2645  Tango: An Exercise in Kitsch...?

Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2004 23:01:25 +0100
From: Daniel Iannarelli <dmi@OSTEOPATH.THERAPIST.ORG.UK>
Subject: Re: Tango: An Exercise in Kitsch...?

Yeah, I totally agree with you Bernhard.

In fact, tango is kitsch, don't you think? Actually, I should qualify
that. What I really mean is that many of the trappings associated with
tango are often kitsch.

For example, why do milongas always have to be 'decorated' (tarted up)
with tacky red or black chiffon or netting, icky candles, women (some)
dressed in tarty tasteless outfits showing off more than common decency
should allow (don't get me wrong...in *some* cases, it's a welcome
exercise in sleazy aesthetics :-)), etc etc etc...?

I don't, however, understand what you mean by saying that "In the
fifties and sixties kitsch was -and still is - highly collectable". The
description "kitsch" was coined as applicable to tasteless tat in the
late 50s/early 60s - so how could it have become collectable at that
point? Yes, it's collectable today, but happily enjoyed as somewhat 'in'
and classy stuff then.

Best wishes

Dani


-----Original Message-----

Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2004 15:13:14 -0700
From: Jean-Marie Herve Michel <jhmichel@STANFORD.EDU>
Subject: Re: Tango: An Exercise in Kitsch...?

simplicity is always better, but one must admit that occasionally
having 'in private' our little angel with so much eye shadow she looks
like a racoon and so much lipstick that would make a colombian 'lady of
the night' blush and such tasteless dress that you cna only see in a
dictators private party hwehre everyone think they are sophisticated. All
that must be intentioal if it's not well ...


Quoting Daniel Iannarelli <dmi@OSTEOPATH.THERAPIST.ORG.UK>:

> Yeah, I totally agree with you Bernhard.
>
> In fact, tango is kitsch, don't you think? Actually, I should qualify
> that. What I really mean is that many of the trappings associated with
> tango are often kitsch.
>
> For example, why do milongas always have to be 'decorated' (tarted up)
> with tacky red or black chiffon or netting, icky candles, women (some)
> dressed in tarty tasteless outfits showing off more than common decency
> should allow (don't get me wrong...in *some* cases, it's a welcome
> exercise in sleazy aesthetics :-)), etc etc etc...?
>
> I don't, however, understand what you mean by saying that "In the
> fifties and sixties kitsch was -and still is - highly collectable". The
> description "kitsch" was coined as applicable to tasteless tat in the
> late 50s/early 60s - so how could it have become collectable at that
> point? Yes, it's collectable today, but happily enjoyed as somewhat 'in'
> and classy stuff then.
>
> Best wishes
>
> Dani
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Discussion of Any Aspect of the Argentine Tango
> [mailto:TANGO-L@MITVMA.MIT.EDU] On Behalf Of Bernhard Michaelis
> Sent: 13 August 2004 22:03
> To: TANGO-L@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> Subject: [TANGO-L] florid prose
>
> Tango from the heart? Come on....
> I call it Kitsch.
>
> Definition of Kitsch:
> Derived from the German verkitschen etwas, kitsch means to 'knock
> something off'. Today it is synonymous with objects of bad taste that
> are so bad they're good in an ironic way. In the fifties and sixties
> kitsch was -and still is - highly collectable. Kitsch can be anything
> from flying ducks to Tretchikoff paintings and Elvis toilet roll
> holders.
>
>
>
>
>
> Leonardo:your way to interpretate what a tango could
> be from your heart is a beatiful gift for all the list
> members....
> Thanks.
> Daniel Lapadula
> --- Michael <michael@TANGOBELLINGHAM.COM> wrote:
>
> > Crrtango@AOL.COM wrote:
> > > Leonardo Kunkello wrote:
> > >
> > > "I approach the dance floor as a large blank
> > canvas. The orchestra's rich
> > > tango sounds are absorbed, flowing from my
> > concentrating ears into a
> > > brain filled with anticipation. The multiple rich
> > layers of the music
> > > are interpreted to then flow to the shoulders to
> > speak instantaneously
> > > to my connected partner through our strong yet
> > sensitively responsive
> > > embrace. Down from our shoulders the language is
> > filtered by our hearts
> > > giving communication to each pelvis, which
> > transmits energy and power to
> > > our lower bodies. The feelings emanate out our
> > feet with the emotions of
> > > numerous brushes, from quick explosions to stokes
> > of quiet meaningful
> > > movements and anticipating pauses. The soles of
> > our feet are now moving
> > > and caressing the floor as if painting this once
> > empty canvas into a
> > > beautiful landscape. A colorful painting which is
> > visible solely to our
> > > entwined souls. This expression of our hearts,
> > that sought a resolution
> > > to come together, now beat as one. The tango is
> > concluded with a
> > > signature that punctuates our now satisfied souls
> > with a glowing pride
> > > in a beautifully completed canvas. A painting of
> > our emotions that is
> > > never ever to be exactly duplicated again."
> > >
> > > Are you serious?
> > >
> > > Cheers
> > >
> > >
> >
> > > Send "Where can I Tango in <city>?" requests to
> > Tango-A rather than to
> > > Tango-L, since you can indicate the region. To
> > subscribe to Tango-A,
> > > send "subscribe Tango-A Firstname Lastname" to
> > LISTSERV@MITVMA.MIT.EDU.
> > >
> >
> > >
> >
> > Yep, my sentiments exactly, although my first
> > inclination was to yell,
> >
> > "Three pounds of flax!"
> >
> > Although that's a rather esoteric reference....
> >
> > --
> > Michael
> > Tango Bellingham
> > www.tangobellingham.com
> >
> >
> > Send "Where can I Tango in <city>?" requests to
> > Tango-A rather than to
> > Tango-L, since you can indicate the region. To
> > subscribe to Tango-A,
> > send "subscribe Tango-A Firstname Lastname" to
> > LISTSERV@MITVMA.MIT.EDU.
> >
> >
>
>
> =====
>
> Daniel Lapadula
> ClubStyleTango@yahoo.com
> 54114-773-9383
> Buenos Aires-Argentina
>
>
>