People ask me all the time, "What do you think makes art/dance good/not good?" Now, I try to never say "Oh, this art/artist is good or this art/artist is bad" because that's the beauty of art. It affects every single viewer who sees it differently. You see one thing, feel one way, I see and feel another. Instead, I explain that I believe "good" art will impact you in a way that charges your senses, makes you think, makes you FEEL, ignites something deep inside you that feels profound, interesting, beautiful. That challenges you to see the world differently and encourages you to take notice of the human connection, the human experience. THIS is what dance can do. THIS is how dance can open you up.
Now, I know this sounds slightly eccentric. I know that you have the world and everything in it at your fingertips. But what about living inside the experience of live art. Art that exists for one moment, and one moment only. Art that rips open your chest and exposes your heart but in a good way. Art that speaks to you in a very personal yet unfamiliar way - in a way that begs you to get closer, dig deeper, listen intently and keep your eyes open wide so that nothing slips by. Art that MEANS something and is created in a way that holds innovation, nuance, and integrity to its highest standard.
Now I will say, it's impressive how some people can revive outdated dance moves with such conviction, as if the robot was ever meant to be more than a middle school talent show staple. But in my case, impressive means pushing artistic exploration to the limit, crashing through self-imposed boundaries to create something that was never thought possible, trusting the gut enough to create something that is daring, wild and unexpected. Impressive means going there and going there BOLDLY.
I have come to the conclusion that "good art" should be uncomfortable, challenging, or unsettling but at the same time is exhilarating, fascinating, and even transformative. So CHEERS to making “good art” - we need it.