Ideal Chinese Beauty

Posted by Lori Henry Jul 8, 2006

It was an exquisite display of some of the most exciting dancers in the city. They explored how these 3-inch lotus shoes, so idolized by Chinese culture, would make them move and interact with both sexes and in their own bodies.

What emerged was passionate sensuality, athletic movements and some top-notch performances. Although most of the show moved from one abstract moment to the next, the parts that really stirred me were when the dancers had the shoes on and were learning how to walk and move for the first time.

It's hard to understand the beauty ideals of other cultures, in our dominant North American society. But that's what they are: ever-changing standards that differ from country to country, culture to culture.