Modern media kills the organic process?

I recently had a discussion with Read My Hips' director Stephanie Barto about the effect of the internet and on-demand media on the natural organic progression of art. I think performance art struggles in particular in the new millenium, victim of the "glazed over eyes after 60 seconds" and "that was so 5 minutes ago" attitudes, in a way that visual art does not.


Here is a snippet of what she shared (which is in part a discussion she was having with another dancer), and my thoughts in return:

Dancer A: "The internet has so much influence over the spread of tribal belly dance. I wonder if the internet just kills everything because it doesn't let it grow naturally."

SB: "It's also interesting how tribal bellydance in the days before social
networking and YouTube was a much smaller world, and did tend to evolve in a more organic ways. (My troupe) is an example ... I started with Carolena's foundation, and the ways I changed it were all about making it more "me" and/or being inspired by the skills of the people I was working with. What I arrived at felt honest, even if it wasn't anything shockingly innovative or spectacular in the big scheme of things."

My response to these observations after the jump.

Enthusiasm=youth

"None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm."
Henry David Thoreau

Gabi Rojas on SYTYCD

I can't wait to see what else she brings to this show this season!!



I love that she got a standing ovation from the entire group, and that Nigel who "doesn't want to say anything more at this point" goes on and on and on about her. Her storytelling was incredible, her choreography was amazing...I give it a big Mary "WAAHHAHHHHAAAAAA!"

Being a good lead/follow

"A good lead/follow is like a good conversation - you don't have to yell, you only need to talk. As you get better, all you really need to do is whisper. "

SYTYCD Rubbernecking

Rubbernecking is so common, last night's So You Think You Can Dance garnered the same reactions from reviewers. Today I got tons of forwards and mentions of the "crazy girl doing the Star Wars dance," but no mentions of the INCREDIBLE first dancer and her completely amazing and unique choreography, nor the last two dancers who made the judges cry they were so powerful.

OH MY GAWD! My friends, did you see the 2 hour premier? I can't wait to see what this season has in store!

Edit: Thanks to Makeda for reminding me her name is Gabi Rojas!!