Great Dance

July 9, 2008

Where's the Fun?

Is it possible that dancing can just be plain, pure fun?

Matt Harding thinks so (Vimeo, YouTube):


Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

I think that the simple beauty, repetitive movement, colorful scenery, diverse cultures, captivating music and highly participatory nature of the dance offers great food for thought.

It all leads me to one question: How come the Internet is rarely used to share the sheer fun of dancing?

Posted by Doug Fox on July 9, 2008 8:27 AM



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4 Comments

jolene said:

Here, here! I totally agree - dance can be so *serious* sometimes. It doesn't even necessarily have to be GOOD.

Added: July 9, 2008 2:04 PM | Permalink

Allison said:

I wonder if this is an example of the type of grassroots movement that can help to bring dance into the mainstream?

Added: July 9, 2008 10:12 PM | Permalink

Doug Fox Author Profile Page said:

Jolene, even though the actual movement is very repetitive, I still find it captivating - as you write in your post, it's " strangely moving."

Thanks for adding the outtakes clip as well to your post - I hadn't seen that.

Allison, I think what might make it "grass-rootish" is if other people built on this video and created their own types of travel videos - maybe ones that featured different dance styles. Or maybe ones that highlighted different neighborhoods in their own city.

I sort of like this last idea. Why not take a short dance sequence and bring it to different neighborhoods in New York City. Something fun and easy that everybody will want to participate in.

Added: July 10, 2008 12:35 PM | Permalink

Allison said:

I was thinking about that too...NYC would definitely be fun, but I currently live in Texas!

In my search for an academic program in dance + technology+ design + society/culture, I had this idea of incorporating the above videography idea within an program of academic study (e.g., Culture and Media program at NYU, Anthropology). But, maybe I should get over my shyness/must-have-degree attitude and walk around with a camera.

Added: July 10, 2008 4:29 PM | Permalink

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