Gary Cohn

At Squeeze The Hive, 2014

Gary Cohn

Clubs & Associations

Foggy City Dancers
Midnight Squares
Western Star Dancers

Quick Facts

participated in Square Dancing Stained Glass, 2004

In Their Own Words

QUACK
Inspired by the sound effect that accompanies the call ACEY-DEUCEY. The sound “quack” originated as a dancer’s response to a caller’s mispronunciation of “Deucey” as “ducky”.

ALLEGORICAL REPRESENTATIONS:
Although the square is the foundation of the dance, a CIRCLE is more important to the spirit of square dancing because it is in the circle that all four couples join to become one. The motif of eight individual dancers united for a single purpose is represented by the eight segments of the ring and also by the eight stems and reeds growing from one plant. In the composition, the reed plant partners the duck, and initiates the dance with a BOW TO YOUR PARTNER. Objects appear both behind and in front of the circle as an indication of WEAVE THE RING. The lower portion of the ring is obliterated so that the ring actually can be seen as an arch with the cattails executing a DIVE THROUGH. And, speaking of cats, the cattails recall the sound effect “Meow” from the call MIX. The element of mystery of never knowing what will be called is represented by the shadowy mountains.

The pair of mountains is used to represent a side COUPLE, patiently waiting their turn to join in the patter. The slope of a mountain recalls the feeling of sashayed dancers “going up hill”. From behind the mountains come the rays of the sun, which of course, is a STAR. The rays touch upon elements of the ring to create the STAR PROMENADE. The duck is about to PASS THE OCEAN---or perhaps PASS THE SEA if the duck dances. Advanced level, (The boat was overloaded and has already sunk.) The right mountain is in front of the left mountain to represent RIGHT OVER LEFT as the dancers thank their squares. The entire tableau is on a base of YELLOW ROCKS to represent the affection of the dancers.

Or, maybe it is just a picture of a duck.

SQUARE DANCING
In conjunction with creating a theme for a window design that might represent the spirit of square dancing, I was asked what dancing means to me. The most important aspect to me is the group of individuals uniting together in a common goal. Each dancer is important to the goal and every couple is important; but it is the unification of all that creates a good square. Just as there is floor level, there is also square level. Setting individual ego and skill aside to determine the strengths and weaknesses of all involved and then making adjustments to find a perfect eight-part harmony can be an overwhelming thrill. When that goal is met, the final “Thank You” is truly sincere.^[1]