I recently had a conversation with a modern dancer who also practices belly dancing. I asked her in what style she concentrates: Turkish or Egyptian. She stated that she basically studies the fundamentals of the different styles and has created a style that is specifically her own. She said as an American she would never be an expert on Turkish, Egyptian or any other form of belly dancing. The dancing has become something new because her American body is the medium through which this dance is created. With this understanding she has abandoned the concept of trying to emulate a specific Turkish or Egyptian style.
This conversation reminded of some points made in “Indigenous Bodies and Contested Texts” When the indigenous population took on the dramas of the Catholic plays the plays were transformed from the original intentions of the Spaniards. That transformation makes me believe that the art is truly in the hands of the performer. Within theatre hierarchy one can only hold the playwright as the highest point if that playwright’s words are being interpreted through performers with the same interpretation of the world as he. The performer of a different culture takes the text and transforms it. This transformation may be intentional or unintentional.
I believe that the merger of the different cultures’ art through the performers is the very height of creativity. A new art form that is neither old world or new world is born and this is the soul of art. No idea is ever independent of each other and so the creation of new forms from merging of cultures is a very significant phenomenon.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
I connected with this response because I strongly feel that through our experiences, journeys and individuality we create art that is unique to us. Their is nothing more stifling than to be labeled or put into a box. As theatre artist we are constantly critiqued and picked up apart. In the process, many artist begin to mold their work into what they "think" people will want to see from them. When this happens, the true essence of what you have to bring to the world is disconnected. People who paved the way artistically are the ones who trusted their instincts, nurtured their gift and talents and presented it to the world despite what others may think.
Their is a tremendous amount of freedom and delight in just being you and not reflecting on how it's received or appreciated. Knowing that what you are creating is true to you and whoever connects to it is suppose to connect to it!
Post a Comment