This dance is one of the six solos presented in Merce Cunningham’s first solo concert. In three sections, the dance was concerned with fear. The music for all the solos was by John Cage. Cage and Cunningham began to put into practice the idea that the music and the dance could be independent of one another, though here they came together at certain structural points. The structure was in units of time. Cunningham himself designed the costume, a shirt with the design of an eye on the back, and pants. "Root of an Unfocus" was first performed in April 1944 in the Studio Theater, New York NY. It remained in Cunningham’s repertory until January 1954.