Pole as Art
- Axiom1418
- Jul 29, 2021
- 3 min read
“The body is like a paint brush.” Sarah Polerina, Pole Dance Instructor and Competitive Pole Dancer
Shapes, light, colour, and texture are elements that artists take into consideration when they are creating. This is not different with pole dance. The shapes are what your body makes. The lights are what you use on your stage, and you can add colour through your costumes. I think that even ‘texture’ can be seen in pole dancing, but perhaps more metaphorical. I see it in the music the dancer uses, layering of shapes and moves, the flow of the choreography, or possibly in the emotion they display.
When it comes to an artistic pole performance, whether it’s for a competition or a show, telling a story is essential. It can be a light humorous piece or a serious, gorgeous and moving piece, like Crystal Belcher's 2013 U.S. National Pole Championships performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jN4DyicBWs. Out of all the performances I’ve seen, I will never forget that one.
I’m always intrigued by how the mind of an artist works and the process that they use. Sarah Polerina, instructor and competitive dancer, likes to pick something that she’s inspired by and builds on it. When creating, Sarah often works backwards and lets her body absorb what’s happening. It is evident that Sarah has the mind-body connection that we talked about in an earlier post.
My fellow student, Axel Dust, is an artist by trade, a painter. She now also uses pole dance for art.
Axel loves staging an entire piece, from costumes to music, and takes on different personas. She likes to change the music and costume to see how it changes the perceptions of the choreo - as we have talked about in a past blog. Check out her two videos below. She has used the same choreography (created by Sarah Polerina) in both, but changed the music and costume. What are your thoughts? Does your perception change?
Abstract art was Axel’s initial style of painting. Her art work was loved in Hong Kong, but Toronto has been more challenging. She felt like she lost her artistic mojo. She got her mojo back when she bought a beautiful lingerie outfit. She felt amazing in it and took a photo of herself wearing the lingerie. She loved the photo so much that she painted it and boom her mojo was back.
She decided to start a project on painting photos that were taken of people when they felt their sexiest. She loved the idea of people expressing their sexuality without shame. Many of these photos were photos of women in our pole community on a pole.
Many people (non-pole dancers) don’t look at pole dancing as a form of art. I love showing non-pole people a beautiful, creative pole performance and watching their expressions change. For example, check out Kristy Sellars' performance on Australia's Got Talent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaYEoA-aFIQ.
I encourage you to search for more pole dance performances on YouTube or other platforms. I’d love to hear which ones particularly catch your attention and draw you in. You can comment below in the comment section.
Photo Credits:
Main Photo: Sarah Polerina, Pole Dance Instructor & Competitor
I find all of Sarah's choreography artistic with a story to tell. The above videos with Axel Dust is her choreo.
IG: @sarah.polerina
Take lessons with her: https://www.patreon.com/sarahpolerina
Her Shadowbanned clothing line: https://www.instagram.com/shadovvbanned/?hl=en
Photo Credit: Kaylens Photography
2nd Photo: Suzy Giannaokpoulos, Pole Dance Instructor & Competitor
Take lessons with her: https://eroticpoleninja.ca/
Photo Credit: Lynda Allen
3rd Photo: Painting by Axel Dust - Artwork details: Title: Steph Year: 2021 Medium: Acrylic Ink on Arches 640gsm paper Size: 30 x 22 inches
Axel Dust: @axeldust
See more of her art work: www.axeldust.com
Photo Credit: Axel Dust
4th Photo: Me! Yes, that's my real cat, Ken. I wanted to do an artistic shoot of a witch and her black cat. He always looks grumpy, so he's perfect for the photo. I call it: Why use a broom when you have a pole!
Photo Credit: Kaylens Photography
Video Credit (For both videos): Choreography created by Sarah Polerina. Performer is Axel Dust. Videographer: Axel Dust.
Youtube links:
1st Link: Performer: Crystal Belcher Show: U.S. National Pole Championships Video Name: 2013 U.S. National Pole Championships Crystal Belcher Posted by PoleSportOrg Year: 2013
2nd Link: Performer: Kristy Sellars Show: Australia Gots Talent Video Name: Kristy's RAINBOW Pole Dancing Has Us MESMERISED | Semi Final | Australia's Got Talent 2019 Posted by: Australia's Got Talent Year: 2019
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