Mikhail Baryshnikov: Merce My Way

You might remember Mikhail Baryshnikov for a variety of reasons. Primarily famous for being a groundbreaking ballet dancer, he was also a fixture on the Studio 54 circuit in the '70s, as well as the guy who played that Russian dude Carrie dated briefly on Sex and the City. Also a visual artist, he has spent the last three decades experimenting with photography, though never dance photography. That changed in 2006 when Baryshnikov began photographing Merce Cunningham Dance Company. Cunningham himself is a dance giant; his modern dance choreography is world renowned. The results of Baryshnikov's time digitally photographing rehearsals with the troupe can be seen in "Merce My Way," an exhibit that's far from the stylized pictures that grace the arts sections of some magazines and newspapers. Rather, it is a series that strives to capture the rush of blurred movement and trailing lights; the frenetic and fluid moments of dance. Cunningham himself is a big fan of the end result, and has said that Baryshnikov's work captures the multiplicity of dance and movement in new and refreshing ways. The opening reception will be held this Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Mikhail Baryshnikov will be there to celebrate.
June 20-Aug. 2, 2008