Life as we know it is all about security and changes.
We live our lives with a certain mundane jadedness from our daily life experience creating our point of view. We bath in the same manner daily. We dress in the same manner. Do put your right foot shoe on first then left one. Or do you do the oposite, left then right?
Occasionally, we need to be jarred out of this mundance life and woken up. The start of the new year is an excellent time for new beginnings. In this vein I offer this essay.
One of the unspoken
One of the unspoken tenants of the artworld is to shake things up, to create change. to create a reaction, but not all art is meant to do this.
Some art is about beauty
Other art is about geometry
While others encourage tactile interaction.
Art sometimes is very ugly and oversized.
We recently went to see the show at La Pedrera of work by Cristina Inglesias. I was not familiar with her work. She is a Spanish artist living in Madrid working as a sculptor, mixed media artist for many years. These artworks are created on a grand scale. Organic in nature defining the spaces of nature while limiting and sculpting our viewpoints. The materials used were not disclosed, but based on experience the mediums are bronze, copper sheeting, resins, fiberglass and glass.
On the upper floors
On the upper floors of La Pedrera, our eyes are drawn to the long, narrow, suspended, woven metal sculpture that defines the room. Showing us the positive and negative space in our surroundings.
There are wall photos printed on mammoth copper sheets, and then these intimate bronze water feature pieces.
Her works are about the geological collisions and erosion that shape the environment. Here, water wells are dynamic, with the water rising and sinking, much like the tides, but they are confined to a bronze and marble box. Mimicking nature.
We spent about 90 minutes looking at and absorbing the show. We were the only folks there for most of the time. Although a family of four from China, I think, found themselves a bench and sat, and communicated with the outside world on their phones
The only other attendee of the show was a middle-aged woman who was undoubtedly an artist, as she was very observant, putting her hands on the pieces, which was definitely encouraged. The works are supremely tactile.
The gallery space
The gallery space is located on the second floor of the famous Gaudí-designed building La Pedrera. This space is owned by the foundation, the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation, which offers tours of the building. All monies go to support activities by the Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera. “We have a dream: we want to improve people’s quality of life by generating opportunities that positively transform society.”
My partner, Maximo, who is not a big fan of contemporary art, enjoyed the show as much as I did.
As in life, there are situations in the art world where we are drawn to observe the work intimately. Looking at the intersection of lines, looking into corners. Touching the edges, watching the water ebb and flow in their marble and bronze enclosures.
These regimes all serve a purpose. They are meant to awaken our eyes and feelings to the world around us. To see the beauty and to consider how we react to these new stimuli.
By now having read this far
By now, having read this far in the story, you are likely asking yourself what is going on here. Why are you spending so much time on artworld observations?
A fact that, you might not know is that I was the director of a contemporary art gallery for 35 years and I feel strongly about supporting and viewing culture.
Now you can ask, How does this relates to tango? As this is Blog that is about the art of traveling and dancing tango.
First and foremost
First and foremost, in my observation, tango is a dance of the heart, one that fosters a poignant connection with your dance partner. It’s an emotional and physical connection. Tango is an artform.
Traveling extensively to dance Tango, we have danced in Argentina, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, France, Germany, Turkey, the United States, Canada, Jordan, and Spain. With this in mind, I suggest that we have some experience in tango, whether it involves dancing or simply sitting at a table and observing.
We have attended Encuentros, Marathons, Festivals, and numerous local milingas.
The following descriptions and observations are made based on our travels and experiences.
Many countries develop
Many countries developed their own style of tango, but this will depend on the age of the dancers. For instance, in Istanbul, the younger generation wants to showcase all the steps they have learned and move quickly no matter what the music. They do crazy things like a high gero kick in a crowded space. Watch out, I have seen them draw blood with their heels. While in the same city, some middle-aged dancers prefer to dance in a traditional close-embrace Argentine tango style. The range of music varies depending on the style of the DJs and the venue.
In Italy, we went to an Encountro where it was almost impossible to get a tanda. I have danced for many years, but here I didn’t know anyone except my partner, Maximo. To attend an Encountro, one must register promptly when the registration process opens, as attendance is usually limited to fewer than 150 dancers. Many individuals get qualified to attend this event by applying early and using their Facebook or Instagram page as their calling card, demonstrating proof that they have danced a close-embrace tango. These events can be very cozy and friendly affairs.
In the Encuentro world
In the Encuentro world, many people know each other from previous encounters. In some situations, people only dance with those they already know. There is a stronger dance connection in an Encountro, as the number of attendees is much smaller and the genders are more evenly represented. Having attended a few, I have found this to be true. The level of dancing is a bit above average, and the embraces can be pretty delightful. With a smaller group of people, it’s somewhat easier to meet and make new dance friends.
Festivals often feature well known maestro couples who offer classes. They perform tango demonstrations nightly typically in the evenings and late at night. Many students attend classes that mainly focus on learning new steps or patterns. These events, in my experience, attract a varied group of dancers, ranging from those with little experience to those who are very accomplished. At these events, there is no pre-qualification for admission to the Festival; you need to pay for all your classes and milongas in advance. Typically, accommodations are offered at a discounted price, making the experience more enticing. Attending your first Festival with your group of friends is advisable, as city festivals typically attract between 400 and 700 people.
Lastly, there are the Tango Marathons
Lastly, there are the Tango Marathons; where one can dance tango all night long, and continuing until dawn the next day. Milongas typically begin in the evening at 10 pm finishing up at 6 am. Another milonga takes place in the late afternoon from 3 pm until 7 pm. No maestros are featured. No classes or workshops are held. There is not as much gender balancing when selecting admissions, either.
Many experienced dancers attended these events, trying to make sense of it all as its three or four days of continuous dancing. The event may be both, an adventure and a homecoming.
However, for me, my favorite places to dance tango are the local milongas, where you have the chance to meet the people who live in that city. We have had frequent happy interactions in many of the smaller cities in Turkey, such as Izmir and Samsun. In France, it was Toulouse. In Spain, notable cities include Granada, Valencia, and, of course, Barcelona.
In tango, it’s vital
In tango, it’s vital to pay attention to the music, your partner, and the floor. As in any of the aforementioned Encountros, Festivals, Marathons, or local milonga, it’s essential to put your best attitude forward. Leave the shopping list at the door, the bitchiness too.
Have a glass of wine, sit, and watch the world of dancers go by, in your mind speculate as to which dancer would be delicious to held in their close embrace. Perhaps they are someone you know or yet someone more exciting because you don’t know them. Maybe this is their first visit to this milonga. You can help them to enjoy a new place, a new embrace, and a new tanda. You can get out of your confort zone.
After all, every time you dance with someone, whether a new partner or an old one, the experience will be different. Make it shine. Make it unique. And allow the music to enter your body. You dance with all your corazon.
And after all is said and done
And after all is said and done, perhaps you will feel a little different, perhaps a bit brighter or lighter.
A little bit more alive!!.
Go do something out of your comfort zone, whether an art exhibition or a movie. Catch up with an old acquaintance. Try sone new out. Let me know how it went by sending a comment!
Enjoy life to it’s fullest after all we are not practicing life, but living to the fullest.
Abrazo
Links:
https://cristinaiglesias.com/es/obras/
https://www.fundaciocatalunya-lapedrera.com/en
https://www.barcelona-life.com/barcelona/gaudi
https://www.edenart.com/news/why-is-art-important
