514  Nuevo Tango - one definition

Date: Wed, 17 Apr 2002 02:44:59 -0600
From: Brian Dunn <brianpdunn@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Nuevo Tango - one definition

Clayton Beach writes:
<<
<<Recently a visitor from out of town was dancing a clearly identifiable
Nuevo
Tango style>>>

If this style is indeed "clearly" identifiable, could we get a description
of it?

>>

Sorry, I admit I did lapse into shorthand here...

Nuevo Tango as an identifiable style is actually the visible result of the
work of the "Tango Investigation Group" pioneered by Gustavo Naveira and
Fabian Salas in recent decades in BsAs. By taking tango down to the physics
of the movements in a systematic way, they sought to create a method of
analyzing the complete set of possibilities of tango movements, defined by
two bodies and four legs moving in walks or circles. While tango as an
improvised folk art had already tested and accepted many of the available
possibilities, their investigation gave them a view of a structure to the
dance that was expressed in a systematic way. In walks, their explorations
pioneered what were once called "alterations" and are now called "changes of
direction". In turns, they focus on being very aware of where the axis of
the turn is (in the follower/in the leader/in between them). This tends to
produce a visible style that appears "liquid", "flowing", like eddies in a
stream with the partners rotating around each other on a constantly shifting
axis, or else incorporating novel changes of direction. It can be lyrically
beautiful, but can raise navigation challenges for novice devotees in social
settings.

Many of the recent popular elements in tango vocabulary, such as single-axis
turns, owe their debut on the tango scene to the popularity of Gustavo's and
Fabian's approach. An excellent interview with Fabian Salas on Keith
Elshaw's site at www.totango.net/salas.html provides a great historical
overview.

Tango has so many sides to it, including partner connection, emotional
openness, and musical sensitivity - but I've found the Nuevo Tango analysis
a tremendous help in enriching my tango improvisational vocabulary. I
reamin fascinated with its integral complexity and comprehensive approach to
the possibilities of tango movement.

To return to your comment - the person I described was in my opinion more
interested in having fun than they were in having a tango conversation with
their partner or in sharing the tango space in a considerate fashion. While
I enjoyed watching him and appreciated his mastery of the style, I found I
didn't enjoy dancing as much when he was on the floor.

>>>>

Or, it is used, like in Brian's e-mail, to justify bizarre or rude behavior
like taking quick movements against the line of dance;
<<It wasn't the style that was the problem per se,it
was his choice to employ that style in that setting without acknowledging
the social consequences.>>
Apparently, erratic and impolite breaches of the line of dance are a
defining characteristic of the Nuevo Style...
<<<<

ARGH! NOnonono...I feel very misunderstood, and hereby apologize for any
lack of clarity others may perceive in my original comments. See above for
my personal feelings about Nuevo Tango and its promise.

When my partner and I teach Nuevo Tango material, we select from the
multitude of possibilities only "line-of-dance-certified" combinations as
practice material. This way, our students will be welcome additions to the
social dance floor.

It's just a question of what's appropriate, where, and when. A little
sensitivity goes a long way.

Regards,
Brian Dunn
Boulder, Colorado USA
www.danceoftheheart.com




Happy tangos to all (however you choose to dance them)
--
clayton beach
akumushi@onebox.com

Date: Tue, 20 Aug 2002 05:20:05 +0000
From: Brian Taylor <briantaylor990@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Nuevo Tango

I believe that the developers of this teaching technique Gustavo Naveira and
Fabian Salas do not wish to use the name "Nuevo Tango".
They insist in using the term Argentine Tango for their system and way of
dancing. Do you think that this suggests that they consider this way of
dancing just a style more out of the many ones that exist? Rather than an
evolution?

Date: Tue, 20 Aug 2002 01:22:51 -0700
From: clayton beach <akumushi@ONEBOX.COM>
Subject: Re: Nuevo Tango

Brian Taylor asks:

> Do you think that this suggests that they consider this way
> of
> dancing just a style more out of the many ones that exist? Rather than
> an
> evolution?

I think that by avoiding the term 'nuevo' and using the generic 'argentine
tango,' they are trying to avoid labels and the subsequent value judgements
and stereotypes follow. Countless times have I seen postings on this
list that characterize 'nuevo' style dancing as some young couple flying
across the room against the line of dance while executing as many ganchos
firuletes etc. as possible. I would attribute that much more to lack
of skill and social ettiquite than the particular style of the dancers.
So-called 'nuevo' style tango is a detailed study of the kinetics of
tango and the possible relations between two moving bodies. ThEse concepts
do open doors to new relationships and therefor moves, but also apply
to all other styles of tango. It is pure theory, and what the student
does with that theory is entirely at his or her own whim...
--
Clayton Beach
akumushi@onebox.com