MERCE CUNNINGHAM: Preface |
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Already in December 2008, corpus dedicated a series of texts to the great artist Merce Cunningham on behalf of his 90th birthday. Now, after his death, this theme has become a last tribute and to a thank you for everything, Cunningham gave to dance.
Of course it is easy to say that Cunningham was one of the most important living choreographers. That there are few in Europe who can be mentioned in the same breath together with him. And that he has led the Modern over into the Postmodern almost on his own. But such an important artist should not become petrified in hymns. For today Cunningham still is a good subject for discussion: about his hybrid approach to dance, about his disciplined conception of the body, his influence as an aesthetic-ideological catalyst, his rationalism and his radical poetry.
On April 16, 2009 Cunningham celebrated his last birthday. In the run-up to the many tributes to be expected, corpus reflected on his work. How can it be read today, in which contexts was it embedded, and what were its effects?
Mark Franko allowed us to publish his text about Cunningham, Duchamp and Nam June Paik on the Internet for the first time, and the company's archivist David Vaughan reports about his long-time work.
Yvonne Rainer provides us with her text “Epilogue” from 1973, and Kate Mattingly talks with Mathilde Monnier about Cunningham's influence on dance in France.
In addition, corpus publishes a list of exciting links prepared by Martina Ruhsam as well as a bibliography structured by Sabine Malicha. (corpusEditors)
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