{"id":547,"date":"2018-03-05T04:33:16","date_gmt":"2018-03-05T04:33:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hiistheory.com\/hiis-dance\/?p=547"},"modified":"2024-03-10T16:52:47","modified_gmt":"2024-03-10T16:52:47","slug":"responding-to-aidas-discussion-of-copycat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hiistheory.com\/hiis-dance\/2018\/03\/05\/responding-to-aidas-discussion-of-copycat\/","title":{"rendered":"Responding To Aida\u2019s Discussion of \u2018CopyCat\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>1st March 2018: Are you a copycat in Dance ? by Aida Redza.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fb-root\"><\/div>\n<p><script>(function(d, s, id) {  var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];  if (d.getElementById(id)) return;  js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;  js.src = 'https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.12';  fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));<\/script><\/p>\n<div class=\"fb-post\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/aida.redza\/posts\/10155327880362452\" data-width=\"750\">\n<blockquote cite=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/aida.redza\/posts\/10155327880362452\" class=\"fb-xfbml-parse-ignore\">\n<p>Are you a copycat in Dance ? Let\u2019s talk about the plagiarism problems in Dance. I would like to ask friends in Dance&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Posted by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/aida.redza\">Aida Redza<\/a> on&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/aida.redza\/posts\/10155327880362452\">Wednesday, February 28, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/aida.redza\/posts\/10155327880362452\">https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/aida.redza\/posts\/10155327880362452<br \/>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Conversations here got me thinking ceaselessly for days: Why the act of copying is such a big deal? Is it merely because we\u2019re intolerant for disrespect or dishonest? Or more likely it is the incorrect recognition or credit has been given to someone who is not entitle to it? What is just when we\u2019re talking about teaching, learning and excelling? I think ultimately it relates to our education pattern and mindset here, concerning whether or not students are given enough room or freedom for creativities. Simple question \u2013 do we teach and only expect students to follow and comply? How often we wished students would not do something other than instructions and hope that they only do what we considered \u2018correct\u2019? I assume the issue of copycat can be less complicated if \u2018creativity\u2019 is always practiced, as everyone just likes to express themselves with individual distinct ideas. May be I\u2019m idealised.<\/p>\n<p>Alright be realistic, why do we copy? Why do we create? Why do we dance? I\u2019m picturing possibilities&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>* We copy because we have no time to create our own \/ because we have no knowledge to create \/ because it is the easiest way to do \/ because it makes greater impact \/ because everyone is doing so..?<br \/>\n* We create because we want to explore the unknown \/ because it is a required job \/ because the trend forces it \/ because we want to examine \/ because we want to compete..?<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Just because the police didn\u2019t catch me stealing then I am not a thief. Right?<br \/>\n&#8211; Just because many people have done it doesn\u2019t mean it can become the right thing to do. Right?<br \/>\n&#8211; Just because everyone has received some sort of compensation or no one has lost anything, the act of copying shall bring no harm. Right?<\/p>\n<p>What is right and what is wrong here? Why is right or wrong important? I personally believe that sometimes norm is not necessarily \u2018the\u2019 standard. Especially we are in so-called creative industry, imagine what will happen if everyone is not looking at creativity anymore but just \u2018the standard\u2019 \/ the norms? On the other hand, what is dance? What is our reason to copy \/ to create \/ to dance? I believe the answer can be a very personal choice as ultimately it relates to the way we see things, the arts and our life. We can have very different way to live but the important thing we should know is what we are doing and why we do it.<\/p>\n<p>Anyway, let\u2019s not stop at answering.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hiistheory.com\/hiis-dance\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/03\/original.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-555\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hiistheory.com\/hiis-dance\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/03\/original.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"249\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hiistheory.com\/hiis-dance\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/03\/original.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.hiistheory.com\/hiis-dance\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/03\/original-300x187.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hiistheory.com\/hiis-dance\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/04\/Dont-CopyCat.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-549\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hiistheory.com\/hiis-dance\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/04\/Dont-CopyCat-300x218.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"291\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hiistheory.com\/hiis-dance\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/04\/Dont-CopyCat-300x218.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hiistheory.com\/hiis-dance\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/04\/Dont-CopyCat-768x558.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.hiistheory.com\/hiis-dance\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/04\/Dont-CopyCat.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.hiistheory.com\/hiis-dance\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/04\/Dont-CopyCat-468x340.jpg 468w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I have not find the significant why but I think it is necessary to discuss pop dances, traditional dance form and theatrical dance form separately especially in relation to this issue of \u2018copycat\u2019. Even better if we can reference them to a specific culture or context. I suppose it is a bit early for us to generalise how we perceive \u2018dance\u2019 if it is not a subject that already has common understanding and notably dance changes according to time and space.<\/p>\n<p>To popularise a dance\/movement\/form, we make it visible, learnable and repeatable. That\u2019s the purpose and that\u2019s the way, regardless it is a traditional or contemporary piece. So if the intention is merely to wide spread, the action of duplication is expected. Rightful or not is another topic perhaps determined by law or ethic. Copy or imitation other people\u2019s classwork or choreography is usually acceptable if it is for own personal knowledge or to enhance individual skill. Any idea beyond this intention bring suspicion. Fair enough.<\/p>\n<p>In another scenario when we tend to preserve a dance form, we possibly go through codification, documentation, systemic teaching or even examination. Understanding the context\/concept is ideal and necessary, although in many cases only the steps and the exterior elements of dance have been passed on due to convenience (or negligent sometimes). Duplication is usually required in order to retain as much as possible. If not, imitation or reconstruction is practiced in order to suit the local context. From time to time, there are people seeking elements of creativity or contemporaneous on some traditional forms. How to justify and how to find balance, it is indeed a complicate and controversial process that probably require a few generations to work out.<\/p>\n<p>If we\u2019re specifically talking about creativity or innovation in choreography, imitation may not be something to focus because obviously the aims are different. We have a number of dance competitions in the country that promote \u2018conservation of traditional dance and\/or culture\u2019, however they are using quite different tactic. For example, some encourage new choreography that has minimal similarity with the traditional form whereas some accept imitation or reorganising of existing dance piece\/forms. I am not surprise to hear dispute and contrasting arguments because by far not many of us has sit down to seriously discuss the rationality, the effectiveness or impact of these tactics in the development of dance (education). Relying on conclusion of individual judges or committees are sometimes insufficient. I believe it takes not less than the whole community to negotiate for an agreement, if we were to call it \u2018our dance\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>Going back to the issue of copycat. Universal title like \u2018choreographer\u2019 does not inform one\u2019s level of creativity (e.g. 100% \/ 50% \/ 0% effort of originality), or how skilled this person is. Paying respect and giving credits to original works show only manners, it reflects one\u2019s professional conduct. I suppose if we have intention to imitate or copy a dance piece or steps, we must have sensibly evaluated the how, the cost and the risk, and be responsible to all our decisions. Also note that, we copy is never because audiences want to see it, it\u2019s only because we want to do so \u2013 despite how awesome and beautiful the dance is. Let\u2019s remind each other again why \u2018creative industry\u2019 exist, shouldn\u2019t we? J<\/p>\n<p>Sorry for the long-winded message. I am just talking from my limited knowledge and experience that may not be inclusive, but I\u2019m willing to learn more from here. Cheers~<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1st March 2018: Are you a copycat in Dance ?  by Aida Redza. <\/p>\n<p>(well, a couple of comments seem not enough&#8230;)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":562,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,29,39],"tags":[14,36,35,40,46],"class_list":["post-547","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-abt-dancing","category-findings","category-thinking","tag-dance","tag-education","tag-intention","tag-performing-arts","tag-thinking"],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiistheory.com\/hiis-dance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/547","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiistheory.com\/hiis-dance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiistheory.com\/hiis-dance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiistheory.com\/hiis-dance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiistheory.com\/hiis-dance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=547"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiistheory.com\/hiis-dance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/547\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":911,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiistheory.com\/hiis-dance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/547\/revisions\/911"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiistheory.com\/hiis-dance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/562"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiistheory.com\/hiis-dance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=547"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiistheory.com\/hiis-dance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=547"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiistheory.com\/hiis-dance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=547"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}