Movement Research in Residence
Rethinking the Imprint of Judson Dance Theater Fifty Years Later
September–December 2012
Elaine Summers, Ouverture reconstruction, 2012. Original performance: Judson Memorial Church, 1962. Photo: Sarah Holcman
Part of the RE:NEW RE:PLAY residency series at the New Museum
Copresented with Movement Research
The emergence of Judson Dance Theater in New York City in the 1960s is often regarded as the incident inciting the development of what has become known as “postmodern dance,” which coincided with a moment when the boundaries between dance and other artistic practices were becoming increasingly permeable and fluid. The work produced during this time (and frequently performed at Judson Church) had a profound effect on the way both audiences and artists conceived of the role of performance and the body in contemporary culture. Fifty years later, artists continue to reconcile with the impact of Judson Dance Theater, and questions about the present and future of its influence loom large.
Through a series of discussions, presentations, and town hall meetings, Movement Research reconsiders the legacy, mythology, and permutations of influence that continue to echo from the occasion of Judson Dance Theater (1962–64). A complete list of residency-related programs will be announced in the fall of 2012.
The RE:NEW RE:PLAY residency series is curated by Travis Chamberlain, Public Programs Coordinator at the New Museum. “Movement Research: Rethinking the Imprint of Judson Dance Theater Fifty Years Later” has been organized in collaboration with Barbara Bryan (Movement Research Executive Director) and Levi Gonzalez (Movement Research Programming Advisor).
About Movement Research
Movement Research was founded in 1978 under the name “The School for Movement Research & Construction” and incorporated in 1980. It is now one of the world’s leading laboratories for the investigation of dance- and movement-based forms. Valuing the individual artist, their creative process, and their vital role within society, Movement Research is dedicated to the creation and implementation of free and low-cost programs that nurture and instigate discourse and experimentation. Movement Research strives to reflect the cultural, political, and economic diversity of its moving community, including artists and audiences alike. Many of the founders of Movement Research were participants in Judson Dance Theater and the work that followed. Its direct lineage is evidenced by artists that performed in its first public performance in 1979: Trisha Brown, David Gordon, Valda Setterfield, and Douglas Dunn.