Michelle artistically through the years...

[mano]

AYS gave me this idea from her post on Kwanette's Hersh topic 'cause I was in complete agreement. Here's her quote: I shocked myself earlier this season by looking at her performance of Lyra Angelica from Nationals (which I hadn't watched since right after Nationals) in comparison to the sophistication and power of Skate America's RV performance this year. I actually found the difference just as striking as the change in her famous '95-'96 transition. I too was just watching Rach and Lyra on Thursday night last week and could not believe the difference between then and now. Bottom line is, I think Michelle could skate those two even better now than she ever did in '98 Nationals at Philadelphia. By that I mean, her line, extension, speed, hands, facial expression, etc have progressed since then. Watch them again, and watch her RV and other works now. The quality of Michelle's skating now including her jumps are so fine tuned detail-wise these days. No move is wasted in any of her programs.

[Karin]

I think that MK has gone from simply portaying characters to being part of the music (IMO like Lyra...EOE...and RV)!!!... OK, I've said this before...but I'll say it again... If I remember correctly, Tracy Wilson said on CTV or CTVSportsnet ( www.ctv.ca www.ctvsportsnet.ca ) that she had talked to Frank about RV...and he said that the music is very hard to skate to...because it has "no melody" or something like that...MK depends on herself to interpret the music... if that's not artistically challenging...then what is??? Hm... Yes ITA that MK doesn't stop being an improving artist...but as I've said before...I think that her stories and artistry behind her programs...are so in depth now...I don't think everyone appreciates it... I had a group project partner say to me that she doesn't understand why people say MK's skating is so mature...she said it looks the same to her everytime!!! Um...OK was my response!!! LOL...I think that may be MK's skating is so artistically upscale...may be doing something like Salome and Taj will get some people's attention again... To me...MK's skating is so peaceful...and she really has this calming effect...may be she can try portraying characters again??? JMO!!!

[AYS]

Well mano, I agree with you agreeing with me *g* One thing I forgot to mention that leaps out at me, is that MK has become a very sensual skater within the last year or two. I think MK is exploring her artistic voice. In ways she goes out on a limb, as with the choice of music from RV. I think it's pretty clear that more goes into the construction of her programs than trying to guess what will appeal to judges and fans - and some don't get it. To me, this indicates that she has artistic integrity. I also always respect Elvis for maintaining his artistic integrity, although sometimes his programs aren't to my taste. I also think that another way to put it is that, in ways, her artistic vision is leading her to produce work that may not have mass appeal. But to me that is not necessarily a bad indication - but then I am a huge fan of Ayn Rand's works as well. (If you don't know what I mean, then go read The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, and report back). I haven't heard her whine about the reception of a program, or not understanding the judging, etc., etc. so more power to her.

[kwanette]

I love everything that you all have said...I really think that Lyra at Nats was exactly what it should have been...a 17 year-old coming back from an injury, not knowing what she could do, no drama, just a "stripped" Michelle...no characters like Salome, no high drama like Ariane, no sensuality like TRV or OMT. Michelle was the "angel" because she was one that night...still is IMO....

[littleone4eva]

<A HREF=http://www.fsworld.com/bboard/Forum1/HTML/000860.html >http://www.fsworld.com/bboard/Forum1/HTML/000860.html </A> Interesting debate relating to some of this. So far, no bashing. Very intriguing.

[taf2]

Thanks for posting that link to my topic at FSW littleone4eva. I was also surprised that there is no bashing yet-I thought I was going to get clobbered or called a "psycho Kwan freak". BTW, thanks to whoever posted that link to Hersh's SA article on Kwanette's thread. I thought it was very effective within my post.

[kwanette]

Fabulous responses....Some from our own kwanophiles...

[Karin]

technical improvements... I'm guessing that when some people talk about MK not improving technically...I assume they mean jump wise...because a reverse camel, Kwan spiral...etc...over the years are definitely wowowowowow!!! When I clicked on the link and read that first post...I was thinking...hmmm...I've really never seen a Side By Side comparsion of 2 skaters where they did point out how wonderful MK's technique is!!!...just from what I have seen...may be there has been... IMO...why not do side by side comparisons of face EXPRESSIONS...ARM MOVEMENTS...etc...???...since it is figure skating!!!..IMHO...really should also be paying attention to the DETAILS TOO...not just "techniques"!!!