Light on the Feet:
Masters of Dance Photography

March 24 - June 10, 2001

Martha Graham, "Letter to the World (kick)"
© Barbara Morgan. Barbara Morgan Archives.

In conjunction with numerous dance events was an extraordinary exhibition organized by the Erie Art Museum especially for the occasion. The exhibition featured some of the greatest dance photographs of the second half of the 20th century. Six photographers were represented: Tom Caravaglia, Paul Himmel, Barbara Morgan, Francesco Scavullo, Howard Schatz and Max Waldman.

On display in the ground floor gallery, each artist brings a personal vision to these images of dancers. The approaches vary from Himmel’s grainy black & white ballet dancers to Schatz’s dreamy color underwater dancers. Barbara Morgan’s iconic black & white images of modernists Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham contrast with Max Waldman’s classic images of ballet stars. Famous faces abound, whether in Tom Caravaglia’s kinetic action tableaus or Scavullo’s trend-setting fashion-slick color images. With over thirty works on view, these six photographers prominently capture the art of dance through their visionary works of art.

In addition, the dance event DanceBodies was held within the main gallery of the Museum as an opening reception to the exhibit. This unique performance was choreographed by Lake Erie Ballet Artistic Director Christina Maria.