Broken Wings: The Ballet Inspired by Frida Kahlo

Photo by Laurent Liotardo. Courtesy of artist.

My admiration for Frida Kahlo began when I was 18. My mom took me to the Philadelphia Museum of Art to see the Frida Kahlo exhibit. At the time, I had not the faintest idea of who Frida Kahlo was. However, I instantly became enamored by her artwork and life story. As the years progressed, Kahlo’s popularity has grown. Now, it seems that Kahlo’s image is emblazoned everywhere. Her image can be seen in just about every medium--from t-shirts, puzzles, magnets, dolls, and, now, dance.

The English National Ballet premiered the performance of Broken Wings on Wednesday, April 22 and will premier different performances every Wednesday. Broken Wings depicts pivotal moments in Frida Kahlo’s life and was choreographed by Colombian-Belgian artist Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. The ballet provides viewers with a colorful and vivid performance.

The ballet begins with the tragic bus accident that greatly impacted the rest of Frida Kahlo’s life. Frida’s recovery from the bus accident was marked by periods of despair as she was confined to her bed due to being in a full-body cast. To help cope with her recovery, Kahlo began to paint. It was during this time that she painted her first self-portrait - which would become one of many. She soon recovered from the accident and continued to paint. Through her career as an artist, she reconnected with Mexican muralist, Diego Rivera. Their tumultuous relationship, as well as her poor health, soon became the subject of many of her paintings.

Throughout the ballet performance, Kahlo’s paintings are brought to life. Common elements in her paintings such as family, grief, animals, nature, and rebirth are portrayed by the dancers' movements and costumes, as well as music. Broken Wings exemplifies the perseverance Kahlo possessed throughout her life, right until the end.

If you are interested in learning more about Frida Kahlo, check out the titles below - all available through hoopla.

Frida
(Movie) A product of humble beginnings, Frida Kahlo earned fame as an artist with a unique vision. From her enduring friendship with her mentor and husband, Diego Rivera, to her scandalous affairs, her uncompromising personality inspired her greatest creations.

Frida Kahlo by Zena Alkayat and Nina Cosford
Step into the world of one of history's most celebrated artists and feminist icons: Frida Kahlo. This beautifully illustrated biography is full of colorful details that illuminate the woman behind the artwork, including excerpts from Kahlo's personal letters and diaries on her childhood dreams of becoming a doctor, the accident that changed the course of her life, and her love affairs with famous artists. Featuring handwritten text alongside lovely illustrations, Library of Luminaries: Frida Kahlo provides a captivating window into the vibrant life, work, and creative vision of the beloved Mexican artist.

Frida Kahlo: Beneath the Mirror by Gerry Souter
Behind Frida Kahlo's portraits lies the story of both her life and work. It is precisely this combination that draws the reader in. Frida's work is a record of her life, and rarely can we learn so much about an artist from what she records inside the picture frame. Frida Kahlo truly is Mexico's gift to the history of art. She was just eighteen years old when a terrible bus accident changed her life forever, leaving her handicapped and burdened with constant physical pain. But her explosive character, raw determination and hard work helped to shape her artistic talent.

-- by Michelle Rodriguez, Robbinsville Branch