Ballet to cure traffic woes in Mexico City
MEXICO CITY: Remedios Rosas was walking down a Mexico City street when she saw seven tutu-clad dancers tiptoe to the sidewalk, their chins held high, and join pedestrians waiting to cross the road. When the light changed, music started and the dancers leaped into the street, twirling and twisting in front of surprised drivers.
The 58-second show – the duration of a Mexico City traffic light – is part of a theatre company’s attempt to brighten the days of motorists at snarled intersections in this sprawl- ing megalopolis notorious for its clogged roadways.
The street performances featured music ranging from ballet classics like Swan Lake and the Nutcracker to Michael Jackson’s Rock With Me.
Fighting the noise of car horns and rattling engines in the northwest Mexico City neighbourhood, the group danced to the tune of seven different songs, each complemented with its own routine and bright costume.
Now, the performances are part of an initiative called “the theatricality of public space”.
Since the performances began two weeks ago, the dancers have drawn the attention of a stable of photographers, videographers, and even a drone operator, all looking to capture a story that continues to grow.
“We never thought this was going to have to this kind of impact,” said one of the dancers, Manuela Ospina Castro.
“Not only are people accepting it, but they need it. They need these kinds of activities to get closer to art.”