Cunningham Technique ® - Elementary Level (1984)

Film by: Merce Cunningham and Elliot Caplan (1984)
34'; color.
This videotape is an introduction to a number of the elements that comprise the basis of Cunningham Technique ©. Exercises and movement combinations are demonstrated by dancers in rehearsal and actual classes. Merce Cunningham's narration provides an explanation of each exercise and insight into his movement style.
Dancers: Alison Cutri, Jill Diamond, Nancy Langsner, Kate Troughton Instructors: Susan Alexander, Ruth Barnes, Merce Cunningham, June FInch, Susana Hayman-Chaffey, Chris Komar.
MERCE CUNNINGHAM (1919-2009) was a leader of the American avant-garde throughout his seventy year career and is considered one of the most important choreographers of his time. Through much of his life, he was also one of the greatest American dancers. With an artistic career distinguished by constant innovation, Cunningham expanded the frontiers not only of dance, but also of contemporary visual and performing arts.
Many opportunities to learn more about Merce Cunningham and his choreographic work are available starting right here with the Merce Cunningham Trust UA-cam Channel.
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• Cunningham Technique ®...
© Merce Cunningham Trust, all rights reserved.

[@danielaromano6174]

In 1984 I used to train with a similar technique, but with more contract-release exercises ...
Interesting video for everyone who enjoys modern ballet

[@af5354]

The unintentional asmr here is just incredible

[@music-O.]

exactly! hhahah

[@radiantonion8615]

thanks so much for posting this!. It's awesome to have this as a record of Merce's work!

[@susannesusani9082]

Tolle und effiziente Übungen

[@karlafelix7073]

Thank you for posting his techniques. It helps with my body pain.

[@albadeffa5398]

Bella tecnica.Bravi

[@conniechan3280]

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ thanks to cleveland institute of music - modern dance teacher - Kathy 1975 , 1976 ..with grateful heart -- me in modern dance I , then 11 then improvization ....

[@TheNesbittExperience]

I love Cunningham! 💜💐

[@CharlieSaccodance]

Omg those diagonal tendus are such a pain! My modern class and college did them all the time

[@desdeel1982]

so fun.

[@adrianshaw1505]

mèrcy rewrote my lìfe
q h after

[@beatrizinesgomez4292]

Muchas gracias ¡¡¡ excelente explicación!

[@izabelcosta3053]

Muito bom! obrigada por compartilhar

[@fuentedelunaclara]

MUY INTERESANTE ESTA TÉCNICA!!
...

[@MsKidgie]

Si - que bueno, tambien!

[@cristianesantos5707]

Gostei. Obrigada.

[@SaltySugarPlum]

so... is there a reason that no one uses words like "tendu, degage, pas de cheval, rond de jambe" etc? that's basically what i'm seeing, but no one says any NAMES of any steps. is there any codified vocabulary for modern / contemporary steps?

[@KierraPizarroSoprano]

Salty Sugar Plum yes. we do use a lot of ballet terms in modern but we sometimes don’t use names for a move because it’s modern so the move is executed differently.

[@robrivax]

Yes there is a reason: from what I know from being at the Merce Cunningham Studio for 6 years myself, is that Merce intentionally did not use French derived names for steps, choosing to use English to describe the steps instead. American Modern dance does not look like ballet at all, and some steps, though similar yes, are taught with a different artistic and technical aesthetic in mind.

[@Skyelement84K]

​@robrivax but clearky he followed protocal. Starting with... and progressing to and ending with. Easy to follow his technique if you have classical training but not stuck in the modality. Love it.

[@ContemporaryDanceMusic]

We are releasing music written for contemporary technique class - very suitable for Cunningham/Graham.
So far there are 175 instrumental tracks arranged by count and tempo. See our channel for more info.

[@conniechan3280]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@SavicksterTheTrixter]

This was the year 1984?

[@marisolrivera9855]

Me pueden decir que técnica están usando??

[@MerceCunninghamTrust]

Cunningham Technique. See www.mercecunningham.org.

[@marianneyecyec1643]

Good for 40 up to 60 years woman