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December 14, 2005

Perhaps An Inevitable Shift

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The concept of New York’s no longer being the dance capital of the world is an analog for America’s place in the world in general. One could ask that if America has become the world’s lone super-power so why can’t America maintain its hegemony in dance and other cultural forms as well? Fortunately, the world is a more complicated place than America would have it be and creativity follows its own paths. New York had a particularly wonderful run when America was still a beacon for more than simply economic success. Now, part of the sense of endless possibilities that fueled the sense of excitement that New York of the 50s, 60s, and 70s represented has moved elsewhere.

Perhaps, we all should lament this but the drift is much larger than simply New York or simply the dance community or how much funding is available for any sector of the arts community. Nonetheless, New York remains one of the most vibrant cities in the world with plenty of fascinating work. (I have to say, Tere, I thought better of Moving Out.)

Posted by at December 14, 2005 3:41 PM

COMMENTS

Does dance need a capital? The fact about New York is that there are still a lot of us 'round here. That means we are more likely to see and/or participate in each others' work. Does that direct exposure spur the aggregate artistic output qualitatively or make us more likely to be derivative? Or both?

What we might need is a watering hole, which, as here, could be and often is in cyberspace meaning that it doesn't currently matter where we are geographically.

Re Nigel's question as to why America can't retain hegemony in dance: America doesn't value dance. New York dance (and arts) in particular has only one currency of value: cool. And it's been stolen from us time and again as we've cultivated cool in each new marginalized neighborhood, only to be priced out once the folks with the bucks catch up with us. Seems we should worry less about finding funding to produce work and instead get funding to buy real estate.

Posted by: Gail Accardi at December 14, 2005 6:49 PM













 

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