Merce Cunningham’s Events: Key Concepts

From 1964 until his death in 2009, Merce Cunningham produced over 800 “Events.” Each Event comprised a different sequence of excerpts from his repertory, parts of works in progress, and new material. Each lasted around 90 minutes without an intermission, and no two performances were the same. Events were performed in museums and galleries but also in gymnasia, theatres, public squares, and on TV.

A dance history written from the perspective of art history, this book provides a new approach to understanding this innovative format. Claire Bishop argues that the Events place pressure on, or even dismantle, conventional readings of Cunningham’s work – especially the now overfamiliar concepts of chance, collage, and collaboration. They anticipate a contemporary culture of curating and remixing, while providing an important precursor to the rise of dance and performance in museums. [publishers’ note]