3 Dance Books Perfect for Holiday Gifting
Dancers love to linger over pictures of dancers. That’s why I’m going to tell you about some delicious (mostly) new photography books that would make great holiday gifts to your friends, colleagues or relatives.
Photographs by Ken Browar and Deborah Ory
Photographers Ken Browar and Deborah Ory founded NYC Dance Project to create images of dancers of all genres. Their 70+ subjects include Dance Magazine favorites like Ashley Bouder, Lloyd Knight, Devon Teuscher, Lauren Lovette, Chase Finlay and Sarah Lane, hailing from American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Martha Graham Dance Company, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Bolshoi Ballet and more. Each photo takes up a full page and is enticingly beautiful. Published by Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, 2016.
Lloyd Knight and Isabelle Guerin-Frohlich
Merce Cunningham: Beyond the Perfect Stage
Photographs by Stephanie Berger
Afterword by Nancy Dalva. Composition by Trevor Carlson.
A longtime photographer behind the scenes at Lincoln Center and other venues, Berger shot the Merce Cunningham Dance Company from 2008 to 2011. She brings to life the last years of the company in many settings, sometimes alongside visual artists like Richard Serra, Dan Flavin and Sol LeWitt. This vibrant book could be considered a Cunningham “event” itself. Published by Damiani, 2016.
Jennifer Goggans, Daniel Madoff and Koji Mizuta at the Dia Art Foundation in Beacon, NY
Photographs by Gil Garcetti
Although this book was published in 2007, the dance landscape of Cuba is newly relevant to Americans, as shown in our June issue. American photographer Gil Garcetti, who traveled to Cuba seven times from 2001 to 2006, has captured artful images of Cubans dancing in theaters, studios and the streets. Each page is more gorgeous than the last. The book also features quotes, including this one from the great Viengsay Valdés: “Rhythm is in the blood of Cubans. Dance is the way Cubans throw away their problems. It is a way to escape. There are so many different dances Cubans enjoy and our spirit can be seen in each of them.” This book bears that out. Published by Balcony Press.
2017 Calendar from Lois Greenfield
For a lightweight gift, consider this calendar by top dance photographer Lois Greenfield. Every month the giftee will be greeted by a new stunning dance picture. Enjoy.
