There’s much to say
about legendary modern dancer/choreographer Merce Cunningham, but above
all, he’s a well-rounded, thoroughly modern guy. The Carl Solway Gallery is hosting A Tribute to Merce Cunningham in His 90th Year,
a smallish but worthy assembly of Cunningham’s drawings, photos of the
artist and in-depth documentaries shown on flat screens.
When
one thinks of Cunningham, one doesn’t immediately regard him as a
“visual artist,” despite dance itself being a visual form.
A renegade
from early on, he’s best known for breaking away from traditional
expectations to develop more flexible ideas about dance and for
incorporating the use of chance.
This
exhibit underscores how Cunningham’s life’s work has succeeded in its
mission and come full-circle. Interestingly, the audiences at his early
performances were comprised of more painters and sculptors than
musicians and dancers.
The exhibit is on view through Aug. 15.
Read Julie Mullins' feature story on the exhibition here.
