The long-awaited memoir from one of the most celebrated modern dancers of the past fifty years: the story of her own remarkable career, of the form...
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Jan 28, 2009
Sydney.gilbert
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i read this book as i moved to new york, granted carolyn moved some 50 yrs before me, and it was fascinating to follow along as she and i became acquainted with the city. a great personal look into the relationships and exchanges between cunningham and cage as well as other artists like rauschenburg. only 4 stars because it can get a little tedious, but really a great auto/biography of such legends.
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Sep 11, 2011
Anthony
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After seeing the legacy tour program in Annandale on Hudson yesterday evening I again felt so inspired (it is the forth time I see the company) by Merce Cunningham's work - and by John Cage's music - that I though I wanted more. They offered this book at the event. After a quick look I couldn't resist. This is going to be my first book purchase in almost two years... I mean a real one that you can actually worry about bending the corners of the nice cover. Since I have my Kindle I have forgotten
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Mar 06, 2010
Mary Lisa
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A brilliant memoir on all counts: A historically important chronicle of the genesis of the work of Merce Cunningham at a seminal time in his life and in the lives of the artists with whom he collaborated. A close-up look at the relationship of Cunningham, Cage, and Rauschenberg. A history of the first twenty years of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company. A personal history of a great dancer. And last - but in my book definitely not least - a memoir that rings with accuracy, because the author kept
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Jan 02, 2012
Eugene
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"When asked if Suite by Chance was 'an abstract dance,' Merce is quoted as saying that he did not see how humans could be abstract" p. 53.
"Whatever John believed, I'm convinced that there are 'stories' and 'psychological problems' hidden away in a secret subtext in many of Merce's dances. Merce relishes conundrums and riddles, and his skills in deception are Promethean. He's like a fox, agile and sly, unexcelled at putting people off his scent" p.165-6.
"Whatever John believed, I'm convinced that there are 'stories' and 'psychological problems' hidden away in a secret subtext in many of Merce's dances. Merce relishes conundrums and riddles, and his skills in deception are Promethean. He's like a fox, agile and sly, unexcelled at putting people off his scent" p.165-6.
Aug 18, 2007
Mary
rated it:
I found this book deeply moving and inspiring. It's a strange thing to say that someone else's memoir could change my life, but Brown's account of her career in the avant garde dance scene in the 50s and 60s seems so far removed from the jaded irony that categorizes most "radical" artists today, reading it is like discovering art and dance and experimentation all over again.
I rarely read autobiographies, so I have little to compare this to. Some may find it long winded-- More...
I rarely read autobiographies, so I have little to compare this to. Some may find it long winded-- More...
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Jan 11, 2008
Lauren
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This is a long and interesting book about dancing with the Cunningham company from its inception at Black Mountain College to the early 1970s. Brown is a good writer and uses old journals and correspondence, plus interviews and research to document the burgeoning world of avant-garde music and dance. I learned alot about Cunninghams's style and how the dances were contructed. She creates some great portraits of her fellow performers, John Cage and Robert Rauschenberg who was the company's produc
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Nov 09, 2009
Douglas
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My review of this book is here:
http://greeninteger.blogspot.com/2009/07...
http://greeninteger.blogspot.com/2009/07...
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Feb 09, 2010
Allmanic
rated it:
Very detailed voyage through the seismic shifts in dance, art and music during the kate 40's, fifties and sixties. Intimate and yet discreet, a real treasure for dancers and anyone who cares about what it takes to create something completely original.
Oct 07, 2009
I really loved this book. She is a meticulous observer of history, people, and herself and it gave me wonderful insights into Merce's choreographic process and her experience of a dancing life. I was constantly comparing myself to her in terms of her devotion and commitment and frequently coming up short. I think that this is a wonderful book even if one is not a dancer or choreographer. I was moved and inspired.
Dec 13, 2007
Ellen
rated it:
took me a hell of a long time to get through but so rewarding! so classy, so beautiful. i wept for a long time at the end. read choice sentences or anecdotes out loud to my boyfriend along the way because they were just too good not to share. highly recommended.
Jul 21, 2010
A most-detailed memoir. Day-to-day recording of what was eaten, who said what and sometimes why.
Admittedly, I dragged through a lot of the details. They're all very welcome-- it's just a large dose all at once.
Admittedly, I dragged through a lot of the details. They're all very welcome-- it's just a large dose all at once.
Jul 18, 2007
Judith
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A memoir of years as a dancer with the Cunningham company, this book is charming and informative, though perhaps somewhat slavish in relation to Cage's sainthood. But I haven't got very far yet.
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