Title: Mondrian Boogie
Premiere: April 22, 1995. Commissioned by the University of Michigan School of Art and performed by Ann Arbor Dance Works at the Jean Paul Slusser Galler of Art, School of Art, University of Michigan, Art and Architecture Building, 2000 Bonisteel Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI. Subsequently performed on the Ann Arbor Dance Works 1995 spring concert, Betty Pease Studio Theater, Dance Bldg., 1310 N. Univ. Ct., Ann Arbor
Duration: 12 minutes
Music: Victory Boogie Woogie, by Stephen Rush
Musicians: Stephen Rush, piano; Ben Thomas, percussion
Dancers: Kelly Crandall, William Crowley, Tara Munger, Darby Wilde, Josef Woodson
Set Design: David Cruz
Description: Following on the heels of my 1994 work for the School of Art (a restaging of Portrait of Francoise), Mondrian Boogie was commissed by the University of Michigan School of Art to highlight an exhibit the School had in which Piet Mondrian’s New York studio was reconstructed and displayed at the Jean Paul Slusser Gallery of Art. The dance took place in the reconstructed studio.The five dancers were costumed in unitards of red, royal blue, and yellow, following Mondrian’s lead. Much use was made of right angles, both in the dancers’ pathways through space and in their individual body shapes. My print file of research for this dance work contains several memos and letters between School of Art committee members for this project, as well as articles about Mondrian, his studio,and plans for the reconstruction of the studio at the Slusser Gallery. Aditionally, the file contains several articles about Theosophy, which was an important influence on Mondrian’s work. There are also drawings of pathways for the dancers. There is also a video of the dance.