When did Merce Cunningham start choreographing?
1989
Life Forms. Cunningham began choreographing on the computer in 1989 using a program called Life Forms created at Simon Frasier University, British Columbia, Canada. The Life Forms software portrayed outlines of the human figure in a three-dimensional space.
Who is Cunningham biography?
Merce Cunningham, (born April 16, 1919, Centralia, Washington, U.S.—died July 26, 2009, New York, New York), American modern dancer and choreographer who developed new forms of abstract dance movement. Cunningham began to study dance at 12 years of age.
Did John Cage and Merce Cunningham date?
In 1939, Cunningham moved to New York and danced as a soloist in the Martha Graham Dance Company for six years. He presented his first solo concert in New York in April 1944 with composer John Cage, who became his lifelong romantic partner and frequent collaborator until Cage’s death in 1992.
What does Cunningham mean?
Cunningham Name Meaning Irish: surname adopted from Scottish by bearers of Gaelic Ó Cuinneagáin ‘descendant of Cuinneagán’, a personal name from a double diminutive of the Old Irish personal name Conn meaning ‘leader’, ‘chief’.
What is Merce Cunningham’s style?
WHAT IT IS. Cunningham Technique® was developed by Merce Cunningham to train dancers for his company. The technique emphasizes clarity of form, coordination of torso and legwork, rhythmic accuracy, spatial awareness and virtuosity.
Is Cunningham a black name?
The Cunningham Black family name was found in Scotland in 1871. Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Cunningham Black surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
When was Merce Cunningham born and when did he die?
Merce Cunningham was a dancer and choreographer known for his long-time collaboration with avant-garde composer John Cage. Merce Cunningham was born on April 16, 1919 in Centralia, Washington.
Why did Merce Cunningham move to New York?
In spite of the fact that Cunningham’s father was initially hesitant to support his son’s dancing career, Merce moved to New York City the following September to work in Martha Graham’s dance company on Broadway.
How did Merce Cunningham become a famous dancer?
While pursuing his formal dance and theatre training, he also attended the Mills College and learnt from Lester Horton, a famous dancer and choreographer. He was subsequently spotted and invited by Martha Graham—a renowned dancer—to join her company. He accepted the offer and went to New York to work for her.
Why did Merce Cunningham work with John Cage?
Initially, Cage’s music offered to Cunningham a framework in which to work, but after 1950, they both began exploring the notion of chance, which they increasingly incorporated into their work.
