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The Pointe Shoe
The Pointe Shoe
4. The inner cotton lining is nailed to an insole at the bottom of the form. This insole is made of both stiff cardboard for support and plastic for flexibility. 5. Glue is used to further attach the lining to the cardboard, and the nail is removed after the glue dries. 6. The next step is to build the part of the shoe that covers the dancers toes, called the box. The boxs base is formed using fabric and paste, almost like paper mch. A layer of resin-coated cotton is smoothed over the toe, followed by two layers of burlap and a layer of pure cotton. The shoemaker uses a unique mixture of flour, water, starches and resin to attach each layer to the shoe. This paste is crucial to the process, because it allows the box to be stiff enough to sustain the dancers weight but supple enough for the dancer to move gracefully. 7. Before the paste dries, the shoemaker hammers the tip of the box so that it is perfectly flat and can be balanced on by the dancer. 8. After the shoe is allowed to sit for twenty-four hours, the cotton lining and the satin are folded into dainty pleats and glued to the insole. 9. The shoemaker uses extra-strength vinyl glue to attach a foam filler to the bottom of the shoe and then leaves it to air-dry. 10. Another twenty-four hours later, the shoe is heated to 200 Fahrenheit, and the heat reactivates the dried vinyl glue so that the outer suede sole can be attached. 11. The last step is to place the shoe in a press for fifteen second so that the bond between sole and shoe is solidified. Once the shoe is completed, the wooden form can be removed and the shoe can be packaged for sale. Depending upon the shoes quality, one pair can be sold for approximately $50 to $90.
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Conclusion
Centuries after its conception, the point shoe has evolved from a simple ballet slipper into the carefully crafted work of art it is today. As can be seen in Figure 2 below, professional ballet dancers continue to inspire and awe audiences worldwide by dancing en pointe. Forever a symbol of grace and refinement, there is no question that the pointe shoe will remain central to ballets identity for years to come, reminding us of dances rich history yet carrying the ballet communitys creative vision ever forward. (In closing, it is important to note that the use of pointe shoes without proper training and supervision can be severely damaging to ones physical health. Dancing en pointe requires years of diligent practice and strengthening work in order to be done safely.)
References
History of Pointe Shoes. University of California, San Diego. Web. 13 Mar. 2012. <http://acsweb.ucsd.edu/~liw013/CSE3/Lab2/MyInterest..pdf>. How Ballet Pointe Shoes Are Made. YouTube.com. ChrisIIIcube, 2 Sept. 2008. Web. 13 Mar. 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzB1yY2397E>. (Photograph on title page) Melalouise. Some of My Dead Pointe Shoes. 2006. Photograph. Flickr.com. Web. 13 Mar. 2012. <http://www.flickr.com/photos/melalouise/256819888/>. (Figure 1) Photograph. Best Pointe Shoes for Beginners: Types of Pointe Shoes & What to Buy. Ballet Dance Experts. Web. 13 Mar. 2012. <Best Pointe Shoes for Beginners: Types of Pointe Shoes & What to Buy>. (Figure 2) Ebling, Andreas. Swan Lake - Pas De Quatre. 2011. Photograph. Flickr.com. Web. 13 Mar. 2012. <http://www.flickr.com/photos/eblingandreas/5602910026/>.