Slam, Madonna's former dancer, talks about the 'Madonna experience'

Slam, l'ancien danseur de Madonna, parle de 'l'expérience Madonna'.


Published: July 18. 2008 09:30AM
Return of the classicist
By Nancy Acton

When 'Concepts in Motion', a programme presented by the In Motion School of Dance's senior company, opens at City Hall this evening, among the pieces choreographed by faculty, overseas and local choreographers, will be 'The Room' by Salim Gauwloos.
Popularly known as 'Slam' when he was a dancer with Madonna's 'Blond Ambition' tour, in her 'Truth or Dare' backstage documentary, and her 'Vogue' video, today the classical ballet-trained son of a Belgian mother and Moroccan father has put that moniker behind him as he forges a new and highly successful career as a sought-after choreographer who travels the world.
During his Bermuda visit, Mr. Gauwloos sat down with Lifestyle's Nancy Acton to talk about his life, the 'Madonna experience', the frustration which ultimately led to his transition from dancer to choreographer, what inspires him, his thoughts on hip hop dancing, and more.
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Growing up in Belgium, Salim Gauwloos began training as a classical dancer at the Ballet of Flanders in Antwerp at the age of 14.
Three years later, he was one of 2,000 dancers who auditioned for a scholarship to the prestigious Steps Dance School in New York City.
Only two were successful, of whom he was one. So the teenager set off for a new life in America, and has never looked back.
Today, he enjoys a reputation not only as an extraordinary dancer, but also as an exceptionally gifted choreographer, thanks to years of intense training and dedication, wonderful opportunities, and an insatiable love of his art.
In fact, it is hard to imagine that, as a teenager, he first wanted to be a gymnast but turned to classical ballet because he knew that its technique was the basis of all dance forms, and once mastered would allow him to escape its constrictions and do whatever he wanted.
Mr. Gauwloos' association with Madonna began in February 1990 when he responded to a newspaper advertisement inviting dancers to audition for her 'Blond Ambition' tour.
She interviewed him personally, and two days later called to say he was one of seven whom she was hiring. One month later, they all flew to Los Angeles to begin rehearsals.
"I was petrified of flying, but we always flew everywhere," he says. "We rehearsed for two months, and at the same time we also shot the 'Vogue' video and a documentary about her 'Truth or Dare' tour.
It was about everybody else and how we came together, what happens backstage mixed with some of the stage show. None of us knew it was going to be such a big deal.
"Madonna is very petite — five feet three and a half inches tall — and her strength and work ethic are a terrific example of 'follow your dream'.
"She taught me that if you work as hard as possible you can do whatever you want to do. It inspired me to see the woman control everything — all the big business guys, everyone.
"That's probably what made her so successful. I don't think I've ever seen anybody work that hard."
In fact, Mr. Gauwloos became the face of 'Vogue'. From working with Madonna, he went on to work in the commercial world, performing in music videos for the most popular artists in the entertainment industry, including Aretha Franklin and George Michael.
He also performed in New York City Opera productions of 'Salome', 'Daphne' and 'Candide', and his Broadway credits include choreographing a contemporary piece for Elton John and Tim Rice's 'Aida' and 'Mambo Kings, The Workshop'.
As fabulous and interesting as this period in his career was, the dancer grew disenchanted with changing standards, artistic merit, and media coverage, and decided to return to the ballet world.
Comparing dancers in stage shows today with those when he began, he says, "We were all classically trained. We were doing double tours, grand jetés and more.
In America today it's all about experience in hip-hop, especially when working with artists. There is nothing artistic about the dancing. It is all about shaking your butt and I didn't feel it any more."
While he laments the lack of opportunities for trained dancers today, he also feels their time will come again.
"We are all waiting for the whole hip-hop thing to go away. I am not bitter about it, but I am waiting for something else.
"The classically trained dancers have worked so hard — to become a trained dancer takes years. I'm still learning. Today, people want everything quickly.
"Hip-hop is quick. You have two rehearsals and they shoot it, then they cut it up afterwards and it looks good."
As for the media's focus, the choreographer says: "It became about your private life. What you did wasn't important any more.
"They were more interested in your private life than what you did as an artist. In the contemporary ballet world it is still about your performance and what you create."
Which is not to say Mr. Gauwloos would never work with an artist again, but it would have to be the right one, and with the artistic freedom to do what he wanted.
"I'm not about shaking my butt, but doing what people like to see. If I had a kid I would never let it do what dancers do today. What we did with Madonna wasn't slutty, now it's like ugh."
Meanwhile, since he turns 40 this year, he has transitioned from dance performance to choreography, a line which he admits took a long time to cross, and one with which many of his friends are still coming to terms.
"I decided one day, 'I am going to stop now'. I didn't have the drive to take classes every day. I enjoyed dancing, but I don't miss it. Choreography and yoga are my big things how," he says.
Indeed, Mr. Gauwloos was selected to showcase his choreography in the prestigious Ballet Builders 2002, 2004, and 2006, and his work choreographing the number for the performance of 'Aida' at the 'Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids' event won the 'Gypsy of the Year 2003' award.
Among his many accolades, the award-winning choreographer has earned rave reviews for two world premières set for the Orlando Ballet under the artistic direction of the legendary Fernando Bujones, to whom he also dedicated his popular 'I Breathe You In'.
He also created the contemporary solo, 'Coming of Age' for Joseph Gorak of American Ballet Theatre II and winner of the Youth America Grand Prix 2006 in New York City.
He takes his inspiration from Nature and people when creating new works, and says that is one of the reasons he likes coming to Bermuda.
Mr. Gauwloos speaks Flemish, Spanish, English and French, and understands German, which allows him to travel in Europe and South American without difficulty, where he teaches and conducts workshops. Of communicating with dancers, he simply says: "Dance is a universal language. We put the music on and speak with our bodies."
For all his success, however, this charming artist remains extraordinarily humble, for which he credits his mother, his partner and young dance students.
"To me it is the most attractive thing when an artist is humble. Many artists are so out of touch with reality. You are who you are, not because of what you do."

Source: The Royal Gazette.
 

Remaining humble: Despite being an Internationally acclaimed artist and award-winning choreographer,
Salim Gauwloos, formerly known as Slam when he tourned with Madonna, finds humility the most attractive attribute in an artist. Mr. Gauwloos was in Bermuda to choreograph 'The Room' especially for this weekend's programme featuring Concepts in Motion dancers. 
Photo: Boz Swope.