Thesis Chapters by Kathryn LeBere
After the 1917 Russian Revolution, the Soviets were faced with the difficult task of revolutioniz... more After the 1917 Russian Revolution, the Soviets were faced with the difficult task of revolutionizing ballet, an imperial art form based in tradition. Since Marxist philosophy suggested that the ruling class would be invested with cultural hegemony, the Soviets were aware that a distinctly "proletarian" consciousness was expected to emerge, eventually superseding the imperial high culture of pre-revolutionary Russia. For ballet, this philosophy led to the rejection of classical balletic rules during the Cultural Revolution (1927-1932). Analyzing the ballet repertoire after 1932, however, it becomes clear that the Soviets abandoned their dreams of proletarian art at the expense of their doctrine of Socialist Realism and general Communist ideological influence. This paper situates ballet history within Soviet cultural history to analyze ballet's transformation during the late 1920s and early 1930s. Through discussion of the initial interpretations of proletarian ballet, the repertoire's reversion to classicalism after 1932, and the regime's official denunciation of proletarian ballet after Bright Stream, I argue that the regime began a complicated negotiation with the old intelligentsia to restore the excellence of the stage. The Soviet leadership promoted classical ballet to enlighten the masses, create social harmony, provide entertainment desired by audiences, and further socialism's development.
Papers by Kathryn LeBere
Linked Infrastructure for Networked Cultural Scholarship (LINCS), 2022
This blog post reflects upon the development of a linked open data vocabulary for early modern Lo... more This blog post reflects upon the development of a linked open data vocabulary for early modern London place types with REED London Online, Map of Early Modern London, and The Digital Ark.
Digital Tattoo, 2022
This guest post explores how a person’s passive online habits contribute to real-world power imba... more This guest post explores how a person’s passive online habits contribute to real-world power imbalances in the digital world. Using the context of the shifting digital divide as the backdrop, this article explores the biases of Big Data and how passive online activity can be used by companies and advertisers to harm underprivileged communities.
PLVS VLTRA, 2021
Lacking a mechanical means to measure time, the Aztecs-who were passionate studiers of the cosmos... more Lacking a mechanical means to measure time, the Aztecs-who were passionate studiers of the cosmos-calculated duration by tracking the paths of the sun, moon, stars, constellations, and planets. By counting the days elapsed between the rising and setting of celestial bodies, the Aztecs made many important astronomical discoveries which helped them develop a sophisticated calendrical system. This paper examines the interconnections and complexities of the tonalpohualli, the xiuhpohualli, the Calendar Round, and the related xiuhmolpilli or "New Fire Ceremony." In doing so, the integral role of calendars in Aztec life is explored, including their use in creating societal meaning and order, reinforcing hierarchies, and demonstrating the hegemonic power of the state.
The Corvette, 2018
In 1976, the Parti Québécois won a majority in Quebec under the leadership of René Lévesque. Shor... more In 1976, the Parti Québécois won a majority in Quebec under the leadership of René Lévesque. Short of stature, balding, and with a cigarette in hand, Lévesque seemed like an unlikely personality to become premier at first glance. However, by embracing Quebec nationalism and remaining determined through times of hardship, Lévesque was able to prove himself as a politician. Through the analysis of his political career from 1960 to 1976, it becomes clear that Lévesque rose to power because of the reputation he fostered in Jean Lesage’s cabinet, the decision he made to leave the Quebec Liberal Party in 1967, and the changes he made to the Parti Québécois after the 1974 election.
The Albatross, 2019
In Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales (1387-1400), the arboreal is imbued with symbolic and ... more In Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales (1387-1400), the arboreal is imbued with symbolic and allegorical meaning. Used by Chaucer as rhetorical devices, the trees in "The Merchant's Tale" symbolize fertility, while the tree in "The Pardoner's Tale" symbolizes death. In both tales, the arboreal functions allegorically, representing the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden. By using nature in this manner, Chaucer creates ambiguity in his work, complicating the idea of knowledge in both tales.
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Thesis Chapters by Kathryn LeBere
Papers by Kathryn LeBere