Tango Time

Watch your e-mail.

 

Do not judge me by what I have written.

 

I make exceptions for friends.

 

I keep away from the line (kept away from the line) when I was practicing long ago, but for friends, I approach it, just for hypothetical's sake.

 

The rest is up for your own discussion and action or not.

 

If no action -- well you may be able to contemplate that for a lifetime.

 

I hope not.

 

John (Crosley)

This is a really wonderful shot! Besides the composition working so well with all the elements creating great dynamics, the figures on the wall matching so well the people on the foreground is what strikes me most. The figures and the people in front have many points of contact, but at the same time a big difference: on the wall they seem to be working and the real people just enjoying themselves. I'm still trying to decide whether I like the strong colours on the background or not, but one thing is certain, they do increase the punch of the photo.

It is an area of Buenos Aires by the river, where shipyard and boat workers splashed whatever available paint on their riverside houses, creating colorful houses.

 

Now the look is codified. You must have colorful houses in the 'touristy' zone and the mural/bas relief things in the background celebrate the birth of Camanita and inevitably the birth of tango which began with men dancing with men to while away the long hours while they waited to copulate with the prostitutes -- which accounts for the aggressiveness of the dance -- its bites and kicks.

 

After all, men have testosterone, even when forced to dance with one another while drunk and waiting to be relieved of their paycheck for what once was expected to be the most prosperous nation in the world (it didn't come to pass, but could have been if they had proper governing), as it's very California-like -- wine, mountains, sea, good climate, good soil, excellent agriculture, and hard-working people.

 

Even the early gauchos (pampas cowboys) were said to be immigrant Jews from Russia/Ukraine and there are synagogues on the pampas for them, and Argentina has a large Jewish population, which accounts for their being an Al Quaeda target (the Jewish embassy was bombed a while back, with much loss of life).

 

Few Argentines know many of their beloved gauchos (cowboys) were Jews, which is striking to me, but it's true, and also interesting. Imagine John Wayne with a yarmulke, saying 'oy vey, brothuh, yah gotta talk to my six shooter iffa you'ra gonna turn on them them electric light things past Sundown on Fridays.'

 

Get my drift.

 

Camanita is a world famous destination and these dancers are very, very good, and I think this spot is reserved for the best, though it's on a sidewalk.

 

There must be some pecking order, but it clearly was based on merit, considering their talent.

 

Consider this: I posted a different shot, featuring the female dancer, right, about nine months ago, and sat on this photo as long.

 

Maybe my judgment needs to be examined (along with my teeth, which will be gone over next time I'm there, as Argentine dentistry and restorations are among the cheapest, good quality work in the world because of the peso crisis of 2001 when their currency just 'fell apart' and people had literally NO MONEY at all and were reduced to barter. 'My dental services for so many bags of beans and some potatoes', essentially, and tv sets for sale on front yards.

 

It's better now and the peso has stabilized at one-third its value -- it's a place of great bargains, but hotels are high priced. They stopped building them so rooms are scarce and high priced.

 

I would go there in a minute if my assistant had her passport and when she gets it, we're going there for a month or so, just to linger and photograph.

 

And the Country of Argentina doesn't pay us anything for this.

 

I've been twice and would consider living there, at least part time.

 

Meals are outrageously good and inexpensive -- $10 in best restaurants with tablecloths in fanciest districts and HUGE slabs of beef/lamb/pork/fish.

 

Time to buy a ticket (me first).

 

Will I see you there?

 

John (Crosley)

 

 

 

John, I like the fact that they are impersonal and faceless. It captures a place,not individuals.They are TANGO and their posture says it all. The forlorn girl sitting adds to the pathos. The colours are stunning and I hope you don't mind if it becomes my desktop wallpaper for a few days (my wife is a real tango fan).

What a compliment: desktop wallpaper. Have at it with my 'written' permission. It's required, you know, but you have it here.

 

Thanks for such flattery. It was not necessarily supposed to be 'impersonal' but that's how it turned out, and one takes what one can get and puts a smiley face on that, and pretends that's what one intended in the first place.

 

In fact, I just wanted to take a good tango photo (there are three from thijs place and these dancers in my folder, if you can imagine that.)

 

The dancing girl, right, sitting 'forlonly' is star of another photo, with a midget watching her. Look for it. Also, the male tango dancers danced and kicked up their yeels, as the tango started as a male-male dance and the particular 'kick' I caught was pretty good.

 

All in all, I was shooting pretty good that day.

 

Thanks for the recognition; if yuo go to Argentina, I can show you how to find this place; just write me.

 

It's easy enough to find. And I definitely recommend a visit to Argentina; it's easy on the pocketbook.

 

John (Crosley)