Around the World
This music video Around The World by Daft Punk was released in 1997. It is the inspiration for my first post because this website is dedicated to music and dance all over the world. The video was directed by Michel Gondry and choregraphed by Blanca Li. What I love about this video is that each group of dancers is meant to be a visual representation of the song, with each group of characters representing a different instrument. According to Gondry, 'the robots represent the singing voice; the physicality and small-minded rapidity of the athletes symbolizes the ascending/descending bass guitar; the femininity of the disco girls represents the high-pitched keyboard; the "itchy" skeletons dance to the guitar line; and the mummies represent the drum machine.' The concept really illustrates the many different ways one song can move us. Does seeing a different group for each part in the music help you find elements in the song you might have otherwise ignored?
I also love the references different styles of dance. The "disco girls" are dressed like synchronized swimmers, which is a reference to the beautiful and graceful Esther Williams
The "athletes" are much like B Boys, an example here from the movie Beat Street
the mummies are doing the famous modern dance contractions, and the overhead kaleidoscope is inspired by Busby Berkeley films
