the song: the expression of feelings and individuality is characterized by the male aggressiveness and the female gracefulness. The male dancer is focussed on his feet, the zapateados (footwork) as a symbol of power, stability and manliness. The female dancer is concentrating on her arms and circular hand movements to express her elegance. The guitar was at first only used as accompaniment. Later on it also became a solo instrument. The technique of flamenco is very specific and based on particular styles called palos. The backbone is the compas (rhythm) that can be supported