Customer Reviews

Cage Cunningham - A Film by Elliot Caplan / John Cage, Merce Cunningham, Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This review comes a little late but...better late than never. It is a marvellous film, VERY John Cage and Merce Cunningham whose collaboration led to some inspirational work among the American avant garde. It covers most of their collaborative lives and introduces some superb archival footage. We see John Cage of his "Lectures on Indeterminacy in Modern Music" days and many extracts from Merce Cunningham's productions going way back.

The film suffers a little from being on VHS but picture quality and sound are good. I would sooner have this film like it is than not at all.

I should say that the film may not appeal to those averse to the avant garde and the compositional techniques of these masters, but for the fans of this genre, it's a must.

I saw this film many years ago before I really knew anything about Cunningham. I truthfully still don't follow modern dance, but for a music experimenter like myself. It is amazing to get to really peek behind the scenes into the world of John Cage. Getting to hear his speak on many subjects. And then getting to hear about the artists who helped design some of their stage sets. Remember, this is a documentary of a lot of things AND a lot of people. David Tudor makes an appearance, as does Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg and a few more.

What fantastic people. So creative and so willing to share their thoughts and time with us. Definitely willing to push into the unknown and show us new and exciting dance and music.

Merce recently died at 92: may he rest in peace. This program was a bit choppy. Yes, they are showing material from decades of art. However, a good director could have come up with something smoother. This work implies that Cage and Cunningham were just artistic partners. It suggests they were platonic like Ben and Jerry. It says nothing about their rainbow flag membership. They were lovers, not just good co-workers. I just saw "Carmen & Geoffrey," which granted was made decades later, but that work stated the couple was married, not just artists who got along well. Why couldn't this documentary go there? Majority people like Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee get acknowledged as a couple, why can't this happen for pink triangle pairs?!