O Come All Ye Haters.
The White House’s annual Christmas video, featuring an avant-garde tap dance performance of a timeless ballet, has been panned by social media critics for its “Hunger Games aesthetic,” as well as called “tacky” and “tasteless.”
First lady Jill Biden on Wednesday posted a two-and-a-half minute clip of New York City tap company Dorrance Dance’s take on Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite.”
The video features colorfully adorned sequined dancers wearing elaborate headdresses while they tap their way through a White House hallway festooned with candy cane columns to the Blue Room, which is decked out with Christmas trees in both white and colored lights alongside Nutcracker-inspired décor.
The wild artistic statement, which the first lady said contained “magic, wonder, and joy,” left many commenters’ heads spinning, with several pining for the easier-to-digest patriotic-themed Christmas video posted in 2020 by then-first lady Melania Trump.
A bit of magic, wonder, and joy brought to you by the talented tappers of Dorrance Dance, performing their playful interpretation of The Nutcracker Suite.
Enjoy! 💕 pic.twitter.com/qXtCm4t37o
— Jill Biden (@FLOTUS) December 13, 2023
“How utterly tacky, tasteless and ANTI Christmas. Melania’s was tasteful, seasonal, appealed to everyone and was absolutely breathtaking and gorgeous,” said one commenter.
Several users compared the technicolor visuals to something out of a dystopian film.
“Disney presents clockwork Orange,” one person commented.
“What’s with the Hunger Games aesthetic?,” asked another, while Federalist Editor-in-Chief Mollie Hemingway also panned the first lady’s “Hunger Games Capital District Christmas approach.”
Others wondered if mind-altering substances were involved in the production, with some referencing the bag of cocaine found in the West Wing over the summer.
“Looks like the WH switched from cocaine to acid,” one jokester said.
“The United States of Bananas,” another said.
Some did appreciate the artistic merit of the video, which did not feature either the first lady or President Joe Biden.
“Totally love it, Ms Biden as much as we have showed the love for your playful creative side and arts,” one opined.
Still, others said they would have preferred a more traditional presentation of the classic holiday season ballet.
“While I usually appreciate dance in all forms, this is a travesty. The Nutcracker Suite deserves better,” one wrote.
Dorrance Dance notes on its website that tap is a “subversive” dance form that is “rooted in protest and transcendence.”
“Our goal is to engage with audiences on a musical and emotional level, and to share the complex history and powerful legacy of this American art form throughout the country and the world.”
Source link: https://nypost.com/2023/12/14/news/jill-biden-christmas-video-mocked-for-clockwork-orange-look/