The dancer and choreographer Michael Clark emerged from the 80's punk and post-punk art scene. Part dance, part performance art, part fashion, he took dance to a new level of creativity. That usually also means his work wasn't without controversy (I had to edit down some of this content). He was born in Aberdeen Scotland and started dancing at age 4. He studied classical dance at the Royal Ballet School in London. In 1984 he formed his own dance company where he collaborated with, among others, the fashion designers Bodymap, the artist Leigh Bowery (who also designed some of his costumes) and the music group The Fall. It's inspiring to research people who seemingly were placed here on earth to push the limits of art and life.
I love these colors! I don't know what this is from, but his costumes always have some sort of visual impact.
This is from a show he did at London's Barbican called "I Do". The wedding dress is based on a design by Yves Saint Laurent from 1965.
The wedding dress. Who knew YSL was so avant garde?
This is from his website so it might be more current, but you see the 80's influence.
Simple, but striking.
The costumes enhance the lines of the dancers.
This is his "Dance 1" from a PBS series. The costumes are just so extreme 80's.
"Dance 3". This is a little trippier but has some great images.
(This is my first time posting videos, so I hope they work!)
There are many more of his videos on YouTube. You should also check out his website. He is still working and creating.
why censor his career? the extreme stuff is what makes people like this worth knowing about. by editing things like this you do art, history and truth a disservice. Do you think the world is a nice cosy place with nothing shocking in? No, so why twist reality to petend it is. Dancing with a dildo on is hilarious and shocking and thought-provoking, and that's what art is.
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