#birthday girlie revolutionize the world!

[lirii-arts]

🪲 Happy Birthday, Coco Beloved!

[saferincages]

Happy 80th Anniversary to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, ever sweet and lovely, its artistry and grace being the groundbreaking first that allowed the legacy of animated film-making which followed it, its importance and beauty lives on to this day. It is a work of art, no matter how many times I see hand-drawn animation referred to as "archaic," those gorgeous watercolor backdrops and the darling, rounded lines of the characters are what elevated animation into its own genre of spectacular film.

I was hoping there would be at least one celebratory article today, but it turns out the tone of all of the ones I perused was incredibly cynical (why are we never allowed pure enjoyment of anything these days?), which made me...sadder than it should have...and I'm not entirely well enough to write something eloquent myself today, but I will say that I respect and cherish the work that Walt Disney, the animators and artists, the voice actors and reference models, all did to bring this work to life. They worked tirelessly, despite being told that the film was folly, was destined to fail, and when they brought it to fruition, it moved and touched audiences so much (audiences who were suffering through a difficult time and desperately needed an escape, and a hopeful one) that there are documented stories about people crying in the theatres near the story's conclusion, and how phenomenal that impact was, that these little *animated* fairytale characters were powerful and touching enough to move viewers to tears.

Snow White has been such a perennial part of my life that I don't actually have the memory of being introduced to her, but I certainly know the stories - humming the music to myself, requesting a Snow White themed third birthday party, being read Snow White storybooks, insisting on carrying my doll of her everywhere. I am surrounded by mementos and reminders of her daily. And the thing I think so many misunderstand, especially today, where we're constantly told that being a Strong Female Character somehow must equate to unrelenting badassery and emotional detachment, is that her power is never in her beauty or her station - if anything, those are obstacles (the Queen's unfounded hatred is based upon those traits) - her strength is in her gentle nature, the kindness she shows to others without hesitation, her loving heart that persists even though she was brought up in a life of loneliness, misery, and abuse (and essentially indentured slavery in her own castle, a trait shared with other oft wrongly maligned heroine Cinderella). She runs away when she's told her stepmother wants to murder her and this is treated as an action of weakness, but I'm not entirely sure how a young girl is supposed to "fight back" against that level of cruelty, and leaving the situation is a liberating step despite the fear that accompanies it. She is giving of herself with the Dwarfs but also doesn't hesitate to put them in their place (or even tease them, see: Grumpy), she's loving towards her animal friends and, Disney magic style, this leads them to help and protect her. Yes, it's a product of its time, 1937 (and why this is consistently held as a detriment is confusing, everything ever made is a reflection of its specific period, social mores absolutely change, usually for the better, and feminism has come a long way, but holding something made eighty years ago up to today's standards is a false equivalency?). Yes, the Prince does indeed rescue her in the end, because that's a fundamental element of the story's structure. I've never believed she should be dismissed for these things, but she usually is. The rhetoric that we can't possibly look at her as inspirational in any way is such a narrow point of view.

As a little girl who was shy and quiet, with a wavering voice and a soft disposition, Snow White was always a comfort. I felt akin to Belle in many ways too, her delving into books as a source of joy and respite, her "oddness" in her community (and Belle is considered a much more "acceptable" heroine to love), but certain aspects of Belle were much more aspirational for me, whereas Snow White was inspirational. I might not ever be as fierce and brave as Belle, though I could aspire towards her, but I knew I could be as kind and loving as Snow White, and so she was inspiring to my heart, my spirit, my perspective.

(I just had this aspirational/inspirational discussion with a dear friend in regards to Leia Organa and Padme Amidala, and that's a bit of a digression here, but the dichotomy is fresh in my mind and the mirroring contrasts are the same - I love both of those girls with all my heart, and they were both formative, though Leia was introduced to my life much earlier and I was a bit older when Padme came along - Leia is still held up as a symbol of empowerment, whereas Padme is so consistently derided she's almost ignored completely outside of certain parts of the SW fandom. Why is this? Yes, Leia is a leader and a fighter and an all-around awesome lady, but...Padme is a leader and a fighter too, deeply devoted to her people, fiery of spirit when she needs to be, unfailingly compassionate. The key difference is the way they're defined by their femininity. I read an article defending her the other day, and while I didn't agree with everything about the male author's perspective, he did say this: "Femininity, maternalism, affection and gentleness are traits to cherish and celebrate in our world and needn’t result in negative scoring on the chart of aspirational female figures." ANYWAY talking about Padme is an entirely different essay, but this point is relevant here).

I do not expect other women in this world to be overtly feminine or to embrace femininity, it's absolutely valid not to do so. The thing that exhausts me is that the knee-jerk opposite reaction now is that if one does embrace it, is very feminine in presentation or relation to the world, is sensitive and emotional, you are automatically less worthwhile. You are not a feminist. You are failing as a woman. It's hurt me for so long because it makes me feel like I don't have a voice, or that the ideas and feelings I do have aren't valuable, that I can't be welcomed in feminist conversations even though I agree with every stride forward, every fight for rights and equality. There's such a silencing element to it, even though that's contrary to everything feminism teaches.

So, yes, I am soft and delicate in nature, and not particularly confident, and girly and dreamy and silly, and quiet and strange in the shut away necessity life has caused me, and prone to empathetic tears, and I adore pretty songs and romance and cute animals and the hope in the end of the fairytale. Yes, I believe even the smallest acts of compassion and kindness can affect a life. Maybe those actions can't change or revolutionize the world, but there's a quote from the Talmud: "And whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world." So maybe with those smallest of acts, there is always a sliver of salvation. Yes, I believe in love in all its forms, and that it is transcendent, that love is a light. (You know who else reinforced that this year? Wonder Woman, undoubtedly one of the "strongest" fictional women of all.) Yes, I believe there's a way to keep hold of empathy and mercy even when we've faced cruelty from others and the coldness of the world. Snow White was my first fictional friend and teacher in these things, and despite everything that's said about her (which I've had to combat all this time), despite the 1937 aspects of the outlook, I continue to carry her in my heart. I'm not ashamed to be like her. I continue to have faith that being caring and warm is not in vain.

Remember, you're the one who can fill the world with sunshine.

[solenelanza]

Since I came back to London, Kate Bush whispered to my headphones that I have to walk and dance with somebody in the woods. So I have to take my mates to North London to embrace the atmosphere of a legendary music video.

Depuis mes retrouvailles avec Londres, Kate Bush chuchote à mon oreille que je devrais aller danser dans les bois. Alors j’ai pris ma team sous le bras, vers le nord de la ville pour frôler au plus près l’atmosphère mythique d’un clip.

I know it’s time for me to give up Frenchness and to feel the real British music feeling. Listen I was not there for ages not to play hide and seek but just to experiment deeper how the pop music heritage was still alive nowadays – and sometimes in a very unexpected way.

I know it’s time for me to give up …la “francitude” afin d’épouser au mieux l’esprit britannique. Je n’étais pas sur le terrain depuis longtemps que je sentais déjà très profondément l’héritage de la musique pop et même d’une façon très inattendue.

Let’s take Kate Bush for instance: one night, we jump into a venue for a special indie rock party. Between the Arctic Monkeys and Blur, a skinny woman-like figure erupted on stage. With a red-energy move, she asked for a choreographic moment joined by the whole audience, letting the poor Frenchies (that we actually were) a bit astonished.

Prenez Kate Bush par exemple. Un soir, vous vous engouffrez dans un club pour une soirée 100% indie rock. Et entre les Arctic Monkeys et Blur, une frêle silhouette efféminée se fraya un chemin sur scène. Avec une énergie ardente, elle demanda un titre fort chorégraphié et aussitôt rejoint par l’auditoire, laissant les pauvres Français que nous étions, un peu effarés.

Years after the charity tribute by Noel Fielding and the dancing reunion birthday in South London, I took my girly gang onto this Bushy adventure. My amazing duet of complementary women: Kelly, expert in fashion always looking for the perfect story and the outstanding outfit, Alice, bright eye able to find the perfect way to freeze the whole universe, bridge the gap between 1973 to 2018. How easy was it to feel the 70’s especially with the steamy light bright red dresses!

Quelques années après l’hommage caritatif de Noël Fielding et les réunions dansantes lors de l’anniversaire du titre dans le sud de Londres, j’ai amené mon gang de Dancing Queens dans une aventure Bush…euse ! Mon duo formidable de femmes complémentaires : d’un côté Kelly, experte en mode, toujours à la recherche de l’histoire parfaite et d’un style vestimentaire à tomber, de l’autre, Alice, l’oeil habile capable de trouver le moment idéal pour figer et capter l’univers entier. Ce duo a su réaminer les années 70 en 2018. Et cela fut assez facile notamment grâce à ces robes lumineuses et vaporeuses !

Kelly : Red dress by Asos, shoes from H&M, flowers from Claire’s Solène : Red dress by Vero Moda, shoes by Repetto

The most eccentric thing was to learn the non academic dance. It sounds, now, like a tribute to Lindsay Kemp, who inspired the singer so much during David Bowie‘s gig in West London (the kind of gig who revolutionized people’s lives, like the Sex Pistols‘ show in Manchester, ask Joy Division for more details^^) and who taught the singer a new world of expressions through one single word. We tried to be at the level of this rolling routine even if sometimes, the non sportswomen we are have to give up some acrobatic moves. (Maybe our older age than the singer discovered by David Gilmour from the Pink Floyd is the key answer.)

L’élément le plus excentriqu fut d’apprendre ces mouvements non académiques. Cela ressemble, surtout maintenant à un hommage à Lindsay Kemp, celui qui inspira tellement la chanteuse notamment lors du concert de David Bowie dans l’ouest de Londres (le genre d’événement aussi révolutionnaire que celui des Sex Pistols à Manchester, demandez à Joy Division, ils vous raconteront…). Celui aussi qui apprit à l’artiste une nouvelle forme d’expression sans prononcer le moindre mot. Nous avons essayé d’être au niveau même si les non sportives, que nous sommes, ont dû renoncer à quelques mouvements trop acrobatiques. (Peut-être notre âge, un brin plus élevé que celui que la femme-orchestre découverte par David Gilmour des Pink Floyd, est un élément de réponse.)

I was even about to forget the high emotional level of the song. Helped by a French teacher friend visiting the city, we tried to explain Emily Brontë’s story and philosophy, even if the artist had been struck by Wuthering Heights – not in paper but via screen –  astonished by the last 5 minutes of a black and white TV show. The whole story in Hampstead Heath, especially dry yellow thanks to scorching summer. Oh I know what you are thinking about. Why didn’t you pick Box Hill? Because, on top of being extremely far away from central London, the director himself was not sure about the location of the shooting… Things will be more accurate next time (Yes There will be next times 😉 )

J’ai failli en oublier le niveau assez émouvant de la chanson. Avec une amie professeure de français de passage dans la ville, nous essayons de vulgariser l’histoire et la philosophie d’Emily Brontë. Bien que l’artiste ait plus été sensible à la version filmée, totalement captivée par les 5 dernières minutes d’une adaptation télé en noir et blanc. Tout cela à Hampstead Heath, totalement jaunie et desséchée par l’été caniculaire . Oh je sais ce que vous vous dites : “pourquoi ne pas avoir choisi Box Hill?” En plus de sa distance vraiment extrême, le réalisateur du clip lui-même n’était pas sûr du lieu du tournage… Mais la précision sera au rendez-vous la prochaine fois (oui car il y aura des prochaines fois..)

Texts: Solène L. Model: Kelly Pictures by ©Alice Menguy 

Pour d’autres histoires musicales à Londres suivez-moi ou contactez-moi 😉

I’m coming home to wuthering, wuthering, Wuthering Heights Since I came back to London, Kate Bush whispered to my headphones that I have to walk and dance with somebody in the woods.