‘In the summer of 2003, e-mails from themobproject@yahoo.com began to circulate inviting people to convene in a public place to take part in a random act with the sole purpose of confusing others. ‘ (source) Of course over the years Flash Mobs have occurred all over the world, in various places. The originator a man known only as “Bill.” (In 2006, the identity of “Bill” was revealed to be Harper’s Magazine editor Bill Wasik. source) Bill indicted that Flash Mobs have become ‘explicitly political–organizers using flash mobs as a tool for getting people together. There is no date on this interview and so when I saw this You Tube clip of a Flash Mob where in 200 ordinary Mumbaikars (Mumbai India) (aged 4-60) come together one busy Sunday evening for the pure joy of dancing. The historic CST station blares ‘Rang De Basanti’ on their speakers while surprised train commuters rush to see whats going on.
Though it looks totally spontaneous and joyful this performance was carefully planned.
‘Getting over 200 people to participate in a choreographed dance in the middle of Mumbai’s bustling central railway station required a month of planning, including visits to three different departments at the station for security clearance. Atul Rane, senior divisional operations manager at Indian Railways, helped coordinate with other departments to organize the lighting, ladders and camera placements’
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In May 2011, this Flash Mob in London also comes over as just happening, however the giveaway is that during the footage their are shots down on the dancers from what appears to be The Balcony at Buckingham Palace, in London. The clue is at the very end.
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The Telegraph reported on the ‘surprise’.
Maybe these were political once but now they do seem to be about joy and fun. For me, they make a statement about how in spite of all the woes and worries of the world, there is joy to be had, in the simple things.
What happened when you participated in a Flash Mob? What do you think about Flash Mobs?
