Merce Cunningham response
I didn't know much about Merce Cunningham so I decided to watch a few interviews on youtube to learn more about him. At first I didn't really like his style, but after a few views, it has grown on me.
Cunningham was innovative. In the About the Arts interview, he mentions how dance doesn't require music and how it's better for the dancer to not rely on music. Evidence of this is seen when some of his students dance. It seems as though that music playing to the dance rather than the dancers dancing to the music (and I believe he mentions this in the interview as well). It is definitely different than what we see today, if you were to watch Dancing with the Stars or So You Think You Can Dance where how the dance routine is performed depends on the music. Although, in a 1981 interview, he and John Cage agree that music and dance are related by time and that time was really the only thing they would use to put the dance and music together. Cunningham didn't get to hear the music until the first performance many times. He also mentions in one of the interviews (and i think this was said in class also) that he has had painters paint while he would dance. Usually one hears of art and music or music and dance, but art and dance isn't a common combo.
r.i.p. merce cunningham.
About the Arts Interview
note: There is some background noise in the above video.
1981 interview
Merce Cunningham Dance Company promo
Beach Birds 1
Cunningham was innovative. In the About the Arts interview, he mentions how dance doesn't require music and how it's better for the dancer to not rely on music. Evidence of this is seen when some of his students dance. It seems as though that music playing to the dance rather than the dancers dancing to the music (and I believe he mentions this in the interview as well). It is definitely different than what we see today, if you were to watch Dancing with the Stars or So You Think You Can Dance where how the dance routine is performed depends on the music. Although, in a 1981 interview, he and John Cage agree that music and dance are related by time and that time was really the only thing they would use to put the dance and music together. Cunningham didn't get to hear the music until the first performance many times. He also mentions in one of the interviews (and i think this was said in class also) that he has had painters paint while he would dance. Usually one hears of art and music or music and dance, but art and dance isn't a common combo.
r.i.p. merce cunningham.
About the Arts Interview
note: There is some background noise in the above video.
1981 interview
Merce Cunningham Dance Company promo
Beach Birds 1
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