there's still more to say

last night i had the incredible privileged to see an excerpt of "Who Cares?" danced by the New York City Ballet at the New York City Dance Alliance Foundation's presentation, Destiny Rising.  it was an exquisite pas de deux to "The Man I Love." the music was orchestral in the Gershwin style with a sultry brass line giving us the melody.  the dancers, Robert Fairchild and Tiler Peck, were stunning, technically flawless, and amazing performers.  Balanchine's choreography was a tough and oh-so-clean ballet pas de deux with some jazzy shapes (especially for Robert Fairchild) thrown in.  the chemistry between the dancers was exciting and i couldn't take my eyes off of them.

i haven't watched parts of "Who Cares?" since before the premiere of TWWDTT, when i was researching all sorts of dance and film done to Gershwin, from NYCB to Fred Astaire to movie montages with Rhapsody in Blue playing in the background.  when i saw this pas de deux listed on the program, i had a little feeling of dread and self-doubt as i waited to see the show.  after all, if Balanchine has done this choreography to the Gershwins' music, who the hell am i to make a show of it?

as i watched - and fully enjoyed - the performance, the dread melted away and i realized, oh, this is so gorgeous and they're saying something complete and articulate and beautiful with this performance, but that isn't all there is to say.  there's so much more in there - in the music, in the human romantic experience, in the vocabulary of dance - that could be explored.  and i want to explore it!  fred astaire doesn't quite capture the modern romantic cynicism that my generation has embraced.  and NYCB didn't quite capture the humor that i see in the blessedly human approach to relationships.  there's more to say! and the Gershwins' music can support all those conversations so gracefully.

and isn't that the thing about art?  there's always more to say.  there's always more music to write, more landscapes to be interpreted with a painter's brush, more movement to be created, more of the human experience to be recorded and expressed in an artist's unique voice.  art (like fashion!) is never finished.  and i'm feeling grateful to be a part of the journey.