Sunday, February 17, 2008

Dance, Artist?

I began a new workshop today and encountered an experience I did not expect. I introduced myself as a dance artist (in a workshop composed of dancers and actors), and had my identity called into question. They questioned not that I identify as a dancer, or as an artist, but that the identity I choose encompasses both these ideas equally, as opposed to 'dancer' or 'contemporary dancer' or 'interpretor... whatever. Caught off guard, not realizing that I stood alone in how I chose to identify myself, raised a slew of questions about how we perceive dance apropos other art forms, and how we identify within the realm of dance.

Dance 'artist' for me encompasses everything that my realm of profession involves, be it taking class, rehearsing, teaching, choreographing, filling out applications, brainstorming ideas over coffee, or writing blog postings from home. For me, it also distinguishes my relationship to dance as different from the one I had as a dance student, or even emerging professional. The term also differentiates my artistic profession from other dance forms (pole dancing and commercial gigs come to mind) while also remaining open enough not to limit me to a particular approach to dance, or otherwise limit my role in the dance community.