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Artist Statement
Ginger Royal
In Beledi, (belly dancing), I explore a theme that resonates with the excitement, mystery, mood and uniqueness of the spirit of this dance. I primarily focus on motion and the continual transitional feel within the dance, --the memory of what went before, the anticipation of what is to come next through its resounding energy. I want the viewer to get caught up in it, to hear the music, to anticipate. My work is guided by my desire to represent and translate, not just extracted articulations of the dance but to represent the vibrancy of 'the dance' in each extraction.
Tracing the culture surrounding this dance and its migratory roots (Orient, Middle East, Europe, Greek Isles, Africa), belly dancing has a strong history of mind-body-spirit relationship. Not a typical dance for voyeurs it was participatory and purposeful. The dance currently is widely considered a Middle Eastern folk dance, though unlike most other folk dances, is still commonly learned at home. Emerging from a celebration of earthly, sensual, and spiritual origins, the perception of belly dancing today has unfortunately been cast by repressive religious and cultural forces as a purely sexual dance and is often associated with prostitution.
In Beledi I try to reflect the original intent of the dances such as those that were practiced in temple rituals, as harem entertainment --depicted in the now popular cabaret style, for enticement --accumulating dowries and income, those dances women performed by and for each other, and the dance as exercise for the preparation and ease of labor. Not just the grace and agility but the total engagement of the dancer was a gauge of her skill, ultimately inspiring exuberance and passion in others. May you be inspired!