In this special artist demonstration, New York-based choreographer and dancer Jody Sperling presents a performance of solo dances in tribute to Loïe Fuller (1862–1928), a visionary artist whose performances drew on the light-play of Impressionism to create a new dance genre by combining billowing costumes with dazzling lights and projections. Sperling’s performance and discussion explore Fuller’s light-filled legacy in art, dance, and cinema.
At the turn of the twentieth century, Loïe Fuller (born Marie Louise Fuller) brought dance to the cutting edge of modernity, with energy and ambition that made her one of the most influential American women of her era. Her influence can be seen in such artistic movements as Art Nouveau, Symbolism, Cubism, and Futurism.
Over the years, Jody Sperling has forged a unique style inspired by Fuller. Internationally regarded as the leading exponent of Fuller’s genre, she has taken the idiom into innovative directions. In addition to her roles as founder and artistic director at the New York-based company Time Lapse Dance, Sperling is the choreographer, creative consultant, and dance coach for the French feature film La Danseuse (directed by Stephanie Di Giusto, 2016) inspired by Fuller’s life, which is scheduled for US release in November 2017.
Color, Light, and Movement in the Dances of Loïe Fuller
