Dancer, choreographer, filmmaker and writer Yvonne Rainer (born 1934, lives in New York) is widely acknowledged as having played a key role in revolutionising post-war dance, inspiring generations of performers. In the sixties and early seventies, initially as part of the Judson Theater in New York (alongside Simone Forti, Steve Paxton and Trisha Brown), Rainer made dance works that were concerned with social and political form. Her choreography incorporated 'ordinary' movement and ‘neutral’ performance, rethinking the performeraudience relationship.

This exhibition is the first to present live performances of Rainer’s dance works alongside other aspects of her practice: theoretical and lyrical writing, sketches and scores, photographs of performances, documentary and experimental films, and an audio recording of one of her early performative lectures. Together these convey a vivid picture of Rainer's production from 1961 to 1972, and its proximity to the visual arts of the time, notably to minimalist sculpture.

A highlight of the exhibition is a 45-minute dance programme performed four times daily. Dancers trained for the occasion by Rainer and her long-time collaborator Pat Catterson will perform her celebrated works Trio A (1966) and Chair Pillow (1969), as well as the UK premieres of the very rarely seen Talking Solo and Diagonal (both 1963).

The exhibition is curated by Catherine Wood, Curator of Contemporary Art and Performance at Tate Modern, and made possible through the generous cooperation of the Getty Research Institute. The live performances are organised with Martin Hargreaves, Programme Leader at Trinity Laban Conservatoire.

During opening hours there will be performances repeated at 11.45, 1.15, 3 and 4.30. No booking is necessary.

Raven Row Gallery

56 Artillery Lane
London E1 7LS United Kingdom
Ph. +44 (0)20 73774300
info@ravenrow.org
www.ravenrow.org

Opening hours

Wednesday - Sunday
From 11am to 6pm

Related images
  1. Yvonne Rainer, First version of The Mind is a Muscle (1966–68), Judson Memorial Church, New York, May 1966, Photo: Peter Moore © Barbara Moore / Licensed by VAGA, NY
  2. Yvonne Rainer, M-Walk from WAR (1970), New York University, November 1970, Photo: Peter Moore © Barbara Moore / Licensed by VAGA, NY
  3. Yvonne Rainer, Volleyball projected during Film from The Mind is a Muscle (1966–68), Anderson Theater, New York, April 1968, Photo: Peter Moore © Barbara Moore / Licensed by VAGA, NY
  4. Yvonne Rainer, Diagonal (no. 8) from Terrain (1962–65), Judson Memorial Church, New York, April 1963, Left to right: Steve Paxton, William Davis, Judith Dunn, Photo: Al Giese
  5. Yvonne Rainer, Unknown
  6. Yvonne Rainer, Terrain (1962–65), Judson Memorial Church, New York, April 1963 William Davis and Steve Paxton observing the performance, Photo: Al Giese