Honoring Merce Cunningham (April 16, 1919 - July 26, 2009)

[Dance New Amsterdam]

DNA mourns the loss of a true dance revolutionary, Merce Cunningham. An iconic American artist, Cunningham’s approach to choreography forever changed the world of dance. His thought-provoking works and chance experiments have influenced and will continue to inspire artists for decades. He pioneered the recognition of dance as an independent form, separate from its accompaniments of music, set and other previously considered indivisible collaborative elements. Cunningham skillfully honored dance and the other disciplines that encompass the art of performance through his creative partnerships with composer John Cage and visual artist Robert Rauschenberg; each an influential figure in their discipline. Regarded as a man before his time, Merce Cunningham will be greatly missed. Today at DNA we will enjoy dance simply for what it is, in true Cunningham spirit.

[Martha Chapman]

Bravo Merce...
Pioneer, collaborator, jokester, so many influences and influenced so many. RIP - may his Spirit dance with joy into the next plane.
Martha Chapman