The Winter Olympic Games offer a chance to see all manner of dazzling, daring, dramatic, and death-defying feats. But figure skating and ice dancing are unique in their ability to capture the imagination of an audience.
Figure skating is as much an art as a it is a sport. In addition to challenging technical elements, skating performances showcase a high degree of creativity, expression, and musical interpretation.
And yet, it's only the rare performance that stays in our heats and minds long after the scoring has been judged.
What, beyond technical merit, makes one performance stand out among the rest?
Establishing Connection
We notice the elements that each skater or pair performs: the perfect jumps, the flowing lines, the creative footwork. We acknowledge that these elements are extremely challenging.
But the finest performances inspire us at an involuntary level. We find ourselves smiling, tearing up, or simply staring in amazement.
The elements are still there - we see them, but we don't feel the way that we do because someone just landed a difficult jump or performed an inventive lift. We feel an emotional connection with the performance. We feel pure inspiration.
Alternate Applications
This distinction applies to dance and other performing arts. The finest performances go to a level beyond technique and figures. The audience feels a connection with the artist.
But this phenomenon occurs in social dancing, as well. Connection is more critical than complexity. Connection with the music. Connection with a partner. Moving together as one. This is where the magic happens.
Establish the connection. Experience the magic.
¡Buena suerte, amigos, y muchas gracias!
Daniel
Copyright © 2014 The Exploring Tango Blog
All Rights Reserved
No comments:
Post a Comment