Ocean

Oceans, 2008 Minnesota

In Cunningham's later years he wanted to create a dynamic experience for the viewer. Hoping to collaborate on a piece with John cage that would really bring the audience into a whole new experience. The idea was proposed by John Cage years before the actual piece was created, unfortunately Cage passed away and hope was some what lost for the event. Luckily one of Cage's assistants stored all of the plans and scores that he had intended on using for the event. I find this aspect of this dance piece to be interesting because in a sense they were preforming a similar project to what I am doing in my FA 350 class by doing a imaginary collaboration with a artist.
The really defining aspect to this dance is the set up. Cunningham's and Cage's vision was to give the viewer an amazing experience by placing a circular stage, surrounding it with the audience, and then placing musicians around the audience.
This idea seems so complex and shows me the true genius of his work. Cunningham accomplishes two things:
1.Give the audience a show 360 degrees around the stage. On traditional stages there is always a front, back, left, and right. Creating a 90 minute dance routine with these settings is simply amazing, having to think of what his choreography will look like from each perspective.
2.Allows the viewer to have a full experience. I imagine being at this event would be similar to watching a basketball game from on the court; you can hear it all around you, you can also see from different angles.