“Sport can trigger emotional responses [such as] nail-biting tension, awe, surprise and euphoria”, says the Royal Opera House, and dance can trigger the exact same reactions. It is argued, however, that these emotions and reactions triggered only last during sporting events, whereas art and cultural events can stir up emotions that may last longer than the initial moment of action. Sport is considered to be more about following a set of rules and keeping within the lines, whereas dancing and art is about bending the rules and breaking boundaries.
If following the exact definition of art and sport, one may consider dancing to be both a sport and art. If one is considering the technicalities behind a sporting activity and behind art, one may consider dancing to be purely art or sport. Some believe that whether dancers are athletes or artists, should depend ultimately on the dancer, what they choose to be, and the reason behind that choice.
Illustration: Rhodeen Davies
