Graciela González: Bodily Experience and generational change in Traditional Tango

Abstract

The study of body gesture and the participatory construction of the movements of the ‘old’ argentine milongueros is hampered by the fact that their protagonists are no longer alive. This work investigates both themes in an indirect way, conducting a semi-directed interview with the relevant teacher and dancer Graciela González, who since the 80's had as master and was dance partner of Norberto 'Pupi' Castello, one of the myths of the milonga 'porteña'. Gonzalez describes some of the lesser known gestural and intentional characteristics of these ‘old’ milongueros, and esplains how some of these characteristics have been lost as a result of generational changes and the speed of communications brought about by social networks.