Issue #14

Spring 1997

The Legacy of Robert Ellis Dunn

Cover of Issue #14

This issue, guest edited by Wendy Perron, honors the legacy of Robert Ellis Dunn. As Perron writes in her introduction: "it is fitting that Movement Research honors Dunn's legacy, since it is a direct artistic descendant of the initial wave of postmodern dance (the term was first used by Yvonne Rainer and then by critic/historian Sally Banes). The founding of Movement Research in the late 70s was a response to the diversity of activity spawned by the Judson period, and Dunn's later emphasis on process and improvisation have become cornerstones of Movement Research. In some way, the free Monday nights at Judson Memorial Church, which had stopped presenting dance sometime in the 70s, bring everything full circle."

Editorial team

Wendy Perron Anya Pryor Peter Larose

Ad Layout

Julie Atlas Muz

Articles

A Magician in the Classroom

Bob was polite and gentlemanly but sometimes he was outrageous, brilliant yet self-doubting, witty, funny and terribly serious. His deep intelligence masked his fragility and he was often misunderstood. He...

In Memoriam

Bob often said with pride, and a chuckle, that he never knew where he was going when he taught. But in looking over notes and listening to our recorded conversations...

Dunn’s Passing Thoughts

In preparing a special issue of Performing Arts Journal last year, Ixirry Quails and I asked a number of noted critics, artists and educators in different fields to comment on...

Postmodern Prophet

He was a legend of course, for extraordinary reasons, easily approachable and immediately engaging; one could talk with him about anything. I had not studied with him, but the impact...

Remembering Bob Dunn

An earlier version of this article appeared in Dance Central, October 1996, the monthly newsletter of the Vancouver, British Columbia dance community. My first recollections of Bob Dunn are from...

RE Dunn

Time is configured for us in many ways: astronomical movements, clocks, calendars. Subjectively we have sensations, suppers, and friends who create our eras, our memories of a time in a...

Art with Freedom

The only workshop I attended with Robert Dunn was a revelation to me. To my surprise and delight he asked the students to explore a game structure that was part...

Another Way of Looking

In the early 70s during his studies with Irmgard Bartenieff at the Laban Institute of Movement Studies, Bob Dunn fully embraced the Laban Movement Analysis system, often referring to "Laban...