Icetalavista
Well-Known Member
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After the “Summertime” posts in the Espoo FD thread, I thought I’d start this.
When I think CA, I think of skaters who use other cultures’ music/style without respect. Since their skate bios list their music, it can’t be argued that they aren’t giving credit.
Case in point: Domnina/Shabalin’s Australian Aboriginal program. Cliched and clueless.
But then you have the Aussie team which also did an Aboriginal program, who made an effort to research, consult, and respect the culture.
Case in point: the multiple single/ dance couples whose choreographers think Indian dance is entirely defined by cliched “walk like an Egyptian” arms/hands.
But then you have Davis/White’s Indian folk RD with brilliant attention to detail, and lots of praise from Indians who watched it online.
The “ Summertime” debate is trickier because the tune has moved beyond being associated solely with the musical/opera.
Which brings me to my two questions: are skaters of a given background really just supposed to stay in their cultural silos? No surprise that I think that’s ridiculous. But also- are skaters really supposed to reflect the entire theme of a piece of music when they skate to just one or a few pieces excerpted from that piece?
Really? Discuss.
When I think CA, I think of skaters who use other cultures’ music/style without respect. Since their skate bios list their music, it can’t be argued that they aren’t giving credit.
Case in point: Domnina/Shabalin’s Australian Aboriginal program. Cliched and clueless.
But then you have the Aussie team which also did an Aboriginal program, who made an effort to research, consult, and respect the culture.
Case in point: the multiple single/ dance couples whose choreographers think Indian dance is entirely defined by cliched “walk like an Egyptian” arms/hands.
But then you have Davis/White’s Indian folk RD with brilliant attention to detail, and lots of praise from Indians who watched it online.
The “ Summertime” debate is trickier because the tune has moved beyond being associated solely with the musical/opera.
Which brings me to my two questions: are skaters of a given background really just supposed to stay in their cultural silos? No surprise that I think that’s ridiculous. But also- are skaters really supposed to reflect the entire theme of a piece of music when they skate to just one or a few pieces excerpted from that piece?
Really? Discuss.