Choreographer Merce Cunningham and visual artist Robert Rauschenberg were groundbreaking when they first collaborated from 1954 to 1964, and they kept breaking ground right up through their last collaboration in 2007. The two men believed art referred only to itself, and they created riveting works together. Even now in the age of YouTube, after the legendary choreographer and painter have passed on, their work still looks weird and wonderful.
This week, the collaboration continues beyond the grave, with a tribute to both men as part of the Cunningham Legacy Tour, which has been kicking around Europe and now begins in the States at the Arsht Centers Ziff Ballet Opera House. Cunninghams company will perform excerpts from the repertoire in an offering simply called Event. The costumes will be the original unitards designed by Rauschenberg for Interscape, but the company will leave the selection of the pieces danced to chance, as the master so often did, famously letting the roll of the dice dictate the order of movements.What makes the evening particularly exciting is that the audience will be walking around the 360-degree stage with the dancers. As far as we know, though, you will not be required to make any of Cunninghams signature angular movements or don one of Rauschenbergs vintage unitards.
Dec. 2-4, 7 p.m., 2010