Merce Cunningham Dance Company

Definition

The Merce Cunningham Dance Company was a pioneering American dance company founded by choreographer Merce Cunningham in 1953, known for its innovative approach to choreography and collaboration with experimental musicians and artists. The company emphasized the independence of dance from music, allowing each to exist in its own space, which is a hallmark of the avant-garde movement during the mid-20th century.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Merce Cunningham Dance Company was active until 2011, making it one of the longest-running modern dance companies in history.
2. Cunningham's collaboration with composer John Cage was groundbreaking, as they explored the relationship between sound and movement without needing them to be synchronized.
3. Cunningham often used chance operations in his choreography, which encouraged dancers to make unpredictable choices during performances.
4. The company performed in various unconventional spaces, such as galleries and outdoor venues, challenging traditional ideas about where dance should take place.
5. Cunningham's work influenced generations of dancers and choreographers, pushing the boundaries of modern dance and encouraging an exploration of movement in new contexts.

Review Questions

• How did Merce Cunningham's approach to choreography redefine the relationship between dance and music?
  • Cunningham's approach redefined the relationship between dance and music by allowing them to exist independently from one another. This meant that movements could be created without being directly linked to musical accompaniment, giving both elements their own space. This innovation led to a new kind of performance where the audience could experience each art form separately but simultaneously, creating a richer overall experience.
• Discuss the impact of chance operations on the creative process within the Merce Cunningham Dance Company.
  • Chance operations had a profound impact on the creative process within the Merce Cunningham Dance Company by introducing randomness into choreography. This method allowed dancers to make spontaneous choices during performances, leading to unique interpretations each time a piece was executed. It fostered an environment of exploration and discovery, as both dancers and audiences engaged with unpredictable outcomes that challenged traditional notions of control in performance.
• Evaluate how Merce Cunningham's work with his dance company has influenced contemporary dance practices today.
  • Merce Cunningham's work has significantly influenced contemporary dance practices by encouraging a break from conventional choreography and fostering an ethos of experimentation. His emphasis on collaboration with diverse artists, including musicians and visual artists, has inspired current choreographers to seek interdisciplinary connections. Furthermore, the use of chance operations continues to resonate in contemporary works that value unpredictability and innovation, ultimately shaping the evolution of modern dance into a more inclusive and exploratory art form.

Related terms

Chance Operations: A method developed by John Cage and adopted by Cunningham, where elements of the performance are determined by random processes, leading to unexpected and novel outcomes.

Postmodern Dance: A movement that emerged in the late 20th century, characterized by a departure from traditional forms and an embrace of new techniques, ideas, and collaboration across disciplines.

Collaborative Art: An artistic approach where multiple artists or disciplines work together to create a new piece, often breaking down barriers between genres and media.