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Exit tango: satire on the end of a dance craze, 1914
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Exit tango: satire on the end of a dance craze, 1914
Satirical comment from Punch Magazine on the end of the tango craze. A couple dance off, while a some what more conservatively dressed spirit of dancing gladly wakes up from the " nightmare" of the tango craze. The spirit of dancing(waking up): " Well, thank heavens thats over; one of the dullest nightmares I ever met." Date: 1914
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Exit Tango - A Satirical Look at the End of a Dance Craze, 1914
EDITORS COMMENTS
This image, published in Punch Magazine in 1914, offers a humorous commentary on the waning popularity of the tango dance craze. The photograph depicts a couple in the throes of an intense tango, their bodies contorted in the passionate dance steps that had swept the nation just a short time ago. Meanwhile, a somewhat more conservatively dressed spirit of dancing, represented by a reclining woman, wakes up from the "nightmare" of the tango craze with a relieved expression. The woman, with a fan in hand and a demure gesture, looks on as the couple dance, her eyes expressing a sense of relief and even amusement at the spectacle. The background of the image features a bear skin rug and a tea set, adding to the allegorical nature of the scene. The spirit of dancing, with a look of exhaustion and disdain, utters the line "Well, thank heavens that's over; one of the dullest nightmares I ever met." The tango dance craze had begun in the late 1800s and had reached its peak in popularity by the early 1910s. The dance, which originated in Argentina, was seen as a radical and even scandalous novelty, with its sultry moves and close contact between partners. However, as the novelty wore off and the dance became more mainstream, many people began to tire of it, leading to a backlash against the tango and a desire for more traditional forms of dancing. This satirical print captures the essence of this cultural shift, poking fun at the intense passion and energy of the tango craze while also expressing relief that it was coming to an end. The image is a fascinating glimpse into the social and cultural history of the early 20th century, offering a humorous and insightful commentary on the way that dance trends come and go.
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