Alwin Nikolais was an artist like never before. He was born November 25, 1910 in Southington, Connecticut and died May 8, 1993 in NYC. As a young man he was a silent music accompanist with the organ and worked as a puppeteer. It wasn't until he was 21 that he attended his first dance performance. It was then that he decided he wanted to become a choreographer.
Nikolais entered the dance world to study Mary Wigman's use of percussion in her dances. From there he founded a dance school and company in Hartford, Connecticut, and was director of the dance department that is now part of Hartford University. After serving in World War II, Nikolais studied with Hanya Holm and became her assistant. He also studied under Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, Charles Weidman, and Louis Horst.
Video Biography
In 1951, the Nikolais Dance Theater, originally the Playhouse Dance Company, was created. With his company Nikolais created dances with elaborate sets, costumes, and music that were all as equally important as the movement in the eyes of Alwin. Every component of the final product was put together with care and deep thought.
With his elaborate sets and costumes Nikolais took the focus off of the individual people and put it more on the visual and audio sensations. Narrative was out of the picture. Because of this, Nikolais was accused of "dehumanizing". Depersonalizing his dancers was liberating to Nikolais. He said that once the dancers no longer
had to worry about how their own forms would be judged, they could better identify with the shapes and movements they were making.
The Nikolais Dance Theater toured abroad throughout the 1970s.
Interview
Good understanding on Alwin Nikolais. He was a great person in the world.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is super interesting that Alwin didn't come into the dance world until quite late. He also seemed to skip a couple steps in there. Usually people are dancers for a while before doing more choreography, but I supposed that that is the reason he got involved in dance in the first place. Also I wonder how his time in the war affected his choreography.
ReplyDeleteFrom watching the interesting video and the introduction about Alwin Nikolais, I have a basic knowing about this outstanding choreographer's background and his choreographies. "Nikolaise put more focus on visual and audio sensation, not on individual person." I really agree his thinking because the actor will create better movement.
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