Barack, political paradigm shifts, flatbacks,
friendships and forging artistic integrity.
As we move ever so quickly through this semester on the heels
of Barack Hussein Obama’s historic election and inauguration as our 44th
president, I could not help but try to tap into and capitalize on what I
believe is a shift in the paradigm in American politics, along with a new
cultural and social awareness. In this new Age of Obama that is ushering in a new civility, bi-partisanship
and call to public service {we hope}, lead by a charismatic, competent leader
with a calm confident demeanor aided by his Team of Rivals, all seems possible. I thought it would be useful to
discuss building artistic integrity,
and a way to begin that dialogue was a talk about the importance of being in
class.
As students in training it is very important to fully
participate in daily classes, as it is the foundation to a large part of what
we do as dance artists. Additionally, ones’ personal practice is the framework
that will support you through the plateaus’ of a life in the arts.
Our graduating MFA II and BFA IV students are about to
embark on a wonderful artistic journey with many surprising twists and
unexpected turns. This final semester at CalArts is their last opportunity to
advance physical and intellectual parameters and progress technically in a
concentrated conservatory environment. The harsh reality about ones’ study
after university is that future training is primarily just maintenance of
skills.
As dancers it is the understanding we will always be
students/subordinates working on perfecting our craft as artists. Upon
graduation subsequent training and development has a significant different
focus and tenor. Hopefully, you will have acquired as many of the necessary
tools to sustain you throughout your career.
My conversation with the class was not a chastisement but
rather a frank word to the wise. Making
students aware and prepared for the real world expectations that await them was
the spirit and tone I tried to straddle and impart. As soon to be professionals
working in companies or creating their own companies, being present is crucial.
It is integral to the life-blood of the art one participates in. This immutable
fact is also something they are going to demand as fellow artists and art
makers.
These last months will help galvanize a strong foundation
for their artistic mental and ferment artistic integrity that they will
hopefully spring board off of gaining new information along the way. These
attributes will guide them through out their careers, and that artistic
integrity begins in class.
I mentioned how friends that I began my career with over
thirty years ago have a transcended camaraderie from our experiences from taking class together.
Even though our artistic paths have diverged our friendships
remain intact and thrive due to the relationships that were forged through the
common experiences we shared from daily class.
A major portion of our integrity as artists and world
citizens was formed in that time together. That shared experience of rigorous,
intensive training together as a collectivity of young, ambitious, energetic,
self-motivated passionate artists bonded us. That bond has been a source of
solace, strength and mostly celebration as we move forward on our individual
life paths. These friendships affirm the reality of time that the cycle of life
writes for our personal and artistic narratives. It still brings a warm feeling
to my heart; many fond thoughts to memory and a childlike infectious smile to my
face. I would not trade that for anything in the world.
For me taking and being in class consistently was first and
foremost a selfish act on my part. I started dancing late and always felt like
I was playing catch up. Studying dance in New York City in the late 70’s early
80’s, was quite a unique experience. It was a heyday of dance in New York.
Classes were packed with forty to fifty super talented people on a regular
basis. Hot sweaty studios around the city were littered with the likes of a
Baryshnikov, Hines and Jamison. These notable dance legends among many of the Divarati
of the commercial theater and concert dance
scene often bumped shoulders and rubbed elbows with us mere mortals. All of us
vying for attention from Master Teachers were at best daunting yet utterly
inspiring times. Being fortunate to take class {sometimes} and work with a
litany of Dance Legends was incentive to be in class. Moreover, we were in
class because we wanted to be. We wanted to grow and be apart of something
larger than ourselves.
I had the great pleasure during this time of meet incredible
people and gain life long friends. These friends have gone on to have
incredible careers in and out of dance/ the arts. For my contemporaries and I,
class was a way to commune as artists. Classes were happenings full of raw creative energy that you wanted to be
apart of it. Vested participation was our way of showing support and solidarity
for the struggle of trying to be artists and also homage to the dance
pioneers and innovators. This exciting, vibrant, brutal, unforgiving and
ever changing art form was corroborated as a community by daily class. Finally,
taking class was a badge of honor to be worn proudly and upheld. You respected
the tutelage of Master Instructors and you don’t get to be a Baryshnikov, Hines
and Jamison by missing class. I also made it clear to them that I am fully
aware of the extremely taxing schedules they have here. As a faculty we are
also very cognizant of challenges they face and those to come.
I pointed out that they are role models for our underclassmen whether that mantle is a
desired one or not. I mentioned how our MFA students have taken this charge on
and have been positive examples without trying. Shying away from the title: role
model personally, my idea of a role model
is clearly reflected around and among us.
Our campus custodians, cafeteria workers, our students’
parents as well as my fellow colleagues are shining examples of people who do
what it takes with integrity, show up everyday and get the job done without
much reward or praise. In this city of Ultra Celebrity where role models are garnered from a who’s who list
of movie stars and athletes, not always the {our} most worthy choices, these
examples are refreshing.
As graduating seniors they set the tone for the rest of the
CalArts students’ population regardless of métier and they should embrace that
charter. The examples they set will add to the overall culture of excellence at
the Institute. So as we herald in a historic new American Political and
Cultural Era on a wave of positive
optimistic goodwill, let us siphon a few lessons from the examples our new
president is setting along with the unsung heroes in our midst. Artistic
Integrity begins in the classroom. I feel confident that our very talented
graduates {and undergrads} will be making history of their own as they set
forth on their creative paths.
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