This dance style was developed in the 1960’
s in the
Black and Latino Gay Ballroom
Scene in Harlem
New York. It was inspired by Vogue Magazine and the poses models would strike in order to be photographed. Examples of this art form can be seen in the film
Paris is Burning.
And fuck Madonna’s video. The
bitch!!!!
The five foundational elements of Voguing are: Hand/Arm Performance, Catwalk, Duckwalk, Spins & Dips and Floor Performance. From these five pivotal elements arise three primary styles:
Old Way: formerly also known as pop
dip &
spin or performance. This is the original voguing style and the basis for the development of the subsequent contemporary styles. Voguing in the old way it its purest form is a dance duel between two rivals. New Way and Vogue Fem grew from this foundational form.
New way: characterized by its precision in creating complex angles, boxes, lines and illusions with the arms, wrists and hands. It was used by performers inspired by the extreme flexibility and poses of contortionists, gymnast, yoga practitioners and haute couture fashion.
Vogue Fem is based on Old Way performance and embodies an extremely feminine appearance and movement. Its influences come from Modern Dance, Ballet, Figure Skating and Pantomime. The two characteristic dynamics in the presentation of this style are: “dramatic” – very fast with impressive and “soft &
cunt” that emphasizes the grace and
beauty of
women by rather slow movements.
The five elements of voguing are analogous to the five elements of Hip-Hop; and, both
art forms borrowed the five elements structure from Kung Fu movies shown on 42nd street before Disney and gentrification turned The
Deuce into a tourist
trap,
