Recently, Australian singer Sia Kate Isobelle Furler, better known simply as Sia, released a music video to her single ‘Elastic heart’. The breathtaking dance routine was performed by 12 year old Maddie Ziegler and 28 year old Shia Labeou. Since it was released the video has gained as much praise as it has criticism. I have to admit, when I first watched the video it didn't even cross my mind that people would relate this to paedophilia, but then again I can sometimes forget how closed minded and negative people can be. I was so drawn in by this video and think that its so open to interpretation that everybody could relate to the video in some way if they let themselves. I think the intention Sia had was that everybody could have their own opinion on what it’s about which I think is the best way to view art. However, she did say that her intention was to create an emotional piece and that Shia and Maddie where both suposed to show a different side to Sia. Even when I watch this video back I don’t see this as glorifying paedophilia, I see it as a highly skilled and artistic way of getting Sia’s feeling/message across.
When people first started to criticize the video, Sia took it upon herself to apologise via twitter. I personally don’t think she needed to apologise because as I said its open to interpretation and they can view it how they want to, that's not Sia’s fault. I know some people reading this might disagree and that makes me sad, because if people see all things in this way then they are going to miss out on so many beautiful things in life.
When Sia apologised she said “All I can say is Maddie and Shia are two of the only actors I felt could play these two warring 'Sia' self states." And I completely agree. I think they both have a fantastic connection in the video, the two interact with physical and emotional integrity and I really couldn't imagine it being with any other actors. I do appreciate why people may be concerned about the age but I think that if a 12 year old can dance like that then we should definitely embrace it. I think the age difference and then skin coloured costumes are crucial in the performance and without both aspects it wouldn't have been as powerful. I've always been a fan of Shia Labeou, he’s been acting from a very young age and I remember being quite young watching him in something and my brother saying to me “He’s going to be a fantastic actor when he’s older, I guarantee it” and I've always remembered that and kept one eye on him. I think it’s great he’s expanding from films and doing something interesting like this, it would be great to see more actors trying new things out.
When Maddie was asked about her view on the video she said “I've never danced with a much older guy like that before -- and it wasn't like we were actually dancing together because we were fighting each other. We were battling. I'm supposed to be portraying a werewolf and pretty much Shia and I have been just living in the cage for a year and I'm the strong one and I'm trying to pretty much kill him,"... If a twelve year old can see that why can’t we?
I’ve watched this video so many times now and still can’t comprehend how beautiful and powerful it is. I was first shown this by my friend who has the same opinion as me and we discussed it before and after the critics came out with the idea of it having paedophilia undertones and our opinions have stayed the same. We are both strong enthusiasts of emotion and stories being shown through art and think it’s a great view to have. If you do think this is wrong then try to open your mind, push away thought of it being wrong and try to think of what else it could mean to you. Not all things are bad!!
Let me know your take on this video; Do you think its art or paedophilia? All opinions are welcome. I’ll leave a link to the video for those who haven’t seen this. And remember... keep an open mind!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWZGAExj-es
Cass x
Cass x
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Such an interesting post! I'd heard some buzz about this when it came out, but never really looked into it. I think this is such an interesting line. I'm all for controversial, brutal art--performance artists rolling over broken glass, transgressive fiction, things that scandalize. This one is tricky just because it's always unclear to what extent children in these acting positions are performing of their own totally free will, with full understanding of what they're doing. And whether their nudity is too much.
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