Artery

The Independent Review:
Martha Clarke’s “Garden of Earthly Delights”

Byron Woods · 13 Jun 2007, 4:19 PM · Comment

Torn from the pages of today’s Independent Weekly: critic Byron Woods’ analysis of Martha Clarke’s Garden of Earthly Delights. Read on—and respond with your comments at the end… Continue reading »

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You saw it…

Byron Woods · 8 Jun 2007, 11:33 AM · 3 Comments

…the world premiere (of sorts) of Martha Clarke’s newly expanded Garden of Earthly Delights.

What did you think? Post your responses to the show in Comments.

Dance Martha Clarke

Our conversation with Martha Clarke

Byron Woods · 7 Jun 2007, 9:23 PM · Comment

I had a good conversation with Martha Clarke last week.

Interviews are tricky. Usually, a publicist will guarantee 15 minutes with your subject.

Think about that for a moment. If an artist’s work has really intrigued you, there’s no shortage of questions. Sometimes you’ve wanted to ask them for years.

You have 15 minutes.

Anything beyond that is entirely at their discretion.

They always seem surprised you’ve done your homework—read the book, saw the performance, heard the music. They always seem surprised you’ve actually been thinking about their art for some time.

If they’re enjoying the conversation—even if they’re challenged by it—it continues.

Sometimes you get the strangest sense: Maybe they don’t get to have that many conversations like this, either.

Sunday morning, May 27, 2007. 10:49 a.m. I’m sitting in the dining room of a house in Jamestown, N.C. Sheafs of papers and DVDs on the upcoming season are strewn across the table. Individual stacks for each artist take every chair in the room and line the floor along the wall.

I’ve been up since early morning, reading more about the first incarnation of The Garden of Earthly Delights, going over my notes from the 1985 ADF performance DVD, replaying sections to check certain points.

It’s time. I make sure the black umbilicus of the Sony digital recorder is attached to the phone.

I call a number somewhere in Durham. Someone picks up. The sound of Pomeranians fills the background.

Martha Clarke is on the line. We speak for a little over 50 minutes. Continue reading »

Dance Martha Clarke

Welcome to the Indy’s American Dance Festival blog

David Fellerath · 6 Jun 2007, 7:06 AM · Comment

Our ADF preview is on newstands starting today. We’ve got a pullout section that provides company profiles and tips on what to expect. Our consumer guide is invaluable to dance novices, letting us know if a piece is especially accessible, esoteric, ribald or disturbing (this is particularly intended for those considering bringing their children).

Also, be sure to check Byron’s profile of Martha Clarke, whose seminal Garden of Earthly Delights will be staged with brand-new choreography, starting Thursday, June 7.

Thanks for checking out this blog. We’re making it up as we go along, so be sure to leave comments and suggestions!

Dance Martha Clarke