Research Catalog

Six American Dance Pioneers : A Look Back, A Leap Forward: Merce Cunningham (Close-Up).

Title
Six American Dance Pioneers : A Look Back, A Leap Forward: Merce Cunningham (Close-Up).
Publication
2001.

Available Online

NYPL Digital Collections

Details

Additional Authors
  • Edsall, Mary E.
  • Cunningham, Merce
  • Vaughan, David, 1924-
  • Painted Bride Art Center.
  • Merce Cunningham Dance Company.
Description
2 streaming video files (97 min.) : sound, color.
Summary
Reel 1. David Vaughn (archivist, Merce Cunningham Dance Company) begins speaking mid-sentence at the conclusion of his talk about the four events that led to discoveries by Merce Cunningham which include Cunningham's work with John Cage, chance operations, video film work and Lifeforms dance computer program; Cunningham discusses the creation of his choreographic work, Story, after a film is shown; performing in India; improvisation; camera work of Charles Atlas and the differences between performances for camera and on stage including the relationship to perception, repetition, and speed; Cunningham's introduction and working with the computer software program, Lifeforms, which was created by Simon Fraser University; illustrating the use of Lifeforms by showing a film of CRWDSPCR; the creation of movement/images for Biped using Lifeforms; showing a film of Hand Drawn Spaces, which has some of the work done for Biped ; mentioning the Biped costumes by Susanne Gallo, lighting by Aaron Cop, and music by Gavin Byers; showing the beginning of the Biped video filmed in Canne, France by Charles Atlas (ends abruptly). Reel 2. Conclusion of Biped film ; Question and Answer Session which includes questions about the reconstruction of Summer Space; Cunningham's basis for choreographic decisions and how he is precise but still has freedom regarding space, time and movement; the difference between the company's former and current dancers; and concludes with a childhood story of leaping over bushes with his brother Jack.
Series Statement
Susan Hess Modern Dance Lecture Series Video Archive
Uniform Title
  • Story (Choreographic work : Cunningham)
  • CRWDSPCR (Choreographic work : Cunningham)
  • Hand-drawn spaces (Choreographic work : Cunningham)
  • Biped (Choreographic work : Cunningham)
  • Susan Hess Modern Dance Lecture Series Video Archive.
Alternative Title
  • Merce Cunningham
  • Dance at the Painted Bride
Subject
  • Cunningham, Merce
  • Atlas, Charles
  • Cage, John
  • Merce Cunningham Dance Company
  • Story (Choreographic work : Cunningham)
  • CRWDSPCR (Choreographic work : Cunningham)
  • Hand-drawn spaces (Choreographic work : Cunningham)
  • Biped (Choreographic work : Cunningham)
  • Summerspace (Choreographic work : Cunningham)
  • Choreography
  • Modern dance > United States
  • Dance > History > 20th century
  • Computers > Dance applications
Genre/Form
  • Dance.
  • Video.
  • Filmed dance.
  • Interviews.
  • Nonfiction films.
Note
  • Title taken from opening speech, original cassette label, and other catalog records.
  • Reel 1 (57 min.) ; Reel 2 (40 min.).
  • Dance film excerpts interspersed during discussion include: Story, Hand Drawn Spaces, CRWDSPCR and Biped.
Access (note)
  • Patrons can access streaming video files online only onsite at the Library for the Performing Arts.
Credits (note)
  • Presented by Susan Hess Modern Dance ; videotaped by Dorothea.
Source (note)
  • Susan Hess;
Contents
  • Reel 1. Merce Cunningham with dance films (begins abruptly with interview in progress) (57 min.) / speakers, Merce Cunningham and David Vaughn.
  • Reel 2. Merce Cunningham (conclusion of Biped film) (6 min.) -- Question & Answer Session (34 min.) / moderator, Mary Edsall ; participant, Merce Cunningham.
Call Number
*MGZIDF 1480
OCLC
896963687
Title
Six American Dance Pioneers : A Look Back, A Leap Forward: Merce Cunningham (Close-Up).
Production
2001.
Country of Producing Entity
U.S.
Type of Content
two-dimensional moving image
Type of Medium
computer
video
Type of Carrier
online resource
Series
Susan Hess Modern Dance Lecture Series Video Archive
Susan Hess Modern Dance Lecture Series Video Archive.
Original Version
Original format: 2 videocassettes (Mini DV).
Restricted Access
Patrons can access streaming video files online only onsite at the Library for the Performing Arts.
Credits
Presented by Susan Hess Modern Dance ; videotaped by Dorothea.
Event
Videotaped during talk at Painted Bride Art Center, Philadelphia, Pa. 2001 May 20.
Source
Gift; Susan Hess; 2010.
Connect to:
NYPL Digital Collections
Local Subject
Life forms (Computer program)
Videodance.
Added Author
Edsall, Mary E., moderator.
Cunningham, Merce, speaker.
Cunningham, Merce, choreographer.
Vaughan, David, 1924- speaker.
Painted Bride Art Center.
Merce Cunningham Dance Company.
Hess, Susan, donor.
Added Title
Container of (work): Story (Choreographic work : Cunningham)
Container of (work): CRWDSPCR (Choreographic work : Cunningham)
Container of (work): Hand-drawn spaces (Choreographic work : Cunningham)
Container of (work): Biped (Choreographic work : Cunningham)
Research Call Number
*MGZIDF 1480
View in Legacy Catalog