Choreography / 1958

Summerspace

This piece is indicative of Cunningham’s unique collaborative method, in which Feldman composed the score, Rauschenberg designed the décor, and Cunningham choreographed independently from each other. Together, the movement, music and décor give the effect of a balmy, summer day. Dressed in painted leotards, the dancers move about the stage in sudden bursts of speed and suspensions, zigzagging every which way, like flying creatures. The delicate music, at times sounds like bubbles of water rising to the surface, and at others, with a muffled rumble in the bass, like distant thunder.

Details

Premiere Date

Aug 17, 1958

Premiere Venue

American Dance Festival, Connecticut College

Premiere Location

New London, CT

Music

Morton Feldman, Ixion

Set

Robert Rauschenberg

Costumes

Robert Rauschenberg

Lighting

Robert Rauschenberg

Duration

20 minutes

Original Cast

Carolyn Brown

Remy Charlip

Merce Cunningham

Viola Farber

Cynthia Stone

Marilyn Wood

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