The end of an era – Merce Cunningham
The Merce Cunningham Dance Company is in Paris, performing for the last time in The City of Light, their home away from home. The French have always embraced Merce’s work more so than anywhere else in the world. The Company is in its last weeks of their Legacy Tour that began in February 2010 after the passing of Merce in July 2009. After Paris, the Company performs its last 6 performances back home in New York City at the Park Avenue Armory, the last being on New Year’s eve. The company will disband after this final performance and the dancers will go their separate ways. Merce’s works will live on through the Cunningham Dance Foundation.
Anna Finke, wardrobe supervisor and costume designer for the Company’s last performance in New York, has a great preview write up on Vogue.com . The famous unitard makes its last turn at the Armory. These unitards are printed with a series of photographs taken by Anna from the top floor of the Westbeth studio, home to the Company for about four decades. This unitard has had many incarnations, but these designed by Anna will be the last impressions……….ever.
photo courtesy of Thomas Prior and Vogue.com
