Martha Graham Dance Company 100 Years

Founded in 1926 by Martha Graham, The Martha Graham Dance Company is the oldest dance company in the United States and remains one of the world’s most distinguished and highly acclaimed. Graham’s original works drew from a variety of influences, notably Greek mythology, the American frontier, and traditional Native American ceremonies, and were characterized by her trademark technique of “contraction and release.” She is also renowned for her ongoing collaboration with several of her contemporary creative visionaries, including sculptor Isamu Noguchi, actor and director John Houseman, composer Aaron Copland, and fashion designers Halston, Donna Karen, and Calvin Klein.

Martha Graham Dance Company 100 Years is a monumental photographic tribute to Graham’s profound creative heritage. Featuring a joyous selection of twenty-four of Graham’s most memorable works, Browar and Ory capture the beauty and the precision of dancers who make up today’s company and who carry the mantle of Graham’s legacy. Each featured dance is prefaced by a piece of archival imagery as well as a description of the dance and notes on costume design, set design, and accompanying music. An in-depth feature on Noguchi’s set design as well as an introduction by Martha Graham Dance Company artistic director Janet Eilber round out the program.