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Introductory
notes to A Lecture on the Performance of Beauty
I choreographed
a solo dance, O Beautiful, in Spring 2002.
In December
2002 I hired a costume designer for O Beautiful and suggested
the costume have a post–apocalyptic look .
In February 2003, after several performances, I decide not to perform
O Beautiful in that costume anymore because of its influence
over my dancing.
I continue a daily practice of O Beautiful through spring
2003. It becomes Beauty. I find a nice pale blue linen costume.
One day in late spring, I take off my clothes in the studio because
it is very hot. I like the feeling of performing Beauty nude.
It feels like the right costume for the dance.
I bring the blue linen outfit with me to London in June 2003. This
way I have a choice to perform Beauty nude, or not, depending
on how I feel in relation to the audience. At my age, it is not as
if I want to perform without any clothes. The first dance on the program
is my 40-minute solo Music. The audience is extremely receptive.
After intermission, I step onstage in my pale blue costume, and ask
for a volunteer from the audience. I whisper my wish that we walk
upstage and that she is to undress me before returning to her seat.
I hold that performance of Beauty perfect and complete.
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