A Celebration of Dance: Revisiting and Innovating through Performance
This month, the "Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels" festival unfolds across New York, presenting a vibrant exploration of both seminal and cutting-edge dance performances. Curated by Serge Laurent, the festival features a diverse program that traces the evolution of dance from historic collaborations, such as Robert Rauschenberg's "Set and Reset," to contemporary pieces that engage with modern phenomena like TikTok dances. The event highlights the interconnectedness of dance history and its continuous reinterpretation, offering audiences a unique opportunity to witness works that span decades and artistic movements. It underscores the importance of preserving and reanimating classic choreographies while embracing new forms and ideas in the ever-evolving world of dance.
A significant highlight of the festival is the return of "Set and Reset," a pivotal 1983 collaboration between artist Robert Rauschenberg, choreographer Trisha Brown, and musician Laurie Anderson. Rauschenberg's vision for this piece, expressed in a 1982 letter, underscored its unique theatrical challenge. Dancers in Rauschenberg-designed costumes, depicting urban landscapes, performed to Anderson's electronic violin score, while Brown's innovative choreography blended improvisation with structured movement. This revival at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) offers a new generation a chance to experience a work that profoundly shaped contemporary dance. Serge Laurent, the festival's director, emphasizes the responsibility of supporting new creations while also grounding them in existing works, recognizing that dance, as an embodied medium, benefits immensely from revisiting its past.
Beyond "Set and Reset," the festival journey includes a presentation of Lucinda Childs' "Early Works" at the Guggenheim Museum, showcasing pieces like "Pastime" (1963) and "Calico Mingling" (1973). Childs, a key figure in the Judson Dance Theater, appreciates the Guggenheim's unconventional space for these works, noting how composer John Cage's influence encouraged the use of unexpected venues and everyday movements. In stark contrast, (La)Horde's 2023 work, "Age of Content," incorporates contemporary references such as viral TikTok trends, stripper aesthetics, and self-driving cars. The collective's artists, Marine Brutti, Jonathan Debrouwer, and Arthur Harel, use the stage to collectively question modern realities, drawing connections between seemingly "lowbrow" movements and high art. This diverse programming creates a "fantasy family" of artistic influences, spanning generations and styles.
The festival also delves into various group dynamics and cultural expressions. The Lyon Opera Ballet presents Merce Cunningham's "Biped" (1999) alongside Christos Papadopoulos's "Mycelium" (2023), a trance-inducing work of collective movement. Jan Martens' "The Dog Days Are Over 2.0" challenges performers with synchronized jumping, while Robyn Orlin's "We Wear Our Wheels With Pride..." (2022) celebrates Zulu rickshaw drivers through vibrant choreography. Alessandro Sciarroni's "Save the Last Dance for Me" highlights the endangered Italian folk dance Polka Chinata, performed traditionally by two men. Individually, Soa Ratsifandrihana's solo piece "Gr oo ve" (2021) investigates her movement identity, drawing from her childhood in the South of France, Malagasy diaspora dances, and New York's jazz scene, reflecting a rich tapestry of personal and cultural influences. The festival culminates with the newly revived Merce Cunningham's "Travelogue" (1977), performed by the Trisha Brown Dance Company alongside "Set and Reset." This whimsical piece, featuring John Cage's eclectic score and Rauschenberg's dynamic scenography, embodies a spirit of joyful experimentation. The painstaking efforts to recreate costumes and movements for these historical works highlight the dedication to preserving dance legacies, even as new interpretations are welcomed. These artistic encounters, often rooted in simple connections like phone calls between artists, remind us of the enduring power of collaboration and shared creative spirit in an increasingly digital age.
The festival serves as a compelling platform to engage with the enduring power and transformative potential of dance. It thoughtfully weaves together historical milestones with contemporary expressions, illustrating how dance continuously redefines itself while honoring its rich heritage. Through a curated selection of performances, the event offers a profound insight into the evolution of movement, sound, and visual artistry, showcasing the diverse ways artists explore human experience and imagination.