Internationally acclaimed British dance ensemble Michael Clark Company will make its first-ever appearance in Chicago at the Museum of Contemporary Art on October 25-27.
The Company will perform come, been and gone in conjunction with the MCA's David Bowie Is exhibit. Performances take place in the Edlis Neeson Theater at MCA Stage on October 25 at 7:30 p.m., October 26 at 3:00 p.m., and October 27 at 7:30 p.m.
come, been and gone pays homage to Bowie in its unique blend of film, costumes and seven of the glam rocker's songs, including the iconic "Heroes". Choreographer Michael Clark collaborated with video artist and dance film pioneer Charles Atlas to integrate film footage of Bowie himself into the performance.
Costumes reflecting Bowie's personas and aesthetics were designed by Stevie Stewart, who began collaborating with Clark in 1984 and has also designed costumes for film, international concert tours and popular music figures including Britney Spears and Kylie Minogue.
come, been and gone was created for the Company's 25th anniversary and premiered at the Venice Biennale. The production's playful and eclectic combination of dance styles generates an unexpected balance between classical integrity and experimentation, exploring contrasting themes of virtue and vice, abandon and control, grace and embarrassment.
Since its founding in 1984, the Michael Clark Company has performed in leading houses in Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia, as well as its home stage at the Barbican in London, where it has been a resident company since 2005. Michael Clark Company productions are rooted in a mixture of technical rigor and fine-tuned choreography intersecting with elements of Dada, punk, pop and rock.
MCA Stage will also present three films by acclaimed experimental video artist and film director Charles Atlas, on Friday, October 17 at 6:00 p.m. The film screening is free with museum admission or Michael Clark Company ticket.
Atlas created the visual design for come, been and gone. In addition to his long creative association with Michael Clark, Atlas has also worked collaboratively with Merce Cunningham and pioneered the development of dance works created directly for film.
These events are part of a number of performances and video screenings inspired by and held in conjunction with the MCA's David Bowie Is exhibition. For a complete list of related events, visit mcachicago.org.
