Wow. I knew that Merce Cunningham was into modern dance and experimental stuff, but I hadn't realized that he and Cage were both influenced by Zen and that they both used the I-Ching in their respective compositions. I had used indeterminacy when choreographing my dance, but nothing as complex as Cunningham (using the I-Ching for the movements of specific body parts? Talk about a lot of work!). It does seem to make sense, though, considering his choreography was for modern dance. The chorographer is always aiming for he movement to be unpredictable, and if it's unpredictable even for the choreographer himself, well, that's pretty good :) I was also interested to hear that he was schooled in ballet, but not surprized. It seems that with many things -especially dance- it's best to learn and try out everything, and then decide what you want to do with it. Anyway, Cunningham appeared to have lived a meaningful and productive life, and to have touched the lives of many others who knew him and of those who have yet to be inspired by his work.
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Wow. I knew that Merce Cunningham was into modern dance and experimental stuff, but I hadn't realized that he and Cage were both influenced by Zen and that they both used the I-Ching in their respective compositions. I had used indeterminacy when choreographing my dance, but nothing as complex as Cunningham (using the I-Ching for the movements of specific body parts? Talk about a lot of work!). It does seem to make sense, though, considering his choreography was for modern dance. The chorographer is always aiming for he movement to be unpredictable, and if it's unpredictable even for the choreographer himself, well, that's pretty good :) I was also interested to hear that he was schooled in ballet, but not surprized. It seems that with many things -especially dance- it's best to learn and try out everything, and then decide what you want to do with it.
Anyway, Cunningham appeared to have lived a meaningful and productive life, and to have touched the lives of many others who knew him and of those who have yet to be inspired by his work.
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