Re: [TANGO-L] how different? - open, closed (was Just two styles)

[Eero Olli <eero.olli @ISP.UIB.NO>]

Dear list members,

I would like to give a small comment on open style.

At 09:00 02.12.2003, Oleh Kovalchuke <oleh_k @HOTMAIL.COM>
wrote:
> One can dance tango either in open or in close embrace. Both styles
> share music and there is significant overlap in footwork, therefore
> to uninitiated spectators they look very much similar. However these
> are two entirely different dances from dancer perspective, the
> fundamental difference being the lead.
>
> Where in open embrace follower has to rely significantly on eyes,
> intuition and significant pool of memorized steps (sequences), in
> close embrace all she need to learn is to listen with her torso,
> recognize slight shifts in balance and to step with confidence where
> her torso is led. Hence the importance of eyes for open embrace to
> see where his or her foot is as opposed to posture for close embrace
> dance. To illustrate this importance observe how people dance in
> open and in close embrace at next milonga. Open embrace   eyes down,
> close   torso forward (better posture, by the way).

I disagree with the above presentation of the nature of the open style. I
enjoy both the open and the closed embrace, and find no fundamental
difference in the lead and follow. The description above sounds more like
the 'beginner' version of open style, and not something one would actually
want to dance.

I prefer the same type of focus on weight and center both open and closed
embrace. The most important change is which bodyparts are in contact. There
is no reason to make communication in open style any poorer than in closed
style (or why one should rely on eyes, intuition, or memorized patterns).

However, I must to admidt that in open style it requires a lot of
sensitivity in hands to be able to read each other's bodies with sufficient
presision.  It is very tempting to rely on a rigid frame, which kills the
sensitivity and thus one can end up with a boring and mechanic dance.
However, just because it happens, does not mean that it should be accepted
as a valid description of open style.  I rather view this as a problem that
should be solved.

It is of course a matter of personal preference whether to avoid the open
style or work more on it. :-)

best,
Eero Olli
eero @bergentango.no

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