In Argentina, Tango Dance is a very rich part of the culture. It is said that Buenos Aires gave birth to the popular dance style in the 1880s.
It was a time of significant immigration for Argentina as people came from Spain, Italy, France, Germany and Poland. The new foreigners would gather in brothels as a way to meet women and socialize. For entertainment, a solo flute or guitar would strum a pleasant melody while the couples danced and laughed.
As the years went by, the dancers often spilled out into the streets and the dance spread throughout the city. The musicians formed bands, lyrics were written and story telling became part of the new art form. While ballrooms or dance clubs grew across the countryside, the street performers remained a strong part of life in Buenos Aires.
Numerous movies and performances have spread the beauty of Tango around the world. Studios teach the moves and techniques to dancers of all ages.
Yo-Yo Ma said “The tango is really a combination of many cultures, though it eventually became the national music of Argentina.” Whether you think about the music or the dance, it was born out of an immigrant mix.
It is impossible to watch a performance without feeling the emotions of the piece. Watching the dancers glide across the stage, kick and turn, and lift and spin is breathtaking. It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand the lyrics, you can feel the story.
I am amazed that it continues to be a street art in Buenos Aires. After 100 years, I would think the people would loose interest, or move onto something new. Dance moves come and go – think of the “Jitter Bug” or the “Twist”.
The cultural heritage in Argentina is rich with Tango. Maybe it is the mixture of cultures that makes it strong and enduring. You know, the sum of the parts is greater than the pieces. Maybe it is the story telling within the dance moves that captivates an audience.
I hope you enjoy the video performance from Buenos Aires. Dance performances come in many styles with diverse cultural backgrounds. I’m going to look at my community arts calendar and go see a dance performance. The music, the passion… why not go and experience it?! Joy
I believe there is an artistic spirit in everyone. The spirit is felt in different ways, but we all have one. While mine doesn’t usually produce art, I enjoy seeing the beauty (or not) or other people’s vision.
Spending the day at an arts festival is a wonderful opportunity to see a local artworks and meet today’s artists. Being a part of the art scene is exciting.
Next week, the Feria de Arte in Boquete, Panama is exploring the artistic spirit with a exciting demonstration on a very unique canvas.
Panamanian artist, Alexis Benalcazar uses a human body as his canvas to create his one of a kind pieces. Some would consider him a performance artist, because the act of painting is part of the art piece.
Benalcazar is drawing upon the recent popularity of tattoos and expanding beyond his usual fabric canvas. While his piece is temporary, it is very emotional and makes his artistic statement.
Body art, has been part of many cultures for years. Otzi, the Ice Man found in caves dating back to the 4th century B.C. , Egyptian mummies and even Julius Caesar were all tattooed. Some cultures tattoo for spiritual rights of passage, memorials or magical beliefs.
The permanent inking of the skin has become fashionable in recent years. More artists are learning the techniques and improvements in inks and equipment have made it safer.
However you feel about getting body art, it is a part of our rich cultural and artistic heritage. Whether temporary, or permanent it is an expression of creativity and artistic spirit.
Everyday my local tattoo shop is creating art for people. It’s an artistic collaboration between the artist and the patron whose body is the canvas. I don’t have to wait for the next arts festival, I could go to a shop and see what’s being done right now.
Do you have a tattoo? I don’t. I’m not sure what kind of image my artistic spirit would create that I would want on me forever.
If you have a tattoo, what did your inner artist create? I’d love to hear about the significance of the image and your experience. All the best, Joy
Fashion and Paris go together. Fashionistas and celebrities travel from all of the world to see the latest creations from the design houses. Clothing designers are some of the most popular artists of our time.
The great French fashion names are well known – Chanel, Dior, Vuitton, Hermes and Yves Saint Laurent. Every season there are new, up and coming designers that travel to Paris for their time in the spotlight.
This video clip is from a newer designer, Gareth Pugh and I liked how it gave a behind the scenes view. It’s amazing how these shows set the trends and colors for the next fashion season.
Christian Dior once said – “It is not money that makes you well dressed, it’s understanding.”
Understanding the fashion designers can be quite difficult. Are they trying to shock us with an outfit? What is the designer saying with that guarded, almost walled-up jacket? Is that black and white striped skinny pant a “must-buy” this fall?
While most of the clothes on the runways are not going to be worn by the average person, it does give everyone the feeling of sophistication. We follow the celebrities in their glamorous lifestyle and try to bring it into our own lives. If you think about it, understanding how clothing reflects our personality is easy.
Taking the time to put on an outfit and makeup, just makes a person feel better. Dior was right, I don’t have to spend a lot of money, it just takes effort. Why do I always wear the same jeans and t-shirt? It’s no wonder that nothing exciting ever happens in life, is it?
So today, go look in your closet and find something colorful, or flirty, or powerful. Pick out shoes that make you stand tall and proud. Add a great necklace or scarf and don’t forget the lip gloss.
Imagine you’re in Paris on that runway and go strut your stuff!
