I’ve been in a head-cold haze these past few days. But this little item in my inbox (thanks, Ben) perked me up:
Beyoncé vs. Anne Teresa

It appears that Ms. Knowles (or, more likely, one of her persons) has been studying Ms. De Keersmaeker. [Update: it appears that Ms. De K is not amused! Per the Guardian: “What’s rude is that they don’t even bother about hiding it. They seem to think they could do it because it’s a famous work … Am I honoured? Look I’ve seen local school kids doing this. That’s a lot more beautiful.”]

On the one hand, how great. Beyoncé has a track record of referencing and repurposing in her videos (ATDK is just the tip of the iceberg in Countdown). On the other hand, what about credit? What about intellectual property? Do the artists she references/borrows/steals from get anything in return? Like, um, cash?
Because, of course, were Beyoncé some broke-ass indie singer-songwriter with a measly cult following, what would it matter? Or if she lived in the concert dance world. There’s a long history of referencing/borrowing/stealing among choreographers (look at Sarah Michelson’s Devotion for a recent, and fabulous, example). And of course dancers have long been responsible (and not always credited) for generating movement for their bosses.
Maybe she could just, I dunno – endow PARTS. And call it a day.