Loie Fuller: Goddess of Light [Hardcover]

Richard Nelson Current (Author), Marcia Ewing Current (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1997

Once the most famous dancer in the world, Loie Fuller (1862-1928) paved the way for pioneers of modern dance such as Isadora Duncan. Her tremendous contributions to the development of dance, largely unacknowledged after her death, are restored to us in this definitive biography.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Symbolist poets rhapsodized over her, artists jostled to paint her, sculptors strove to capture her evanescent image in art nouveau bronze and glass. But it wasn't long after dancer Loie Fuller's golden age in 1890s Paris that dance fans relegated her to novelty status. Now, two biographers, Richard Nelson Current and Marcia Ewing Current, are determined to rehabilitate her memory and restore her place as one of the pioneers of modern dance. The American-born Fuller was untrained in classical dance, but her spirit moved her to whirl amid yards of floating cloth, illuminated in brilliant colors by the newly discovered electric light. "La Loïe's" talents as a businesswoman, self promoter, artistic rebel, and star of her own personal tragedy make her a complex and fascinating character. Her rediscovery and renewed appreciation makes this book a real event in dance biography.

From Library Journal

The life of Loie Fuller, "magician of light," has become legend, more lore than fact. In this first English-language biography of the American-born theatrical performer extraordinaire, Richard Current, a prolific author on diverse subjects, and his wife, a collector of Loie Fuller art, combed primary materials to tell the true story of her remarkable career. She created a sensation in France in 1892 when she introduced her serpentine dances?depictions of moods and emotions created by her skillful manipulation of voluminous folds of silk through an interplay of colored lights. With no formal dance training, Fuller was a determined and enthusiastic innovator. She also inspired visual artists, counted among her friends the rich and famous, and helped to cofound two museums. Curiously, since her death in 1928, Fuller's contributions have been eclipsed by those of her rival, Isadora Duncan. Based upon this research, scholars can now more accurately assess Fuller's legacy. Recommended for public and academic libraries, as well as specialized dance collections.?Joan Stahl, National Museum of American Art, Washington, D.C.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Northeastern; First Edition edition (May 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555533094
• ISBN-13: 978-1555533090
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #271,437 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #12 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature > Dancers

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loie Swirls Again!, February 3, 2003

By 

Carol A Hottle (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Loie Fuller: Goddess of Light (Hardcover)

Goddess of Light was a wonderful story of the life of Loie Fuller, an oft-overlooked but important innovator of lighting and other theatrical effects with great influence in the world of dance. Loie was not only a movement artist and an inventor but a businesswoman, who promoted other artists (i.e. Rodin) in addition to herself.

Loie was successful because she was experimental, resourceful, and persistent. As this book describes in detail events in all areas of her life, we can come to appreciate this woman who capitalized on her ideas and opportunities, to know her personal pathos as well as her enthusiasm for her art. As a woman, I can appreciate the obstacles she worked through and the endurance it required. Thank you, Loie! Buy this book!