Once again…
…we have Ksenia Parkhatskaya (see yesterday’s post if you don’t know who I’m talking about).
This dance has a completely different tone than the ones I posted yesterday, and therefore it spotlights her versatility. Although it’s not the sort of style I tend to like—too sexually obvious—I am incredibly impressed with her concentration that never flags, her complete and very serious commitment to her choreography, and most particularly the fact that this woman possesses joints and sinews and muscles in her back and arms that the rest of us can only dream of.
Take a look at what I mean:
The saving grace of the dance is that in its obvious sexuality it reflects all that is obviously entirely human, entirely female, (feline/graceful) and entirely lovely and delightful. Compare it with the thrusting, twerking, spasmodic, and entirely incoherent modern pop dancing. The present rage, I think, hasn’t an inkling of sensuality/sexuality, only of sex. And being entirely unsure of themselves, their talent, and their ability to make a valid artistic point about the human condition, in this instance, of sexuality/sensuality they are left to do only what they do best — thrust it in your face. This is now called talent.
BTW, If this were the golden age of American dance musicals, Ksenia
could easily grace the stage and the arms of Astaire and Kelly.
A lot has changed over there since the Brezhnev administration. They still have unsavory leadership but they have learned the importance of Bread and Circuses to keep the masses quiet…hmm, I think that can describe most countries actually.
She is very wow but I can’t get the Seinfeld Romanian gymnast episode out of my mind.
Wow. Thanks, neo.
Very impressive. I was expecting a fire to strike up between those shoulder blades!
After having watched both of these videos (the Charleston one and this, and a couple of others of hers), I find myself getting downright fascinated with this woman’s ability. You’re right, Neo, about her versatility–I would never have expected it to be the same woman in both of those performances. And she doesn’t have a bad voice, either!
I usually can’t make head or tail of your dance material, but this lady just grabs me, figuratively.
Philip:
She is also an actress, and is able to inhabit her dances by changing her personality. A fascinating, fascinating performer.
And yes, I would imagine that for men, she has an—ummm—very visceral appeal, while remaining very classy.
The previous time that I was this impressed with a dancer (in the very way you’ve described, i.e. “this woman possesses joints and sinews and muscles in her back and arms that the rest of us can only dream of”) was about 20 years ago. It was Sylvie Guillem, performing “In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated”, at the Royal Opera House.
Wow.