I am Lauren, Bob Fosse enthusiast

My first encounter with Fosse's choreography was one of utter excitement and awe. Mesmerized, I recall watching Miss Kathy's massive fake ponytail, whipping around and around and around like a sideways ceiling fan. At just 9 years old I knew I was a Fosse fan.The quirky moves were like nothing I had ever seen before. I'd practice what I had seen at rehearsals in my mirror at home. I wanted to move like that. I needed to move like that. Here's a clip of the dance they did, from the 1969 film, Sweet Charity.

Luckily, just 2 years later, my dear friend Sarah and I enrolled in the Atlanta Workshop Players summer camp, and though, at 11, we were technically too young for the dance division, we made it through auditions and into rehearsals for the Fosse themed performance that was to take place at the end of the 2 weeks. We were thrilled! I was finally going to legitimately get to show off my Fosse moves!

So who is this Fosse guy anyway? I didn't realize what a big deal he was until just recently. He's won countless awards for his choreography and direction... Academy Awards, Tony Awards, Emmy Awards... in fact, in 1973, he won all three! He once said of musical thatre...

“The time to sing is when your emotional level is too high to just speak anymore, and the time to dance is when your emotions are just too strong to only sing about how you feel."

His moves have been mimicked by many and admired by all. In fact, it's been alleged that the legendary MJ himself stole from Fosse, which may be evident after watching the below video from the fabulous film, "The Little Prince," starring Bob Fosse as the ssssssnake! Too, too cool.



I hate to overload this post with videos, but I think this, too, is worth your time. Versions of this have been floating around the internet... I'm sure you've seen at least one of them. This Fosse clip has been put to Beyonce's "Single Ladies," which was admittedly highly influenced by Fosse's work, but I prefer this one, in which these ladies from the 60's "walk it out" to Unk's hit tune.

Can't wait to bust some Fosse in the club!

I am Lauren, Henrique Oliveira enthusiast

Despite how much I love to make art, I rarely spend much time looking up and reading about those who like to do the same. I'm much more likely to stalk home design blogs than those pertaining to contemporary art. Why is this? I'm not entirely sure. Perhaps I'm not easily impressed. Or sometimes I think it might have something to do with a fear of the discovery that no idea or thought is truly original. For example, months after completing my first large concrete "thumbkin", I found images of Cesar Baldaccini's enormous "pouce" that was erected over 50 years ago in Paris...

As you can imagine... I was a little wigged out, slightly discouraged, kind of excited, and somewhat inspired all at once.

I'm finding, the best way to learn of artists is through word of mouth. My friend Michelle has a brain full of artists. She's the best for references and recommendations. When she sent me the link to Henrique Oliveira's website I just about had a heart attack. Not only was I so incredibly stimulated visually, I was overwhelmed with inspiration.

 

  

  

  

  

 

This guy is doing things that excite me to no end. His technique is one that I can only hope to mimic... I've been dying to create these types of planes, built away from the walls, but haven't had the skills or the know-how to actually make it happen. If only I could go to Brazil and study with Henrique!!