I'll just come out and admit that I don't actually care for the music of Beyonce very much. I became aware of Beyonce as a member of Destiny's Child back in the early 2000's and had heard rumors of her family (I thought it was her mom) essentially creating the group as a launch pad for Beyonce cutting other "members" of the group after they tried to separate from family management. I can't corroborate this but I did have an understanding that it was all to make Beyonce a star by any means necessary, and that really doesn't jive with me.
On the other hand her music is everywhere now and speaks to a lot of people, particularly young inner city kids. Some of those kids at Harlem Public School #161 have worked very hard to put together a flash mob routine choreographed to one of Beyonce's songs.
Ok, once again being honest, flash mob really isn't my thing either. Although I have some sort of performance in my blood, showing off in front of a unsuspecting crowd and inflicting your art on them kinda freaks me out. When I watch these flashmob videos I get goose bumps... and not because it's good. That being said, I think flash mobs democratize the art and put it in the hands of everyone in many ways and I think that is cool. Art is not for the few or the elite, it is for everyone. There are no inherent differences between the stars and us, we put those there.
As easily as those walls that separate the performer from the audience, the star from the people can be put up, they can just as easily be torn down...
I think every kid, and maybe if we're honest a few adults as well, dream of doing their thing alongside their heroes. Whether it is the bottom of the ninth bases loaded at bat, the air guitar solo, or even fantasy role play I imagine all of us have experienced the ecstasy of those imagined situations.
The kids at PS 161 clearly spent hours working on the moves for that song, watched the video countless times and probably envisioned themselves right along Beyonce in the video and it came to life! Not only that but they stayed right with the routine the whole time and barely missed a beat. They lived that dream moment to the fullest and I'm sure they will never forget it.
Beyonce showed that even though she did whatever it took to be a star, she is not to proud to jump in line with a bunch of dorky kids who are real people and real fans. That speaks loads about her character and maybe even more impressively, she can really move. She nailed that dance routine, which was probably only learned for the video, in some major high heels.
Impressive.
We can all learn from this and the lesson is different from each. As a spectator I will try not to judge other artists and presume to think that they are not also real people. As an artist I am encouraged to share my work with as many people will listen will have it.
On the other hand her music is everywhere now and speaks to a lot of people, particularly young inner city kids. Some of those kids at Harlem Public School #161 have worked very hard to put together a flash mob routine choreographed to one of Beyonce's songs.
Ok, once again being honest, flash mob really isn't my thing either. Although I have some sort of performance in my blood, showing off in front of a unsuspecting crowd and inflicting your art on them kinda freaks me out. When I watch these flashmob videos I get goose bumps... and not because it's good. That being said, I think flash mobs democratize the art and put it in the hands of everyone in many ways and I think that is cool. Art is not for the few or the elite, it is for everyone. There are no inherent differences between the stars and us, we put those there.
As easily as those walls that separate the performer from the audience, the star from the people can be put up, they can just as easily be torn down...
I think every kid, and maybe if we're honest a few adults as well, dream of doing their thing alongside their heroes. Whether it is the bottom of the ninth bases loaded at bat, the air guitar solo, or even fantasy role play I imagine all of us have experienced the ecstasy of those imagined situations.
The kids at PS 161 clearly spent hours working on the moves for that song, watched the video countless times and probably envisioned themselves right along Beyonce in the video and it came to life! Not only that but they stayed right with the routine the whole time and barely missed a beat. They lived that dream moment to the fullest and I'm sure they will never forget it.
Beyonce showed that even though she did whatever it took to be a star, she is not to proud to jump in line with a bunch of dorky kids who are real people and real fans. That speaks loads about her character and maybe even more impressively, she can really move. She nailed that dance routine, which was probably only learned for the video, in some major high heels.
Impressive.
We can all learn from this and the lesson is different from each. As a spectator I will try not to judge other artists and presume to think that they are not also real people. As an artist I am encouraged to share my work with as many people will listen will have it.
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