August Pace:1989-2019 will be available for viewing on OVID beginning October 10 as part of its Dance Collection!

A Career that Transcended Dance and Convention

Explore the Dances

A performance of Ocean at the Rainbow Quarry in Minnesota. Photo by Cameron Wittig courtesy of Walker Art Center 2008

Merce Cunningham's Work

Cunningham created 180 dances, prolific drawings, and trenchant writings


 

Hallmarks of his Work

David Tudor, Gordon Mumma, John Cage, Merce Cunningham Dance Company. Photo by Herve Gloaguen 1966

Collaboration

Transforming the collaborative process, each artistic element was created independently and brought together for the premiere performance.
Merce Cunningham's notes for BIPED.

Chance

Using chance procedures in planning his dances opened his mind to new possibilities for movement and other choreographic elements.
Merce Cunningham Dance Company in TV Rerun. Photo by Jack Mitchell 1972

Technology

Embracing and exploring technology as a creative tool was a lifelong passion.
Merce Cunningham Dance Company in Ocean. Photo by Marc Ginot 1994

Perspective

Moving beyond the conventions of the proscenium, Cunningham gave equal importance to any position on the stage.

 

Choreography

Cunningham forever changed the landscape of dance, music and contemporary art.
See Choreography
Cunningham Technique Class. Photo by Janelle Jones 2016

The Cunningham Technique®

Cunningham created a training process to develop strength and flexibility in both the body and the mind.
Learn More

Cunningham used media in many forms creatively and to capture his work throughout his career.

Explore Media
A sample of Merce Cunningham's drawings.

Drawings

Cunningham drew constantly, nature being his primary source of inspiration.

Technique is the disciplining of one's energies through physical action in order to free that energy at any desired instant in its highest possible physical and spiritual form.

Merce Cunningham,
The Function of Technique for Dance

A Prolific Writer

Cunningham wrote numerous pieces about dance, technique and his own choreographic process.
Explore Writings

Cunningham's Legacy

His work continues to influence new generations
of dancers and audience.


Preserving Cunningham's Vision For The Future

Merce Cunningham in Totem Ancestor. Photo by Barbara Morgan 1942

Documentation

Cunningham ensured that there was extensive video and written documentation of his works.
Merce Cunningham Dance Company in Pictures. Photo by Tony Dougherty 2003

Preservation

The Dance Capsules as well as partnerships with major institutions allow for the preservation of Cunningham's complete body of work.
Benny Olk in the Crises workshop showing. Photo by Ian Douglas 2014

Continuation

The creation of the Merce Cunningham Trust and its programs secures the continuation of Cunningham's legacy.

Download the Legacy Plan

Digitizing A Life's Work

Eighty-six dances have been selected for digital preservation in the Dance Capsules. Each Capsule provides an array of assets essential to the study and reconstruction of Cunningham's choreographic work.

Summerspace Explore Dance Capsules

Ocean Explore Dance Capsules

Beach Birds for Camera Explore Dance Capsules

Travelogue Explore Dance Capsules

Cedric Andrieux and Lisa Boudreau in Interscape. Photo by Tony Dougherty 2005.

Archival Records

We work closely with the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts and the Walker Art Center to archive a vast collection of materials from Cunningham's seven decade career.
Learn about the Archives
Vanessa Knouse and Benny Olk in Suite for Two. Photo by Yi-Chun Wu 2015

Continuing the Legacy

We work to continue the legacy by offering classes to the public, conducting repertory workshops, and actively licensing his choreographic works.
Learn More about our Activities