Wednesday 14 August 2019

Anna Aragno

I created this as a website for my cousin about thirteen years ago, but unfortunately the web host recently deleted the site without warning. I am attempting to recreate the site on this blog. Next I shall caption the photographs.


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ANNA ARAGNO, Ballerina: 1962 -1982

Born in Rome, Italy, Anna Aragno began her professional training at the Legat School in England, where, at age thirteen, she was acclaimed a child prodigy by the London Times for her performance of Giselle. Three years later, again in London, she performed the first full length three act Raymonda to be seen in the west. Early recognition of her precocious talent and star qualities catapulted her to winning many medals and awards in national competitions, as well as a scholarship to dance and study at the Bolshoi Ballet, in Moscow. Barely 18 she found herself dancing soloist parts on the Bolshoi and immense Palace of Congress stages at the Kremlin, in Giselle and Swan Lake. Brought to the United States, a year later, as a recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship, she first performed before American audiences with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, under the auspices of Dame Alicia Markova, where she was rapidly promoted to principal ballerina status performing the last season in the old house and the first in the new Lincoln Center. 

At the “Met” she met her future husband, opera singer Justino Diaz, a union from which two daughters were born, Natascia and Katya.

In 1967, Miss Aragno began a series of guest appearances that led to a flourishing freelance career performing the classical repertoire that spanned over two decades. Balancing motherhood and traveling she performed with many major ballet companies, symphony orchestras and festivals, both in the US and abroad. Picked by and dancing with Rudolf Nureyev with the ballet de Monte Carlo, early in her career, she was described as “Small but sharply honed, with a child-like but strong face, Miss Aragno has a classically refined technique, by temperament vivacious and modern”. Nureyev later again chose her to cover for Dame Margot Fonteyn in their Broadway performances of Marguerite and Armand. Her impressive list of partners, among some of the finest male dancers of the times, included Edward Villella, Helgi Tomasson, Ivan Nagy, Burton Taylor, Nils-Oke Haggbom (of Sweden), Robert Weiss to name just a few. She has appeared on English, Italian, Swedish, Swiss and US television, starring with Villella in two dance specials, and performed original works in Festivals from Jacobs Pillow to Blossom festival, Spoleto, in Italy, and the USA, The Maggio Fiorentino, and Blossom Festival, with orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony (opening their Art Park), the Dallas, Cincinnati, and Detroit Symphonies under Kostelanetz, and with her husband, singing three Brahms songs, in the spectacular “Star Spangled Gala” at the Metropolitan Opera House benefit for the Lincoln Center Library, receiving such accolades as “one of the most beautiful dancers working today”, “a singular tour de force bordering on perfection.”

During the last few years of her career, she had become Helgi Thomasson’s and primarily Edward Villella’s regular partner performing  most of the lyrical/classical ballerina repertoire as well as premiering some new works in the US. Together they opened the Dallas Symphony season in Ravels “Daphnis and Chloe” choreographed by G. Skibine. Their concert tours have drawn gasps and standing ovations throughout America, their dancing hailed as “poetry in motion”. For their performances in ballets such as The Nutracker, Giselle, or pas de deuxes from Swan Lake, Le Corsaire, Don Quixote,  and Romeo and Juliet, they were reviewed as “beauty in strength, beauty in delicacy”, “Miss Aragno projected a softly glowing lyricism that acted as a warming counterfoil to Villella’s muscular fireworks”. 

As part of a Gala evening, her final performance was in a “Russian Dance” choreographed especially for her by Alexander Minz to a rarely played violin solo from Tchaikovsky’s full Swan Lake score.

During university studies for a PhD in Psychology leading to a definitive professional transition from ballerina to psychoanalyst, she traveled as guest teacher, repetiteur, and coach, as well as conducting a year-long comprehensive course at The Lucy Moses School of Music and Dance, NYC, entitled “All About Ballet”. 

“Serene, eloquent, and gloriously musical” are the words Clive Barnes, then of the New York Times, used to describe ballerina Anna Aragno’s stellar performance at Lewison Stadium in New York. She has been internationally acclaimed for her technical brilliance and dramatic abilities; “a very graceful performance as Giselle” (Italy) “a ballerina with a highly polished, effortless technique” (San Juan) “spectacular virtuosity”… “wonderful acting”… (USA). “masterful technique…Aragno is philosophical in the dance”(Bulgaria) “her jump is ebullient; leaps burst through the air”.. an exquisite dancer, a great actress..”(USA) “she made us live her character’s experience”..(Mexico).. “Anna Aragno…shone in her lyrical interpretation of Giselle: her mad scene was very moving, and in the second act, not only her dancing but her unusual acting ability gave the ballet the ambiance it demands”(Dance Magazine) “A dancer of particular grace” (the New Yorker)… “in “Ophelia’s madness” we witnessed great mastery and marvelous interpretive artistry…a ballerina in the great tradition”(Bulgaria). 



ANNA ARAGNO PH.D.
140-142 West End Avenue, 23C
New York, N.Y. 10023
212-362-7342

Born: Rome, Italy.  Educated in England, 1961 GCE; University of London.
La Sorbonne, Paris. 1962 French Literature
1963-1964: Guest of Bolshoi Ballet, Moscow.
1965: Winner, Fulbright Scholarship to U.S.A.
1965-1982: Career as free-lance classical prima ballerina and guest artist.                       Teacher, Ballet coach,and lecturer.  
1982-83: Taught one year course at The Lucy Moses School of Music and Dance, E. Kaufman Center, NYC, “ All About the ballet”  
Resumed academic work in Psychology.
1983: B.A., Empire State College, Human Development.
1986: M.A., New School for Social Research, Graduate Faculty.
    Doctoral Seminars:
        “Metapsychology and Clinical Theory” Dr. A Wilson.
        “Narrative Seminar”: Dr. Jerome Bruner.
Research:  “The Separation-Individuation Process.” A research program on infant development led by P. Nachman, PhD under the supervision of Dr. Margaret Mahler.  
Master’s Thesis: Language and Psychoanalysis.
1984-1986:  Two Hospital Internship Practica:
Payne Whitney Psychiatric Clinic, N.Y. Hospital/Cornell Medical Center. Marlboro State Psychiatric Hospital, New Jersey, working with chronic schizophrenic population.
1984-1986: William Alanson White Institute.
        Seminars: “Emotional Disorders of Childhood”
                      “Models of Therapeutic Change”
1991: Diploma in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Washington Square Institute.
    Certified in Psychoanalysis by National Association for the Advancement         of Psychoanalysis (NCPsaA P911137)
1992: Doctor of Philosophy degree in Psychoanalytic Psychology: The Union Institute.
    Thesis Title:  “Symbolization: Proposing a New Paradigm for a     Psychoanalytic Model of Psychic Transformation.”

1995: Diploma in the Supervision of the Psychoanalytic Process.  The Postgraduate Center for Mental  Health.

1987 --to Present:  Staff and Seminar Faculty; Washington Square Institute: Therapy with individuals, adolescents and couples. NY State License#000121

Private Practice: Specializing in the treatment of creative and performing artists.

Professional Presentations:  
“Interpretation of a Painting: Picasso’s “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon”.
    November, 1992: Training Institute for Mental Health, New York Cit
    December, 1992: Washington Square Institute, New York City.  
 1993 NAAP, National Conference, New York City. Workshop: “Multiculturalism and     Psychoanalysis: The Second Century.”
1993: Invited Speaker: Union Institute Sponsored Seminar Columbia University: “Psychoanalysis Revisioned.”
1994:  Biennial Conference of the New York University Postdoctoral Psychoanalytic     Society, New York City: Paper presentation with Dr. Peter Schlachet, “The Accessibility of Early Experience through the Language of Origin.”
1995:  Division of Psychoanalysis (39) of the American Psychological Association, 15th Annual Spring Meeting, Santa Monica, California.  Psychoanalysis: The Second Centennium.”  Paper presentation:  “Symbolization: Proposing a Developmental     Paradigm for a New Psychoanalytic Theory of Mind.”
1998: Division of Psychoanalysis (39) of the American Psychological Association,18th Annual Spring Meeting, Boston, MA, Book presentation: Meet the Author:     "Symbolization: Proposing a Developmental Paradigm for a New Psychoanalytic     Theory of Mind.”
1999:  Division of Psychoanalysis (39) of the American Psychological Association, 19th Annual Spring Meeting, New York City, Book Presentation: “Forms of Knowledge: A Psychoanalytic Study of Human Communication”
1999:  Invited Speaker:“Psychoanalysis for the 21st Century: Proposals Toward a Unified Theory”   Symposium sponsored by The Psychoanalytic Society of New England East, with C. Brenner and A. N. Shore. Boston, Mass., October 9th.
2001: Division of Psychoanalysis (39) of the American Psychological Association, 21st Annual Spring Meeting, Santa Fe, New Mexico. “The Psychoanalytic Study of Communication in Dyads and Groups”. Aragno-Schlachet. 
2002: Second Joint International Conference, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. July 26-28th   Paper Presentation: “Transforming Mourning; A New Psychoanalytic Perspective on Bereavement”
2002: International Federation for Psychoanalytic Education. 13th, Annual Interdisciplinary  Conference. Fort Lauderdale , October 25th -27th  Paper Presentation: “The Psychoanalytic Situation: A Semantic Space”.
2003: Journal of Psychoanalytic Psychology. Fifth International Conference. Charleston,      S. Carolina, USA. April 23 -27 Book Presentation: “Symbolization: Proposing a   Developmental Paradigm for a New Psychoanalytic Theory of Mind”. 
2005: “Forms of Knowledge” a Conversation Hour for The American Group Psychotherapy Association. Sheraton New York Towers, March 7-12th, 2005
2005: “Artistry in Psychoanalytic Dialogues” Washington Square Institute. Scientific Lecture Series, May 26th 2005
2005: Third Joint International Conference, Capetown, South Africa, August 5-7. “Word Power: A ‘Virtual’ Presentation Exploring the Impact of Language and Semantics on the Human Psyche” 
2007: Division of Psychoanalysis (39) of the APA, 27th Spring Meeting. Toronto, Ontario. Panel Chair: “Variations on the Theme of Empathy” with Drs. Jon Mills and Gilbert Cole. Paper Presentation: “The Language of Empathy” Conversation Hour: “What, exactly, is Artistic, in the Art of Psychoanalytic Dialogues?” 
Workshops and Seminars:  
W.S.I., 1993:  “Working with the Difficult Patient: Guidelines.”
I.C.P., 1994:  “Listening with the Third Ear: Exploring the Psychoanalytic Vision”        Washington Square Institute; Revisiting Freud's Papers on Technique, 1911-1914. 
Awards
Fulbright Scholarship, 1965.
The Florence Rondell Memorial Award.  Best paper on Adolescence,                                                                                                                                                                                                                        The Post Graduate Center for Mental Health, 1998.
Affiliations:  Member Division 39, APA
       International Federation for Psychoanalytic Education.
       Psychoanalytic Member, N.A.A.P.
NAAP Certificate #NCPsyA P911137    NYS License: 000121-1
Language Proficiency: Fluent in English, Italian and French.
Could work in Spanish and Russian with individuals with rudimentary knowledge of   English.

Publications:
1989: “Clinical Vignette,” Notes and Comments. New York: Washington Square     Institute.
1990: “A New Look at Lacan,” Notes and Comments. New York: Washington     Square Institute.
1990:  Book Review: “Psychodynamic Psychotherapy of Borderline Patients” by Otto     Kernberg, Group, 14(3), Fall 1990, 183-185.
1991: “Master of His Universe: A Psychoportrait of Saddam Hussein,” Journal of     Psychohistory, 19(1): 97-108.
1993: Book Review: “Oedipus and Beyond: A Clinical Theory” by Jay Greenberg. Group, 17(2), 115-118.
1994: “The Psychoanalytic Interpretation of a Painting: Picasso’s Les Demoiselles     d’Avignon,” Issues in Psychoanalytic Psychology, March, 16(1).
1995: Aragno,A. & Schlachet, P.J. “The Accessibility of Early Experience through the     Language of Origin,” Psychoanalytic Psychology 13 (1), 23-34.
1995:  Book Review: “Psychoanalysis: Toward the Second Century.” Edited by Arnold M. Cooper, Group, 19(3), 189-191.
1997: Symbolization: Proposing a Developmental Paradigm for a New Psychoanalytic Theory of Mind. Madison, CT: International Universities Press.


1998: “Die So That I May Live! A Psychoanalytic Essay on the Adolescent Girl’s     Struggle To Delimit Her Identity”. In Fenchel, G. (Editor) The Mother Daughter Relationship. New Jersey: Jason Aronson. pp, 84 -148.
2003: “Aragno on Target: A Response”.  JAPA, Vol. 51 Issue #2 p, 730-735
2003: “Transforming Mourning: A New Psychoanalytic Perspective on the Bereavement Process”. Psychoanalysis and Contemporary Thought, Vol. 26 Issue #4 
2005: Forms of Knowledge: A Psychoanalytic Study of Human Communication. Madison, CT:  International Universities Press (in press)
2005: “The Witch’s Tale: Psychoanalytic Method, Methodology and Metapsychology”. Psychologist-Psychoanalyst. Winter, 2005.
2005: “Phantom Willow: A Springtime Reverie on the nature of Memory and Anniversary Reactions.” Psychologist-Psychoanalyst. Spring 2005
2005: Book Review Essay: “The First Idea: How Symbols, Language, and Intelligence Evolved form our Primate Ancestors to Modern Humans” by S.I. Greenspan & S.G Shanker, DaCapo Press 2005. Issues in Psychoanalytic Psychology. Vol.27, No.1 2005   
2005: Book Review: “Woman’s Inhumanity to Woman” by Phyllis Chesler. The American Journal of Psychoanalysis. Vol. 65 No. 2 June 2005
2005: Book Review: “The First Idea: How Symbols, Language, and Intelligence Evolved from our Primate Ancestors to Modern Humans” by S.I.Greenspan& S.G.Shanker, DaCapo Press 2005. The Psychoanalytic Quarterly Vol. 74 No .4
2005: “Googled! On Hiding in the Age of Public Disclosure.”  Psychologist-Psychoanalyst. Fall 2005
2006: “What, exactly, is Artistic in the Art of psychoanalytic dialogue?” Issues in    Psychoanalytic Psychology. Vol.28, No.2 p.123-138 
2009: “Meaning’s Vessel: A Metapsychological Understanding of Metaphor.” Psychoanalytic Inquiry, Vol. 29(1) ( in press)
























WASHINGTON SQUARE INSTITUTE FOR PSYCHOTHERAPY AND MENTAL HEALTH

To:

STAFF THERAPISTS

From:

MARC ANGERS, MA Oxon.;LCSW-R;L.P.;NCPsyA.;Dean & Executive Director

Date:

2/28/2018

Re:

Announcement of Distinguished Scholar in Residence


It is with great pleasure that I announce the formation of a new post at Washington Square Institute, ‘Distinguished Scholar in Residence’, to honor the work and professional career of Dr. Anna Aragno who is highly regarded, both here and abroad, for her many original contributions to the field of Psychoanalytic scholarship. She received her Master’s Degree from the New School for Social Research in 1986 with her Master’s thesis on Language and Psychoanalysis; her Diploma in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy from Washington Square Institute in 1991; her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Psychoanalytic Psychology from The Union Institute in 1992, and a Diploma in the Supervision of the Psychoanalytic Process from The Post Graduate Center for Mental Health in 1995. She has been an affiliated member of our community here at WSI since 1987.

Her career of scholarship in, and practitioner of, psychoanalysis spans more than thirty years and includes two highly acclaimed books: ‘Symbolization: Proposing a Developmental Paradigm for a New Psychoanalytic Model of Mind’ (her doctoral thesis), and (more recently) ‘Forms of Knowledge: A Psychoanalytic Study of Human Communication’. She is also the author of numerous publications of papers, lectures and presentations both in the United States and Europe where she is probably even more well-known both for her theoretical acumen, rigorous intellect and ability to elucidate the complex meta-theoretical issues of contemporary psychoanalytic thinking and practice in the many forms of such expression in today’s Analytic culture, and, as well (and, especially), for developing a new psychoanalytic model of the process of ‘symbolization’.

As Distinguished Scholar in Residence, Dr. Aragno will be available to any member of our community at WSI to offer her expert opinion on any question related to psychoanalytic theory and practice. We look forward to many more years of her distinguished contributions to the field, both here at WSI and throughout the larger community, to all whose reflective self-awareness continues to be formed by Psychoanalytic self-understanding.

Dr. Aragno can be reached at: 212 362-7342.






Natascia Diaz



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