Okay, perhaps I am not being clear. I realize that some dancers like to dance. I like to dance - sometimes. However, I think if we are going to elevate something (which also must be differentiated from some person) to artform we have to justify it in some way. Is every musician trying to "express something"? No. But your average and reasonable musician is. Therefore we call music art (if anyone wants to actually contest that music is art, I am really not qualified to do it. If you want to question whether that criteria makes music art, I would be interested in hearing something). So, although there are likely strippers who tote their toe shoes onto the stage and really involve themselves with self expression, as there is likely one stripper who has toted a piglet on stage and re-enacted Futz, I think we have to deal with the average and reasonable dancer. So if we are going to say that exotic dancing (which we have all agreed is different from dancing) is its own art form, I don't think it is unreasonable to want to explore how it is an art form.Originally Posted by SportsWriter2
Yes - you can do things on a stage you can't do in a dance club. But I think what I meant was how was the mode of self-expression different than the dancing in a dance club.
And of course, watching dancers can be enjoyable. I, personally, find it very enjoyable and I've seen many dancer do things that leave me saying "Is that even possible?" But I can't think that it is legitimate to endow everything enjoyable to the level of artistry, and I similarly can't think that what amount to stage tricks amount to artistry either.
Certainly I get your point. But enjoying something doesn't make it "expressive". So I'm interested in where we locate "expression" for these purposes. I am actually interested in this - I'm not just arguing back for the sake of making my point (alhtough, you know I would).I sometimes watch dancers for their flexibility and grace, almost forgetting I'm in a strip club. Some of my favorite dancers get performance highs, ruling the audience with subtle movements and gestures. If you sometimes feel like a rock star, I think you understand my point.
And, by the way, TOO - I'm sure, since you have read any Paglia, that you must be familar with "Rape and Modern Sex War".



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Amen!

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