Democracy's Body: Judson Dance Theatre, 1962–1964 [Paperback]

Sally Banes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1993

Democracy's Body offers a lively, detailed account of the beginnings of the Judson Dance Theater--a popular center of dance experimentation in New York's Greenwich Village--and its place in the larger history of the avant-garde art scene of the 1960s. JDT started when Robert Dunn, a student of John Cage, offered a dance composition class in Merce Cunningham's studio. The performers--many of whom included some of the most prominent figures in the arts in the early sisties--found a welcome performance home in the Judson Memorial Church in the Village. Sally Banes's account draws on interviews, letters, diaries, films, and reconstructions of dances to paint a portrait of the rich culture of Judson, which was the seedbed for postmodern dance and the first avant-garde movement in dance theater since the modern dance of the 1930s and 1940s. Originally published in 1983, this edition brings back into print a highly regarded work of dance history.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Anyone interested in choreography or methods of teaching composition must have this book on the shelf. . . Th[is] book is crucial in understanding our history and in appreciating the shape of dance today. Dancers and choreographers need to read it to learn about their heritage, historians to discover clarity about a rambunctious and exciting period of dance history that has been fuzzy with myth and misunderstanding. . . It must be read."—Sally Sommer, Dance Research Journal (from a review of the 1983 edition)

"Ms. Banes is widely respected as the leading scholar/historian writing about this seminal and neglected period of contemporary dance history. . . Her books are indispensable for any serious dance historian or student of this era. . . Democracy's Body is the type of inaugural survey of a period of art that will undoubtedly inspire other books."—Janice Ross, Stanford University

"Sally Banes is one of the most influential dance historians in America right now. The Judson Era, which Democracy's Body examines in meticulous detail, is a key moment in American dancing."—Mindy Aloff, Dance Critic, The New Yorker

From the Publisher

This product is not a traditionally bound book. Many ProQuest UMI products are black-and-white reproductions of original publications produced through the Books On Demand ® program. Alternately, this product may be a photocopy of a dissertation or it may be a collection reproduced on microfiche or microfilm if it is intended for library purchase. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Duke University Press Books (July 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822313995
• ISBN-13: 978-0822313991
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #957,862 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Judson Dance Theater: Everything You Need To Know, October 17, 2000

By 

Sarah Hauss (Boulder, CO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Democracy's Body: Judson Dance Theatre, 1962–1964 (Paperback)

This book is an historical account of the Judson Dance Theater. Through interviews of the members of Judson, reviews, and research, Banes creates an incredibly thorough documentation of these two years. Every teacher, mentor, advisor, critic, dancer, choreographer, visual artist, musician, critic, stage manager, and lighting designer connected either directly or peripherally with the Judson Group is mentioned in this book. Vivid descriptions of the dances in each concert have been pieced together through Bane's extensive research. The title refers to the Judson commitment to the collective process and the reduction of hierarchical relationships between dancers and choreographers, traditional technique and pedestrian movement, and content and form. Numerous artists from different mediums participated in the over 200 dances presented by Judson Theater in the 2 years that the group was active. Some notable members include: Trisha Brown, Yvonne Rainer, Steve Paxton, Fred Herko, Elaine Summers, Robert Morris, Deborah and Alan Hay, David Gordon, Judith and Robert Dunn, Lucinda Childs, and Robert Rauschenberg.

Bane's thoroughness makes the book a bit dense in places. I sometimes longed for visual aides when I read the detailed descriptions of the dances in each concert. Yet, also due to this thoroughness, I felt that I really got to know some of the personalities involved in the group, such as; Steve Paxton and Yvonne Rainer. I particularly enjoyed learning about the development and flux in momentum of this revolutionary moment in dance.

It was a wonderful surprise to be introduced to the writings of critic Jill Johnston through this book. I reccomend "Marmalade Me" (a collection of Jill's writings from 1960-69) as a compliment to this book.