Striptease
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| A '''striptease''' or [[exotic dance]] is a form of [[erotic entertainment]], usually a [[dance]], in which the performer, known as a 'stripper', gradually [[undress]]es to music. | A '''striptease''' or [[exotic dance]] is a form of [[erotic entertainment]], usually a [[dance]], in which the performer, known as a 'stripper', gradually [[undress]]es to music. | ||
| - | ===World origins=== | + | ==World origins== |
| The origins of striptease as a performance art are disputed and various dates and occasions have been given from ancient Babylonia to twentieth century America. In terms of myth the first recorded striptease is related in the ancient Sumerian story of the descent of the goddess [[Inanna]] into the Underworld (or Kur). At each of the seven gates, she removed an article of clothing or a piece of jewelry. As long as she remained in hell, the earth was barren. When she returned, [[fecundity]] abounded. Some believe this myth was embodied in the [[dance of the seven veils]] of [[Salome]], who danced for [[King Herod]], as mentioned in the [[New Testament]] in Matthew 14:1-12 and [[Mark 6]]: 14-29. However, although the Bible records Salome's dance, the first mention of her removing seven veils occurs in [[Oscar Wilde]]'s [[Salome (play)|play of 'Salome']], in 1893: which some have claimed as the origin of modern striptease. After Wilde's play and [[Richard Strauss]]'s [[Salome (opera)|operatic version of the same]], first performed in 1905, the erotic 'dance of the seven veils', became a standard routine for dancers in opera, vaudeville, film and burlesque. A famous early practitioner was [[Maud Allan]] who in 1907 gave a private performance of the dance to [[King Edward VII]]. | The origins of striptease as a performance art are disputed and various dates and occasions have been given from ancient Babylonia to twentieth century America. In terms of myth the first recorded striptease is related in the ancient Sumerian story of the descent of the goddess [[Inanna]] into the Underworld (or Kur). At each of the seven gates, she removed an article of clothing or a piece of jewelry. As long as she remained in hell, the earth was barren. When she returned, [[fecundity]] abounded. Some believe this myth was embodied in the [[dance of the seven veils]] of [[Salome]], who danced for [[King Herod]], as mentioned in the [[New Testament]] in Matthew 14:1-12 and [[Mark 6]]: 14-29. However, although the Bible records Salome's dance, the first mention of her removing seven veils occurs in [[Oscar Wilde]]'s [[Salome (play)|play of 'Salome']], in 1893: which some have claimed as the origin of modern striptease. After Wilde's play and [[Richard Strauss]]'s [[Salome (opera)|operatic version of the same]], first performed in 1905, the erotic 'dance of the seven veils', became a standard routine for dancers in opera, vaudeville, film and burlesque. A famous early practitioner was [[Maud Allan]] who in 1907 gave a private performance of the dance to [[King Edward VII]]. | ||
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| Other possible influences on modern striptease were the dances of the [[Ghawazee]] "discovered" and seized upon by French colonists in nineteenth century [[North Africa]] and [[Egypt]]. The erotic [[dance of the bee]] performed by a woman known as [[Kuchuk Hanem]], was witnessed and described by the French novelist [[Gustave Flaubert]]. In this dance the performer disrobes as she searches for an imaginary bee trapped within her garments. It is likely that the women performing these dances did not do so in an indigenous context, but rather, responded to the commercial climate for this type of entertainment. [[Middle Eastern]] [[belly dance]], also known as Oriental Dancing, was popularized in the US after its introduction on the [[Midway (fair)|Midway]] at the [[World's Columbian Exposition|1893 World's Fair]] in [[Chicago]] by a dancer known as [[Little Egypt (dancer)|Little Egypt]]. | Other possible influences on modern striptease were the dances of the [[Ghawazee]] "discovered" and seized upon by French colonists in nineteenth century [[North Africa]] and [[Egypt]]. The erotic [[dance of the bee]] performed by a woman known as [[Kuchuk Hanem]], was witnessed and described by the French novelist [[Gustave Flaubert]]. In this dance the performer disrobes as she searches for an imaginary bee trapped within her garments. It is likely that the women performing these dances did not do so in an indigenous context, but rather, responded to the commercial climate for this type of entertainment. [[Middle Eastern]] [[belly dance]], also known as Oriental Dancing, was popularized in the US after its introduction on the [[Midway (fair)|Midway]] at the [[World's Columbian Exposition|1893 World's Fair]] in [[Chicago]] by a dancer known as [[Little Egypt (dancer)|Little Egypt]]. | ||
| + | ===French tradition=== | ||
| + | The ''People's Almanac'' credited the origin of striptease as we know it to an act in 1890s [[Paris, France|Paris]] in which a woman slowly removed her clothes in a vain search for a [[flea]] crawling on her body. At this time Parisian shows such as the [[Moulin Rouge]] and [[Folies Bergere]] pioneered semi-nude dancing and [[tableaux vivants]]. In 1905, the notorious and tragic Dutch dancer [[Mata Hari]], later shot as spy by the French authorities during [[World War One]], was an overnight success from the debut of her act at the [[Musée Guimet]] on March 13, 1905. The most celebrated segment of her act was her progressive shedding of clothing until she wore just a jeweled [[Brassiere|bra]] and some ornaments over her arms and head. Another landmark performance was the appearance at the Moulin Rouge in 1907 of an actress called Germaine Aymos who entered dressed only in three very small shells. In the 1930s the famous [[Josephine Baker]] danced semi-nude at the Folies and other such performances were provided at the [[Tabarin]]. These shows were notable for their sophisticated choreography and dressing the girls in glitzy sequins and feathers. By the 1960s "fully nude" shows were provided at such places as [[Crazy Horse (cabaret)|Le Crazy Horse Saloon]]. | ||
| == See also == | == See also == | ||
Revision as of 12:22, 5 October 2008
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A striptease or exotic dance is a form of erotic entertainment, usually a dance, in which the performer, known as a 'stripper', gradually undresses to music.
World origins
The origins of striptease as a performance art are disputed and various dates and occasions have been given from ancient Babylonia to twentieth century America. In terms of myth the first recorded striptease is related in the ancient Sumerian story of the descent of the goddess Inanna into the Underworld (or Kur). At each of the seven gates, she removed an article of clothing or a piece of jewelry. As long as she remained in hell, the earth was barren. When she returned, fecundity abounded. Some believe this myth was embodied in the dance of the seven veils of Salome, who danced for King Herod, as mentioned in the New Testament in Matthew 14:1-12 and Mark 6: 14-29. However, although the Bible records Salome's dance, the first mention of her removing seven veils occurs in Oscar Wilde's play of 'Salome', in 1893: which some have claimed as the origin of modern striptease. After Wilde's play and Richard Strauss's operatic version of the same, first performed in 1905, the erotic 'dance of the seven veils', became a standard routine for dancers in opera, vaudeville, film and burlesque. A famous early practitioner was Maud Allan who in 1907 gave a private performance of the dance to King Edward VII.
Empress Theodora, wife of VIth century Byzantine emperor Justinian is reported by several ancient sources to have started in life as a courtesan and actress who performed in acts inspired from mythological themes and in which she disrobed "as far as the laws of the day allowed". Form these accounts, it appears that the practice was hardly exceptional nor new. It was, however, actively opposed by the Christian Church, which succeeded in obtaining statutes banning it in the following century. The degree to which these statutes were subsequently enforced is, of course, opened to question. What is certain is that no practice of the sort is reported in texts of the European Middle Ages.
Other possible influences on modern striptease were the dances of the Ghawazee "discovered" and seized upon by French colonists in nineteenth century North Africa and Egypt. The erotic dance of the bee performed by a woman known as Kuchuk Hanem, was witnessed and described by the French novelist Gustave Flaubert. In this dance the performer disrobes as she searches for an imaginary bee trapped within her garments. It is likely that the women performing these dances did not do so in an indigenous context, but rather, responded to the commercial climate for this type of entertainment. Middle Eastern belly dance, also known as Oriental Dancing, was popularized in the US after its introduction on the Midway at the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago by a dancer known as Little Egypt.
French tradition
The People's Almanac credited the origin of striptease as we know it to an act in 1890s Paris in which a woman slowly removed her clothes in a vain search for a flea crawling on her body. At this time Parisian shows such as the Moulin Rouge and Folies Bergere pioneered semi-nude dancing and tableaux vivants. In 1905, the notorious and tragic Dutch dancer Mata Hari, later shot as spy by the French authorities during World War One, was an overnight success from the debut of her act at the Musée Guimet on March 13, 1905. The most celebrated segment of her act was her progressive shedding of clothing until she wore just a jeweled bra and some ornaments over her arms and head. Another landmark performance was the appearance at the Moulin Rouge in 1907 of an actress called Germaine Aymos who entered dressed only in three very small shells. In the 1930s the famous Josephine Baker danced semi-nude at the Folies and other such performances were provided at the Tabarin. These shows were notable for their sophisticated choreography and dressing the girls in glitzy sequins and feathers. By the 1960s "fully nude" shows were provided at such places as Le Crazy Horse Saloon.
See also
