“Art is one of loneliness’s best cures.”
That quote from Apollinaire Scherr is part of an interesting dialogue with another dance blogger, Dan Fox. I’m not sure that the mitutiae would be as fascinating to most readers of this blog as it is to me (I was weaned on dance crit and interactive theory, and reading their exchange is like coming home, in a way).
However, one particular part does have some direct relevance to the popular cultural performing arts this blog covers. Dan conveys the idea that watching a dance is a passive activity, and wonders how more "participatory culture" would enhance an audience’s experience. Scherr responds, in part:
"Art–any kind, as long as it’s good–offers an especially charged form of engagement. The artist has created a singular experience for you–to pull you out of yourself so that when you return there will be more to you."
Frankly, I wanted to stand up and cheer. YES! And that is easy in some disciplines, such as ballet or sculpture; hundreds of years of "market testing" has shown artists what will work and what won’t in terms of audience response. Of course a lot of artists shun these rules, and thank god for that; it furthers the human aesthetic. Often (I’m thinking of some of the recent fare at PS122, or Twyla’s recent disaster with Dylan’s music) trying to break the rules causes a rift and the audience can’t make that connection with the work.
Others exploit the techniques ("Painter of Light", anyone?) and, well, at best I suppose they’re harmless. They form a bland sort of connection, much like in a relationship where you sacrifice the passion and pain for a humdrum, comfortable existence. It’s safe; but it’s not really enriching.
However, I think there is a more participatory form that is wending its way down the pipe, thanks to reality TV. Recent studies show that what people want more of on TV is: dancing. What? Yes, that’s right, I said dancing. Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, these are hits, now, and the producers are taking note–as are the advertisers.
And Dan Fox has, I’m sure, noticed the online presence–the fan blogs, the video clips (both on the site and on YouTube and such), with extra material such as podcasts that teach basic dance steps and "behind the scenes" blogs (similar to the ABT’s Winger ) that let the audience become even more invested in the actual show.
This is, I think, the kind of in-depth research and involvement that will make the audience care more about the art, make it beyond things like simple titillation. Sure, they are using drama and no, I would not call Tom Jones or Lionel Richie Fine Art–but when’s the last time a live orchestra was playing on a stage? This is a renaissance of sorts, and I’m mightily encouraged.
It speaks to the masses, and I would be very surprised if troupes such as ABT aren’t negotiating now for a reality show "behind the scenes." It worked for Cirque du Soleil on Bravo; watching what happens behind the scenes in prep for a Broadway show, a dance concert, or any other venue would be, I think, a major draw.
We shall see.
Tags: Dancing with the Stars, dance, performing arts, television, tv, audience
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