Artists of the Grand Union
Although Grand Union only existed for six years, its impact is far-reaching because of the influential artists involved. The four dancemakers covered in this Playlist—Trisha Brown, David Gordon, Steve Paxton, and Yvonne Rainer—performed here after the collective’s demise, while two others (Barbara Dilley and Douglas Dunn) were Pillow students. All are discussed in a PillowVoices podcast and a book by Wendy Perron, as well a PillowTalk—now available online in its entirety.
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Clive Thompson DanceCompany
Four Cornered Moon, 1985
This excerpt represents the many works that David Gordon made for groups other than his own—a list that includes American Ballet Theatre, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and White Oak Dance Project.
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Trisha Brown Dance Company
L’Amour au théâtre, 2017
One notable aspect of this work was the backdrop, drawn from Trisha Brown’s own visual art.
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Trisha Brown Dance Company
Les Yeux et l'âme, 2011
This was the opening work on the last Pillow program presented by the Trisha Brown Dance Company during Brown’s lifetime.
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Martha @ The Pillow
Debate 2002 / Three Seascapes, 2002
In her Pillow debut, Yvonne Rainer appeared as herself alongside Richard Move as Martha Graham—an unforgettable pairing.
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David Gordon / Pick Up Performance Company
Private Lives of Dancers, 2002
David Gordon described this work as “the fictionalized goings on in a dance company,” layering real-life observations with total artifice.
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Trisha Brown Dance Company
Five Part Weather Invention, 1999
This excerpt is from a world premiere by Trisha Brown, accompanied live by trumpeter Dave Douglas.
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Steve Paxton
Improvisation Project, 1998
For fans of contact improvisation, this is a real treat—a brief explanation of what defines the form, articulated by one of its primary movers.
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David Gordon/Pick Up Performance Co(s)
"One Part of the Matter" from Parts of a Retrospective and A Work in Progress, 1996
This collage of David Gordon works features his wife and muse, Valda Setterfield, and son Ain Gordon.
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Trisha Brown
If You Couldn't See Me, 1994
In this final solo that Trisha Brown made for herself, the dancer never faces the audience, hence the title.
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Steve Paxton
Some English Suites, 1992
Steve Paxton’s physical virtuosity is still in evidence in this solo performed in his early 50s.
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Trisha Brown Dance Company
Lateral Pass, 1986
With a solo section performed in front of the main curtain, this work features some amazingly intricate timing.
Explore Playlists
Trisha Brown Dance Company
Set and Reset, 1986
Although it premiered elsewhere, this groundbreaking collaboration between Trisha Brown, Robert Rauschenberg, and Laurie Anderson traces its beginnings to a commissioning grant from Jacob’s Pillow.