A very unique merger of a very famous choreographer and dancer Merce Cunningham with designer Rei Kawakubo. In 1997 Cunningham’s Scenario was a incredible and infamous collaboration.The outfits included in this piece were lumpy and graphic, stripes and checkered bulges can be seen around the waists which gave an amazing touch to both the fields.
The extraordinary costumes brought more fame to the Japanese designer and legendary choreographer. The third show in a series of showcasing the Walker’s Merce Cunningham Dance Company Collection was the first single largest display of visual art in the Walker’s history.
The Japanese Fashion designer also named as Comme des Garcons in 1969. She initially started her Tokyo and Paris based fashion label in 1973. The success of this collaboration can be assumed to the common ground of creative philosophies between the duo.Both of them even had the nack to do things differently and loved to push the boundaries.
This was the first time the choreographer ever worked with a haute couture designer. The designer first declined the offer , but then as she brought her notorious spring/summer 1997 Body Meets Dress, she changed her mind as the show didn’t go that well.
The designer also contributed the Scenario’s stage and lighting concepts with designers Takao Kawakubo and Masao Nihei. The outcome of which was stark white, fluorescent lit setting.
The costumes were exhibited at the Cunningham Dance Company Collection in a gallery, which was designed to highlight the Scenario’s original setting. The combination of both the choreographer and designer lighted up the stage, making the bond of art and fashion more strong.
mimesis 