arts // no. §

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Do TikTok dances count as an art form?

» An analysis of the popular trend

Sonam Kaloti
Arts Editor

 

Aen to Collins Dictionary, the arts
re “activities such as music, painting,
literature, cinema, and dance, which
people can take part in for enjoyment,

or to create works which express serious
meanings or ideas of beauty.” So, we can
logically conclude that TikTok dances, like
every other form of art, are valid. Boom.
However, that doesn’t answer the bigger
question—do TikTok dances count as a
good form of art?

Recording yourself dancing can be
tricky because without a cameraman
you cannot move around much. Due to
this, most TikTok dance videos follow a
simple rule: just focus on moving your
upper body. Footwork is an integral part
of all dance, even for dance that is focused
more on arms alone (such as waacking).
Though, moving just your upper body
still counts as a sequence of steps; being
restricted to the upper body doesn’t
discredit the dance completely. But it
could be said that it is easier to dance this
way, just as it is easier to only learn the left
hand’s part for a piano piece.

Because TikTok dances are such a
popular trend, most people partake in it for
fun—not because they are trained in dance.
If they had taken any dance classes (at all)
I'm certain we'd see a lot more expression
on our TikTok feeds rather than the
common deadpan look that stares straight
into the camera. Alas, we are doomed to
face this face. Pro-tip for the TikTokers out
there: please smile... or frown... or anything.

TikTok dancing is far more focused
on being viral. This means that you'll
see dancers “Hitting The Woah,” doing
the “Milly Rock,” and “dabbing.” You'd
likely never see this type of dancing in
a professional environment, which calls
question to the authenticity of the dances.
Perhaps this simplicity is why the videos
are referred to by the term “TikTok dances”
rather than dancing on TikTok.

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If TikTok dances are worth less than
regular dancing, the drama behind their
popularity would beg to differ. Take the
famous “Renegade” dance, for example.

It has taken the internet world by storm
and was originally created by 14-year-old
Jalaiah Harmon. It rose to fame fast after
TikToker and “Hype House” member
Charli D’Amelio posted her version of
Harmon’s dance. The dance skyrocketed
D’Amelio’s fame, initially leaving Harmon
with virtually zero recognition because
D’Amelio did not give credit to the original

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creator. This eventually sparked outrage,
leading to a TikTok collab video between
the two, Harmon doing her dance at an
NBA All-Star game, and Harmon dancing
on Ellen. Harmon was awarded her rightful
recognition as the original creator, but
harm had already been done.

Climbing the fame ladder is just
as ruthless on TikTok as anywhere else,
clearly. Nonetheless, most people dance
because it makes them happy. Watching
their friends have fun also sparks joy,
and keeping connected with loved ones

Illustration by Morgan Hannah

through this fun expressive way is great
during current social distancing.

So, are TikTok dances real art? Yes. Are
TikTok dances good art? That’s subjective,
but there’s no denying that TikTok dances
lose the essence of any other genre of dance
due to their lack of movement, expression,
and emotional truth. TikTok dances do
not feel authentic as an art form, but the
human connection it serves to boost right
now atones for its sins.

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