Merce Cunningham Quotes

United States, Dancer
April 16, 1919 – July, 26, 2009.

Mercier Philip "Merce" Cunningham was an American dancer and choreographer who was at the forefront of the American modern dance for more than 50 years. He is also notable for his frequent collaborations with artists of other disciplines, including musicians John Cage and David Tudor, and artists Robert Rauschenberg and Bruce Nauman. Works that he produced with these artists had a profound impact on avant-garde art beyond the world of dance.

Also known as Choreographer

I think of dance as a constant transformation of life itself.

Merce Cunningham
I was told that I had to give grades to the students, which I wasn't particularly interested in doing.

Merce Cunningham
- Giving
- Students
- Grades

I'm not expressing anything. I'm presenting people moving.

Merce Cunningham
- People
- Presenting
There are no fixed points in space.

Merce Cunningham
- Space
- Fixed
Light or luminosity is created by the way elements are juxtaposed. They become reflective and a radiance comes from putting different things together.

Merce Cunningham
The most essential thing in dance discipline is devotion, the steadfast and willing devotion to the labor that makes the classwork not a gymnastic hour and a half, or at the lowest level, a daily drudgery, but a devotion that allows the classroom discipline to become moments of dancing too.

Merce Cunningham
The most essential thing in dance discipline is devotion.

Merce Cunningham
Falling is one of the ways of moving.

Merce Cunningham
- Moving
- Falling

Anything can feed you, depending on the way you look at it.

Merce Cunningham
- Way
- Looks
You have to love dancing to stick to it.

Merce Cunningham
- Dancing
- Sticks