Performing Arts

My duties as the Performing Arts Intern have varied everywhere from running to Costco to printing programs to buying Britney Spears Believe perfume for a performance (gold star to the first to guess which show). I never know what my day is going to be like which is precisely why I love working in the arts. Currently I am doing some research down in the amazing Walker Library and Archives. Last week while paging through a Walker calendar from February 1963 I came across what sounds like quite a performance.

Merce Cunningham and his Dance Company accompanied by John Cage as the composer-pianist and David Tudor, referred to in the calendar as America’s “far out” pianist. Not only did this all sound impressive and was wonderful to come across (especially with the upcoming Merce on the Rocks this Fall) but a little note was slipped inside stating Robert Rauschenberg served as set designer and costumer for this performance! First I thought to myself “What interesting timing?!” and then thought “Wish I would have been around to see that!”

How cool to have such a collaborative performance with so many legendary artists so early on in Walker history?! The interdisciplinary nature of that show is so inspiring. It got me thinking about what my dream collaborative/interdisciplinary performance would be….so many artists I love! I must ponder this and will get back on that one. What would your dream collaboration be?

Hope you enjoy this tidbit as much as I did. If you ever need to do some research related to modern art or if you just want to peruse some great local history the Walker Library is a superb place to start.