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.