Insolent Tangos

Abstract In this paper Marta E. Savigliano follows Blanchot (1943) in his explorations of insolence, Bergson (1911 [1900]) in his groundbreaking observations on the comic, Guattari (1996) in his reflections on soft subversions, and, as a self-described “fickle milonguita” (woman tango-dancer), various other authors in search of the transcultural limits of humorous choreographic tangos. The author’s guiding questions include: What makes tango dancing funny, how, and to whom? How are insolent tangos’ contestatory moves composed? Tangos’ tragic solemnity and piquant sobriety have often attracted the interest of physical humorists. This chapter focuses on tango humor in the hands of professional tango dancers who, unlike comedians, make a funny spectacle of what they know best and, in doing so, use their expertise to question spectators’ othering prejudices.