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Document(s): As Seen Through the Windshield (And Other Perspectives on Making Dance)

Document(s): As Seen Through the Windshield (And Other Perspectives on Making Dance)

“As Seen Through the Windshield (And Other Perspectives on Making Dance)” is from the Document(s) series, a library of commentary on people and issues in the dance field. This repository of essays includes interviews by writers and thinkers on dance, as well as “dance discursions,” which offer opportunities for reflection on the field of dance commissioned by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.

In March 2005, The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage invited choreographer and dance artist Wendy Rogers to lead a presentation and town hall discussion for dance makers and cultural practitioners. For related content, see “Capturing the tone, celebrating the work: A conversation with Wendy Rogers and Sara Rudner.”

From Rogers’ presentation:

“…One particular project I want to remember and start this conversation with is Sara’s five-hour dance. In the spring of 1975 Sara [Rudner], Risa Jaroslow, Wendy Perron, and I trained all season long, day after day, building up our stamina, building material, so that we could dance for five hours straight. Her agenda was not to choreograph; she just wanted people to come in directly on the dancing, for us to share with the viewers something that we as dancers were experiencing and loving. She didn’t want to mediate—she didn’t want to make a beginning and an ending. She wanted what we were doing to be ‘dancing on view’ (which is what she named the piece).”

Download the article (PDF) >