Page 53 - Ocean Blue World Winter 2019 Edition
P. 53
ART & DESIGN
he Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater grew from
a now-fabled performance in March 1958 at the
92nd Street Y in New York City. Led by Alvin Ailey
Tand a group of young African-American modern
dancers, that performance changed forever the perception of
American dance.
In 2008, a U.S. Congressional resolution designated the
Company as “a vital American cultural ambassador to
the world” that celebrates the uniqueness of the African-
American cultural experience and the preservation and
enrichment of the American modern dance heritage. When
Ailey began creating dances, he drew upon memories of
Texas, the blues, spirituals, and gospel as inspiration, which
resulted in the creation of his most popular and critically
acclaimed work, Revelations.
“All performances conclude with Revelations, set
to spirituals and gospel, a triumphant hymn to the
human spirit, moving from a sense of sorrow to joy-
filled life. It’s perhaps now over-familiar, but remains
a fine piece, a tribute to the man who made it and
to the dancers who perform it with such conviction.
Ailey’s shadow looms large.” - The Guardian
The Ailey company has performed for an estimated 25
million people at theaters in 48 states and 71 countries on
six continents – as well as millions more through television
broadcasts, films and online platforms.
Photos Courtesy Of: Andrew AAADT , Eccles, Gert Krautbauer, Nan Melville, Paul Kolnik
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