Michael Clark exhibition on show at the V&A
The celebration of the Scottish dancer and choreographer will open tomorrow
An exhibition celebrating the works of Scottish dancer and choreographer Michael Clark will open this Saturday (5th March) at the V&A.
Michael Clark: Cosmic Dancer will run until the 4th September.
Leonie Bell, Director of V&A Dundee, said: “Michael Clark is a huge talent who brings new ideas, tradition, energy and amazing skill to dance. So much of his work feels as alive, thoughtful and relevant as it did in the years it was created.
“Michael Clark remains hugely relevant today, challenging convention and reflecting the energy of the world around him, with ideas around gender and sexuality explored in breathtakingly beautiful performances.
"For me, Michael Clark is the David Bowie of dance, an inventor who with grace and energy has found new ways for us all to enjoy and be inspired by dance.”
The exhibition delves into the process of Michael Clark’s collaborations with artists, designers, musicians and performers, giving an extraordinary insight into one of Scotland’s most remarkable creative minds.
Sophie McKinlay, Director of Programme at V&A Dundee, said: “Throughout his remarkable career Michael Clark has brought joy to audiences around the world, a joy which I know visitors to V&A Dundee will experience as they immerse themselves in this bold, vibrant, exciting exhibition that has been lovingly curated by Florence Ostende of Barbican.
“Michael Clark’s ability to defy genres, to be playful and incredibly thoughtful at the same time, and to work with so many different creative disciplines mark him as truly unique.”
Florence Ostende, Curator at Barbican, said: “I am delighted this exhibition will bring Michael Clark’s visionary creativity back to his home country of Scotland.
“Clark is fascinating as a pioneer who brought together different disciplines to completely change contemporary dance and the British cultural landscape, from embracing and celebrating queer culture in the 1980s through to redefining gender representation and stereotypes within the heteronormative tradition of ballet history.
"This exhibition, one of the largest surveys ever dedicated to a living choreographer, presents a comprehensive story of Clark’s career.”
Kate Coyne, former Associate Director of Michael Clark Company, said: “Dancing with Michael for over 15 years was a wonderful, life-changing experience. No one else has ever brought together such virtuosic technical ability and knowledge of classical dance with popular culture.
“At V&A Dundee we will also be working with Alzheimer Scotland to develop movement workshops for people living with and caring for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia, as dance can and should be a joyful experience for everyone.
“I am thrilled to see Michael’s work, and the work of his many incredible collaborators, on show at V&A Dundee.”