Skip to main content
Back to search
  • Add to playlist

Sanctum - Imago

Numeridanse.tv 1964 - Director : Louis, Murray

Choreographer(s) : Nikolaïs, Alwin (United States)

Present in collection(s): Numeridanse.tv

Video producer : Murray Louis

en fr

Sanctum - Imago

Numeridanse.tv 1964 - Director : Louis, Murray

Choreographer(s) : Nikolaïs, Alwin (United States)

Present in collection(s): Numeridanse.tv

Video producer : Murray Louis

en fr

Sanctum - Imago

As soon as the curtain rose on the Prologue of Sanctum at the Henry Street Playhouse last night, it was obvious that Alwin Nikolais, the creator of the work, had not run out of ideas for dance‐theater effects.

The floor was full of dancers lying flat on their faces. Above them on a swinging trapeze bar was Murray Louis, hang­ing head down.

This was just the beginning of a full‐length work of 10 dances. Sanc­tum, like Imago, Mr. Niko­lais's full‐length work of last year, could be described, there­fore, as a suite of dances, even of what happens does not al­ways look like dancing as it is commonly envisioned.

In his tireless search for novel pictorial effects, Mr. Nikolais has found some of the most complex and stunning color lighting combinations this re­viewer has ever seen on the stage.

As always with Mr. Niko­lais's productions, he is respon­sible for almost everything in Sanctum—the electronic sound score, the choreography, the lighting and the training of all the performers. It represents a formidable accomplishment.


Source : ALLEN HUGHES, FEB. 21, 1964, The New York Times

Nikolaïs, Alwin

Alwin Nikolaïs was born in 1910 in Southington, Connecticut. He studied piano at an early age and began his performing career as an organist accompanying silent films. As a young artist he gained skills in scenic design, acting, puppetry and music composition. It was after attending a performance by the illustrious German dancer Mary Wigman that he was inspired to study dance. He received his early dance training at Bennington College from the great figures of the modern dance world: Hanya Holm, Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, Charles Weidman, Louis Horst, and others. In 1940, in collaboration with Truda Kaschmann, his first modern dance teacher Mr. Nikolais received a commission to create « Eight Column Line », his first ballet.  In 1948, Mr. Nikolais was appointed director of the Henry Street Playhouse, where he formed the Playhouse Dance Company, later renamed and known as the Nikolais Dance Theatre. It was at Henry Street that Mr. Nikolais began to develop his own world of abstract dance theatre, portraying man as part of a total environment. His unique choreographic works placed him in a realm previously untouched by other choreographers. Mr. Nikolais redefined dance, as “the art of motion which, left on its own merits, becomes the message as well as the medium.“

While developing his choreography, Mr. Nikolais' lifelong interest in music led him to create his own scores. Choreographer, composer, scenic and costume designer, has blended his many talents into a single aesthetic force. In a career that has spanned five decades, he has left his imprint on every theatrical medium, from Broadway to television. Whenever there is something new, his hand is evident. His lighting wonders, his sound scores, his choreography, and his costumes have influenced the contemporary stage and a generation of choreographers. Mr. Nikolais is the creator of the internationally acclaimed Nikolais Dance Theater and the genius responsible for dozens of visual masterpieces. As a uniquely original exponent of American contemporary dance he toured throughout Europe and subsequent tours to South America and the Far East. Mr. Nikolais is renowned as a master teacher, and his pedagogy is taught in schools and universities throughout the world. He passed away May 8, 1993 and is buried in Pere La Chaisse cemetery in Paris.


Source: Nikolais/Louis Foundation for dance Inc.


More information: nikolaislouis.org

Louis, Murray

Murray Louis is known throughout the world not only as one of the great male dancers, but also as a uniquely gifted choreographer, teacher and eloquent spokesman
for the art of dance. Mr. Louis’ reputation as a master of the language of dance grew as he developed an eclectic, poetic, and skillfully articulate choreographic style. He has created over 100 works, toured five continents, and performed in every state in the United States of America.  

Born in Brooklyn in 1926, Murray Louis grew up in Manhattan, not far from Henry Street where his company was to be founded years later. At the same time, his sister took him to many of the early modern dance concerts. After his discharge from the Navy in 1946, Mr. Louis, then a San Francisco resident, turned his attention to dance. He enrolled in Colorado College’s summer session conducted by Hanya Holm. It was there that he met Alwin Nikolais, who would become the single most important influence on his career. Mr. Louis returned to New York in 1949. While earning a Dramatic Arts degree at New York University, Louis attended class with Mr. Nikolais at Henry Street Playhouse. That same year, Mr. Louis made his debut as lead soloist in Mr. Nikolais’ newly formed Playhouse Dance Company (later renamed the Nikolais Dance Theater).

In 1951, Mr. Louis was appointed Associate Director to Mr. Nikolais, and became a driving force in the evolution of the aesthetic and pedagogic theory, which today is known as the Nikolais/Louis technique. The Murray Louis Dance Company was founded in 1953.


Source : Foundation Nikolaïs Louis 's website


More information : nikolaislouis.org

Sanctum - Imago

Choreography : Alwin Nikolais

Set design : Alwin Nikolais

Additionnal music : Alwin Nikolais

Lights : Alwin Nikolais

Costumes : Alwin Nikolais

Our videos suggestions
02:59

Eins Zwei Drei

Zimmermann, Martin (France)

  • Add to playlist
02:55

Du Désir d'horizons

Sanou, Salia (Du désir d'horizons)

  • Add to playlist
03:41

Syyskuu

Carlson, Carolyn (Finland)

  • Add to playlist
04:18

Dall'interno

Carlson, Carolyn (France)

  • Add to playlist
03:51

Steppe

Carlson, Carolyn (France)

  • Add to playlist
01:37:56

Steppe

Carlson, Carolyn (France)

  • Add to playlist
02:59

Loïe Fuller - la danse des couleurs

Fuller, Loïe (France)

  • Add to playlist
02:58

Via Kanana

Maqoma, Gregory Vuyani (France)

  • Add to playlist
29:31

Post

Raffinot, François (France)

  • Add to playlist
02:22

Singspiele

Marin, Maguy (France)

  • Add to playlist
47:49

Hurry Up !

Bouvier, Joëlle (France)

  • Add to playlist
02:46

Hallo

Zimmermann, Martin (Switzerland)

  • Add to playlist
03:41

Heimat - focus

Brabant, Jérôme (Reunion)

  • Add to playlist
15:34

Cinderella

Malandain, Thierry (France)

  • Add to playlist
03:07

Skin

Tchouda, Bouba Landrille (France)

  • Add to playlist
10:32

Salves

Marin, Maguy (France)

  • Add to playlist
36:17

The Manor

Brumachon, Claude (France)

  • Add to playlist
03:58

The Manor

Brumachon, Claude (France)

  • Add to playlist
03:00

Sutra

Cherkaoui, Sidi Larbi (France)

  • Add to playlist
02:39

Katlehong Cabaret

Katlehong Cabaret (France)

  • Add to playlist
Our themas suggestions

les ballets C de la B et l'esthétique du réel

Exposition virtuelle

Numeridanse.tv
Université Lyon 2 - Arts de la scène et du spectacle vivant

les ballets C de la B et l'esthétique du réel

Exposition virtuelle

Découvrez les ballets C de la B à travers cette exposition, réalisée par un groupe d'étudiants de l'Université de Lyon 2 issus du Master Arts de la scène et du spectacle vivant (théâtre et danse), en collaboration avec la Biennale de la danse - édition 2021 et Numeridanse. 

Discover
Know more

Charles Picq, réalisateur en danse

Exposition virtuelle

Maison de la Danse de Lyon

Charles Picq, réalisateur en danse

Exposition virtuelle

Rencontre avec Charles Picq, réalisateur et vidéaste de la danse. 

Discover
Know more

À corps et à cris

Exposition virtuelle

Ministère de la Culture

À corps et à cris

Exposition virtuelle

"Comme nous le savons, l’une des plus importantes limitations du corps dans le ballet est qu’il danse sans voix, planant et défiant les lois de la gravité sans bruit.’’
(Bojana Kunst)

Discover
Know more

Modern Dance and Its American Roots [1900-1930] From Free Dance to Modern Dance

Parcours

Céline Roux

Modern Dance and Its American Roots [1900-1930] From Free Dance to Modern Dance

Parcours

At the dawn of the 20th century, in a rapidly changing West, a new dance appeared: Modern Dance. In the United States as in Europe, modern trends emerge simultaneously and intertwine in thier development. Let's dive into the beginnings of American modern dance!  

Discover
Know more

Dancing bodies

Parcours

Centre national de la danse

Dancing bodies

Parcours

Focus on the variety of bodies offered by contemporary dance and how to show these bodies: from complete nudity to the body completely hidden or covered.

Discover
Know more

Meeting with literature

Parcours

Centre national de la danse

Meeting with literature

Parcours

Collaboration between a choreographer and a writer can lead to the emergence of a large number of combinations. If sometimes the choreographer creates his dance around the work of an author, the writer can also choose dance as the subject of his text.

Discover
Know more

Black Dance

Webdoc

Julie Charrier

Black Dance

Webdoc

James Carlès, dancer and choreographer and specialist of Afro-American dance, evokes the origin of current-day urban dances. From Africa to the United States via Europe, he emphasizes their hybrid style and puts their social and political dimension into perspective. A myriad of videos, photos, illustrations and additional resources complement this interview.
Discover
Know more

Carolyn Carlson, a woman of many faces

Exposition virtuelle

Numeridanse.tv

Carolyn Carlson, a woman of many faces

Exposition virtuelle

Comment raconter la vie et l’œuvre d'une femme qui a marqué la danse et les danseurs dans tant de villes, à tant d'époques et de tant de façon différentes ? Une exposition en quatre chapitres qui retraverse l'histoire de cette femme-artiste. 

Discover
Know more

La Biennale de la danse

Exposition virtuelle

Biennale de la danse

La Biennale de la danse

Exposition virtuelle

La Biennale de la danse est un événement lyonnais que la ville traverse toutes les années paires. Voici l’histoire de cette aventure et un historique de toutes ses éditions.

Discover
Know more

Arts of motion

Parcours

Anne Décoret-Ahiha

Arts of motion

Parcours

Generally associated with circus arts, here is a Journey that will take you on a stroll through different artists from this world.

Discover
Know more

Why do I dance ?

Webdoc

Julie Charrier

Why do I dance ?

Webdoc

Social dances, anti-establishment, protest dances, rhythms or identities, rituals or pleasures... There are a myriad of reasons for dancing and a myriad of points of view. A webdoc to discover, enhanced with extracts from performances and accounts from amateurs... all the right reasons for dancing!
Discover
Know more

Scenic space

Parcours

Anne Décoret-Ahiha

Scenic space

Parcours

A dance performance takes place in a defined spatial area ... or not. This course helps to understand the occupation of the stage space in dance.

Discover
Know more

Genres and styles

Parcours

Anne Décoret-Ahiha

Genres and styles

Parcours

Dance is a rather vast term, which covers a myriad of specificities. These depend on the culture of a country, on a period, on a place. This Journey proposes a visit through dance genres and styles.

Discover
Know more

Improvisation

Parcours

Philippe Guisgand

Improvisation

Parcours

 Discovery of improvisation’s specificities in dance. 

Discover
Know more
By accessing the website, you acknowledge and accept the use of cookies to assist you in your browsing.
You can block these cookies by modifying the security parameters of your browser or by clicking onthis link.
I accept Learn more