About Tempest | Gothic Belly Dance | Nouveau Noir Dance | Other Work by Tempest

What is Nouveau Noir Dance?

Well, it's an offshoot of Gothic Belly Dance that particularly focuses on and revels in turn-of-the-century inspirations, and coined by Tempest.

Nouveau comes from "Art Nouveau" - a movement of art throughout Europe and the United States that cherished the organic, the naturally beautiful, and the intricate. It later morphed into the "Art Deco" movement, which was influenced by Howard Carter's discovery of Tutankhamun (Egyptmania spread throughout the world as it marveled at the treasures revealed), as well as the more "sophisticated" advancements of the Industrial Revolution.

Noir speaks to the darker side of things, the drama of early silent films all the way through "Film Noir" in the early mid-20th Century. It alludes to danger, from being in danger to being dangerous.

Also, there is a definite homage to "Orientalism" (which thrived and blossomed in the early part of the 20th century), the 1920's and 30's, and even into the 40's in Nouveau Noir Dance. It depends on each piece and the story in which the artist wishes to portray and enthrall her audience with.

All in all, Nouveau Noir simultaneously pays homage to the past while moving forward into the future, new merges with old, sacred meets profane, oddity and elegance co-exist. It exists in the realm of Neo-Victorian, Steampunk, and the Punk Flapper.

Discover more about just some of these inspirations:

Art Nouveau: Mucha | Beardsley
Art Deco: Erte
Ruth St. Denis | Mata Hari | Theda Bara