Traveling Exhibition Explores Dance in American Art

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Traveling Exhibition Explores Dance in American Art

DENVER, Colorado
/
February 02, 2016

Arthur F. Mathews (American, 1860-1945), Youth, about 1917. Oil on canvas; 59 ½ x 67 ¾ in. (151.1 x 172.1 cm.) Collection of the Oakland Museum of California, Gift of Concours d’ Antiques, the Art Guild, A66.196.24

William H. Johnson (American, 1901-1970), Jitterbugs (II), about 1941. Oil on paperboard; 24 x 15 3/8 in. (61 x 39.1 cm.) Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.611

Rhythm and Roots: Dance in American Art explores the influences, evolution, and distinct traditions of dance in America. The traveling exhibition portrays dances throughout America's diverse community, from the sacred dances of indigenous North Americans, to Irish jigs, and Spanish flamencos. About 90 paintings, photographs, sculptures, and costumes relating to American dance from 1830 to 1960 will be on view.

It is on view at the Detroit Institute of Arts (March 20-June 12, 2016) before traveling to Denver Art Museum (July 10, 2016-Oct. 2, 2016). It also will be on view at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas (October 22, 2016-January 16, 2017).

Jane Dini, Associate Curator of American Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and former Assistant Curator of American Art at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

The exhibition examines how dance moved to the public stage, showing new American dances, dance in the club, and artists’ historic fascination with and depiction of performers. Paintings in the exhibition feature iconic American dancers such as Isadora Duncan, Katherine Dunham, Fred Astaire, and Josephine Baker, as well as Spanish dancer Carmencita Dauset Moreno and Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova.

Rhythm and Roots also demonstrates the interaction between visual artists, dancers, and choreographers. Works on view show the collaboration between artists like Diego Rivera and Andy Warhol with dance companies such as the American Ballet.

Video, music, and interactive spaces help bring dance and performance to life in the exhibition galleries.

A richly illustrated exhibition catalog featuring essays by art historians and dance specialists will be available.

Organized by the Detroit Institute of Arts, Rhythm and Roots: Dance in American Art is a traveling exhibition, curated by Jane Dini, now Associate Curator of American Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and former Assistant Curator of American Art at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Curated in Denver by Angelica Daneo, curator of painting and sculpture at the Denver Art Museum.

Support has been provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support has been provided by an ADAA Foundation Curatorial Award and the Association of Art Museum Curators.