Has Professional Dance Gone Aesthetic

What is this new deal with romanticizing ballet? What is this obsession with wanting to become a ballerina because it’s "feminine" and is feeding one of social media's newest aesthetic craze?

This evening will serve as a think piece. Most times when I am behind the screen of The Artist Impression, although always striving to speak from the perspective of preservation, I speak out and I do so clearly. Through my writing I state facts and then shed light on the crevices of dance art through hard truths that mostly no one is speaking up about or against. Then there are times that I imagine readers ingesting my words but leaving room to process thoughts and perspectives of their own. Tonight is one of those nights. 

How do you feel about dance as a craft? I know, as I often do, have exampled classical ballet but how do you feel about dance in general? What does dance mean to you as a profession? Is dance still a revered art form? Is it losing it's savor? 

It was not too long ago that I was just a sixth grade student celebrating that iconic photograph of Linda Celeste Sims. You know the one! Purple backdrop, hair out, tilt jump. Yes. That photo. Younger me was so fascinated with the effortless beauty of that photo that I cut it out to keep in my agenda book. Imagine Linda for just a second. She prepares for the jump with a good enough plie and the photographer says "I have it!" Let's just say he uses those words. First the shot, then the print and then its distribution. One perfectly captured photograph shaped the mind of a sixth grade dancer enough for her to understand that being a professional dancer was a privilege and an honor. What has changed? Just one shot and I knew that it was important to carry this new sense of wisdom and awareness for dance. Dance was once universally regal. Now all people chant about are breaking molds irrelevant to the work and advocating the race of a dancer above the impact of dancers. I knew my new found understanding of dance would be needed and that I'd need to put it on display.

Maybe I am dramatic when it comes to the craft. Maybe. I'll take that! 

How do you feel about the evolution of how professional dance has been perceived and digested? Where does the line need to be drawn? Is a "line" necessary?

My personal stance is.... I'd love to hear yours.