THE (HE)ART OF FIGURE SKATING

A /B— ARTISTRY & BEAUTY

“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.” (Goethe)

But what this ‘sense of beautiful’ that Goethe talked of, must be that of self-awareness. For what else could possess absolute beauty but God Itself? So for the human soul to open up this faculty, one must be surrounded by things that allow the Divine to shine through, and act as a remembrance of its true nature.

Thus we’re gifted different forms of Arts, which, when experienced with receptive stillness, grant us a momentary dip into the ocean of Creation, the source of all beauty.

(I chose to put the two concepts together in a post, since artistry cannot exist without the other, as it is primarily to express beauty which is the purpose of this means. So beauty can only be tangibly conveyed either through nature, or through a sincere demonstration of an artist.)

In the Figure Skating world, as in many other fields that claim its existence, Artistry is hugely debated upon; and so it’s difficult to reach a consensus as to who really are the artistic skaters and who are the great athletes, what is a genuinely artistic program, and what is merely a good execution of an artistically choreographed program.

So, what I include here as illustrations of the concept, are merely a few choices of exhibitions according to my personal idea of artistry (my full commentary on the subject: Regarding Art & Beauty). Or to put it simply, a few programs I were moved by. This is not an exhaustive list of favorites however. Also, as I mentioned in a previous post, there’s likely a ton of programs that I might have missed in my random rummaging for merely four years; so I only have mostly recent skaters to feature. (Hopefully along the way, I’d be able to explore the archives more, and maybe come up with a classics series, including the 3 C’s- Curry, Cranston, Cousins, and other skaters famed for their artistry ☺ As for Ice Dance programs, they will be reserved for another post.)

Now moving on to some of the most effective ‘channellings’ of beauty through figures and movement:

• Michelle Kwan — Fields of Gold. This program, obviously made with a goal/hope in mind, is just golden, pun aside. Kwan has had many memorable skates for sure, but I believe (even though I didn’t see her compete in real time) this is likely on top of the list, her 2002 Olympic exhibition skate. If not for the glorious skating, just the Air created in this moment, the wave of emotions is enough to make one fall in love. Mesmerizing and heart-achingly beautiful. (Highlight: pretty much everything, but the moves in the field are specially gorgeous; and the final pose.)

• Shizuka Arakawa. You Raise Me Up. When I saw this program, I still was not familiar with the whole competitive thing and how it works. So I had no idea this was a bit of a surprise Olympic win. All I felt was, this is indeed a gold-worthy skater. I only found out later that Shizuka literally means calm/quiet in Japanese, and this is exactly how she is as a skater– quiet, elegant, serene, and ethereal. (Highlight: moves in the field and the final spin, esp the donut– first time I ever saw it done)

• Alexei Yagudin — Overcome. I haven’t seen too many of Yagudin’s performances, but seeing his winning programs in the Salt Lake Olympics, both Winter and Man in the Iron Mask, it’s easy to tell that this skater did not become champion because of mere technical greatness combined with luck. This is a performer who understands his music, and is able to project that out for everyone to see. (Highlight: the moonwalk– and that look he gave, the memorable ‘ice loving’, and the ending step sequence)

• Grinkov & Gordeeva — Reverie. The famous G&G, remembered for their great skating, invincibility during their peak, and their touching, albeit tragic love story. This skate to a Debussy piece after their Olympic win showed why they are considered special even among the best. Actually, they have many ‘special’ programs, but this is just exquisite. The ambiance is very light and soothing, the chemistry very natural. This just takes you certainly, into a moment of reverie. Like a walk in a daydream. (Highlight: the long carry lift midway– not entirely sure what it’s called specifically, and the last overhead unto the final pose)

• Yuna Kim — Meditation. I have talked about how watching skating can be a form of contemplation, so I thought this particular program is very apt. Kim is without contention an amazing skater, though I sometimes feel a certain disconnect with her. I did not understand why, because visually, she is just perfect. Then I came upon an interview where she implied that skating sometimes feels like a job to her, so I guess that was it. However, this program was from a very special show. It was the show that gave us the gift of seeing Michelle Kwan skate again after years of retirement. And being that Kim has been a fan of her, this seemed quite special to her as well. And for once, it did not feel like a ‘job’, and I watched her without that tinge of distance. I knew then that when she just skated from the heart, she is indeed, a ‘queen.’ (Highlight: the series of Ina Bauers, and her layback spin)

• Mao Asada — Jupiter. Asada is definitely a crowd darling. If Kim is queen, she to me, is a princess. Not because she is inferior in skills, but because she exudes an energetic youthfulness when she skates. Youth that is light yet graceful. In a way, I feel she’s more ‘accessible’ and endearing, so she’s just a joy to see every time. This skate in particular, in front of the home crowd, is quite special. It was a difficult season for her, both personally and in her technicality. But this program, that goes, “I vow to thee, my country…The love that never falters, the love that pays the price…” showed her devotion not only to skating, but also to bringing glory to her land, even in times of personal grief. (Highlight: the setting of the stage into the first spin, and then the closing of the story)

• Sasha Cohen. Hallelujah. Cohen was one of the first skaters I watched (I started with Kwan), and fans and commentators often gush over her ‘artistry’. I thought she’s a great dancer on the ice, and unique as well; but I wasn’t entirely convinced with the artist part at first. I guess it was because of the nerves that is quite apparent when she performs in competitions that sometimes makes her look a bit detached. I love this program however. One reminder that performance really is about just letting go, not over-thinking, not aiming to win. Just letting, moving, and feeling. (Highlight: the graceful hand movements, as always, and the Ina Bauer with those somber eyes)

• Jeremy Abbott — I Won’t Give Up. Abbott is also one of those skaters who don’t need a medal to show how amazingly talented they are. Not only is he very skillful, but he obviously has strong feel for the music. He choreographs many of his own competitive programs, so his personal style always shows when he skates. Especially during shows, it’s just easy to connect with him. This is one of my favorite programs of his. The music fits him really well because I feel it’s one of those songs that need gorgeous movements and stroking to work. And make it work he definitely did. Just lovely to watch. (Highlight: the step sequence, and the ‘run’ into the climax)

• Jeffrey Buttle — Enigma. This program is classic Buttle. Elegant, beautiful, and enigmatic. So this music choice pretty much describes him as a skater. He used to be one of the few who could embrace a program completely and convey it in a way that would move audience to tears. I love how in one interview, he described skating as ‘the ability to glide without effort…the ability to fly on the ground,’ because that is pretty much how I see his skating, effortless gliding and flying on slippery ground. His ease and lightness makes it look as if he was born on the ice (which isn’t too far from the truth, since he started skating at age 2). I wish he’d go back to this more mellow type of programs. (Highlight: the note-timed jumps, esp the back to back near the climax, the Ina Bauer into full-revolution spread eagle into the end)

• Stephane Lambiel — The Water. It is pretty much agreed by many that Lambiel is one of the most artistic skater/choreographers today (and possibly of all time). He translates his vision wonderfully unto the ice, like how he interpreted the felling of being stranded and helpless in this program. He utilizes the stage, the music, his skates, and his body to create a ‘moment’. Whether purely for entertainment or for creating an atmosphere that will stir the hearts of audiences. (Highlight: the floor work, the backward spiral into the final spin, and the short hydro-blade out to the ending pose)

• Tatsuki Machida — Byakuyakou. At first, I liked Machida because his movements reminded me of other favorites’. Then East of Eden happened, Now, I find him as an artist all on his own (and currently my most favorite competitive figure skater). He makes me think of a geisha– mysterious, elegant, and beautiful. He has powerful expression that is able to draw the audience in, and body language that paints a clear picture of any idea he wishes to imply. Some people say he can sometimes be overly dramatic, but for me, his drama is all-natural and truly heartfelt, not put up like many others. An actor at heart. (Highlight: the creative use of the red hand to tell the story of guilt, regret, and shame/hiding– the music was from a mystery murder film; and the ending floor pose)

• Akiko Suzuki — Love Dance. This wonderful skater has been quite underrated and overshadowed by those more popular around her. Though she has been technically inconsistent in some points of her career, her sense of performance and musicality does not falter. Though modest off the ice, on it she is majestic. Always a vision to behold. Here in a program very fitting for her, with music and lighting that create a ‘fantasy-like’ atmosphere, Love Dance from Cirque Du Soleil. (Highlight: the lovely hand gestures, and the step sequence into the final spin)

• Daisuke Takahashi — The Crisis. Then of course, I cannot possibly make a post about artistry and beauty without including Takahashi. He is, and probably always will be, my favorite skater of all time. This program is one of the biggest reasons why. Seeing The Crisis for the first time, I was just, entranced. For that few moments, nothing else mattered. And what was more amazing about it, is that it was so unassuming. No pretty costume, no sparkles, no glamour hairstyle– he looks like someone who just came from the office and decided to skate; no epic music– just four tones, four simple piano tones (and some whispered strings) over and over until the end; no spectacular theatrics, no audience flirtation, no ‘look at me’ suggestion, no gimmicks– just pure skating. No, floating. Feeling the music, being in the moment, breathing. It was beautiful.

“We need beauty in our lives. We’re hard-wired for it, and this need has been with us since the earliest human groupings. Creating art allows us to express our deepest feelings and ideas without having to put a name to them.” (Robert Dalton)

“What delights us in visible beauty is the invisible.” (Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach)

“For the arts epitomize, intensify and clarify the experience of beauty for us as nothing else can.”(Lawren Harris)

Originally published at beyondfigure.wordpress.com on December 22, 2014.