Saturday, February 4, 2017

Blind: Strength In Vulnerability - A Review

Not Your Father's Tango Show

Forget about the bordellos and bar fights of Buenos Aires. You won't find them here. Rather than relying on familiar techniques and sentimental nostalgia, 'Blind: Strength In Vulnerability' forges ahead with a fresh new vision for tango performance in the Twenty-first Century. Unlike more traditional productions, 'Blind' is not a show ABOUT tango, but rather a conceptual view of human interaction told THROUGH the techniques and emotions of this highly expressive dance.

Presented on a minimalist stage with no props, except for two small chairs and elements of the dancers' clothing, 'Blind' unfolds as a series of abstract, geometrically choreographed sequences that explore the dynamics of intimacy and partnership, the highs and the lows, the pain and the joy, expectation and frustration. 

Created by dancers Diego Blanco and Ana Padron and their musical collaborator, bassist and composer Pedro Giraudo, 'Blind' offers a bold and exhilarating examination of life and connection through the art of dance.

To understand what 'Blind' is, we first must acknowledge what it's not. As mentioned above, this production is not nostalgic. It is not a costume piece, nor is it a showcase for technical brilliance. Each of the eight principal dancers is a brilliant performer in his or her own right, but technique is not the focus of the show. You will not walk out of 'Blind' mesmerized by the number of boleos and ganchos that someone managed to do in some small quantum of time. What will impress you is how well the dancers connected with one another. 'Blind' is a study of emotion rather than a frenzy of motion.

The surprising and well-conceived choreography unfolds in layers. The show opens with the most fundamental elements of Argentine Tango performed in daring fashion with geometric precision. Basic elements are then modified slowly and deliberately until increasingly complex variations emerge. At the highest level, the dancers perform the dazzling tricks and lifts of tango fantasia. But again, it's not about the technique; it's about the emotional interaction of the performers.

Those emotions are expressed most clearly in the featured duets. Each couple performs beautifully choreographed tango sequences. - There are multiple partner changes, so the show is not limited to four duets. - But the really fascinating elements of choreography happen in between the dances. I don't want to give anything away, but it's the quiet moments, the moments when the music isn't playing, that make 'Blind' so special.

The original music for the show, composed by Mr. Giraudo, is tasteful and elegant and follows the dynamic changes of the performances brilliantly. Mr. Giraudo brings a bassist's sensitivity to his compositions and arrangements. The music supports the conceptual motives of the production without ever getting in the way or taking focus away from the dancers. A+

I have only two minor criticisms/suggestions to share. First, I would have liked the show to have been a bit longer. One way to achieve this would have been to extend the same-sex sequences. These interactions were fascinating; I would have liked to have seen them developed further. Secondly, the ending came as a bit of a surprise. Initially, I thought that it was an intermission. Again, I believe that a slightly longer running time with a clearer build up would have helped.

'Blind' is an adventurous and enjoyable production. It's definitely not your father's tango show. It's bold. It's daring. It takes chances and delivers a satisfying emotional payoff. Sadly, the initial run at the Brooklyn Academy of Music has closed, but I hope that it will come back. It's well worth seeing. Kudos to the creators for avoiding clichés and bringing a new, exciting, visionary production to life. It's clear that 'Blind' was a labor of love. Mission accomplished. I loved it.


¡Buena suerte amigos, y muchas gracias!
Daniel

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