"Combative Interview" indeed.
Interview: "A Lack of Compassion?"
The Canadian Sun News interview occurred on June 1st, 2011, offering a truly astonishing look at the gap of knowledge, appreciation and understanding of the arts and the wider public - or to be more specific, the "taxpayers."
It is truly amazing how ignorant people can be about the arts... particularly when they are not "their cup of tea." Sun News journalist, Krista Erickson, made quite a jab when she asked, "Why is this (insert a condescending arm movement that seemed to imply "modern dance") costing the taxpayers $1.2 million dollars?"
Interviewing dancer/choreographer (hailing from Canada herself) Margie Gillis, Erickson brought up many more hard-hitting, constant challenges for artists such as surviving in the Creative Economy, the idea of censorship, and the tax payer's role in funding the arts. Each revolved around the notion of WORTH.
Erickson certainly doesn't present herself as a fan of the arts, nor open to a respect of their worth to an overall society. Her views portrayed in her questioning blindly equate this idea of compassion that Gillis brings up with fiscal generosity. The question of value in terms of profit vs. the intangible betterment of society, soul is seen from Gillis' and Erickson's two extremely different notions.
Any dancer, choreographer, general appreciative audience member will most likely find this disturbing. It is not so much the issues brought up - valid, controversial even - rather it's the vivid absence of understanding about the "why's?" and "hows?" of the sector of the arts when it comes to funding, appreciation, and WORTH in society. People genuinely are unaware, which is easy to forget when you are one of a minority living and making efforts in that world.
Talk about a wake-up call to talk more, see more, dance more and write about it more. Thanks to Gillis for starting this conversation.
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