Philippe Verrièle's 'La Muse de la mauvaise réputation' Explores Dance and Eroticism

Philippe Verrièle, a dancer and former director of Les Saisons de la danse, has authored a new book titled 'La Muse de la mauvaise réputation. Danse et érotisme,' published by Éditions la Musardine as part of the l'Attrape-corps collection. The work investigates the relationship between dance and eroticism, noting that despite the body being the medium of choreographic art, few dance pieces intentionally provoke erotic feelings in the audience. Verrièle regrets this absence and seeks to understand its historical and sociological reasons. His analysis covers a wide range of dance forms, including classical, modern, butô, tango, and even striptease. The book aims to dispel misconceptions, such as the idea that nudity in 'non-danse conceptuelle' over the past decade automatically makes dance erotic, whereas choreographers often use nudity to return to a purity of practice. The study also examines ambiguities between dance and sexuality, like the romantic ballet's ballerina figure (the dancer plus pointe shoes and tutu) as an erotic icon. Ultimately, the book serves as a manifesto for an erotic dance, a liberation that would dare address 'that essential and monstrous part of ourselves.' Recent creations, primarily by women, may herald this liberation.