Cool Off with Merce

Happy Summer Solstice, everyone!

Here's a cool summer tip: Spend some time at the new Invention: Merce Cunningham & Collaborators exhibit at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center at 40 Lincoln Center Plaza, running now through October 13. Admission is free.

Enter and wander within this bright, airy space as you will. Featuring visual, print, video and oral history materials, as well as samples of costumes and sets and John Cage's musical scores, this show is a light summer repast for the senses.

I lingered over a lyrical photo of Cunningham and Carolyn Brown in a 1956 performance of Suite for Five and another of the choreographer, with puckish expression, partnering a crisp, alert Megan Walker in a 1982 performance of Roadrunners. I savored all the splashes of brilliant color that bring whimsical charm to the show--from works of art to design sketches, fabric swatches and full costumes in delightful textures and a rainbow of hues. Like the choreographer and his esteemed dancers, this show combines a certain childlike openness and friskiness with pristine form. It is delicate. And heady. And elevating. And cool. All at once.

To be responsible, I should also tell you that this exhibition is organized around "four key discoveries that Cunningham has pursued throughout his career:

• the separation of music and dance
• the use of chance operations and indeterminacy in composition and choreography
• the possibilities of film and video
• experimentation with computer technology"

But I have a feeling you'll figure that out for yourself while you're taking a nice respite from the hot city streets.

Exhibition hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (noon to 6pm); Thursday (noon to 8pm); closed Sundays, Mondays and holidays. A series of related events are planned, including screenings of Walkaround Time and CRWDSPCR (Saturday, June 23 at 3pm), performances of excerpts from John Cage's Sonatas and Interludes by pianist Nurit Tilles, a conversation between Cunningham and Laura Kuhn, Director of the John Cage Trust, and performances of a new Cunningham piece by the Cunningham Repertory Group.

For more information and the full schedule of related events, click here or call 212-870-1630.

(c) 2007, Eva Yaa Asantewaa