I know!! That's what throws me off about Alla Kushnir. I've seen her before, and 50% of the time I'm spellbound, the other 50% I'm running away from my computer, screaming.
She does some nice things here.
But the first half of this next one just feels like a circus act. She's not following the music.
I understand that in generic competitions like this, a contestant may not have as much creative control as he or she might have in a contest that is specific to their genre. They may be told what music to use, or what is required to do in the next round. However, that being said...
...if I had the decision whether or not to enter a contest that would not present my art (bellydance) in the way I feel in my good conscience should be presented (especially to the non-BD GP), then I wouldn't enter such a competition, regardless of the exposure it would give my art, or to me personally. Especially if it's a show known for gawking, eyeball-stalked judges. It's not worth all the hard work I and others put out in the effort to show that bellydance is not some hoochie-coochie tease-dance meant to make grown men act like idiots. If I appear to be on some high moral ground, so be it. I'm tired of the way bellydance is still misrepresented just to gain exposure. If we're going to do it, let's do it right.
I agree. I mean, one could accuse me of being judgmental, but I expect a level of professionalism when one has reached that caliber of bellydancing. This includes not only technique, musicality, and knowledge, but also marketing and self-presentation. Part of that professionalism is how you present any type of performance, whether it is bd, non bd, or fusion.
Not my cup of tea, not something I'd encourage my nieces to watch, but not the sort of disservice to bellydance that I'd get worked up about either.
I do agree with you on this, and the rest of your post as well. To be fair, this is not any different from any other music video in this music genre.
I think acts like this are more damaging to belly dance when you get a 12 week graduate with such a huge GP viewership, because you'll search the dancer after and see that she just flat out can't belly dance well at all... in any clip.
Sophie Mei - Britain's Got Talent Semi-Final 2008 - YouTube
Where as at least when they search Alla after they'll find clips with the real deal and good dancing.
Just my two cents anyway
MissVega said:Exact same performance, exact same audience, two completely different views and interpretations. It's just been my experience that if someone is going to sexualize you, they're going to sexualize you.
Perhaps voluntarily becoming a sexual object gives women some power over themselves and others. Long ago and far away in another universe, I danced in a situation where I realized that men in the audience were willing to give me whatever I wanted for an hour of my time. It was frightening- and it was exhilerating, some of the first personal power I ever experienced. In that way, I can understand why these women follow through on careers that allow them to experience this power over and over.
But to quote my beautiful friend, "I never give them what they want. That's how I keep my power."
Hmmm. How did I get on this soap box? Excuse me while I climb down. :lol:
But to quote my beautiful friend, "I never give them what they want. That's how I keep my power."
Hmmm. How did I get on this soap box? Excuse me while I climb down. :lol: