Martha Graham

Martha Graham

Dancer and choreographer Martha Graham (1894-1991) was the central figure of the modern dance movement. In more than 180 works created during a career of over fifty years, Graham developed an original technique involving the expression of primal emotions through stylized bodily movement of great intensity. Martha Graham started dancing in 1916 with the Denishawn company, and she began her independent career in 1926 in New York City. Introducing innovative stage design into her repertoire with a set created by Isamu Noguchi for her 1935 solo dance Frontier, Graham began a collaboration with the sculptor that lasted for three decades. Noguchi designed close to twenty sets for Martha Graham, including those for her series based on Greek myths: Cave of the Heart (1946), Errand into the Maze (1947), Night Journey (1947), Clytemnestra (1958), Alcestis (1960), Phaedra (1962), Circe (1963) and Cartege of Eagles (1966). Graham also addressed Biblical and religious themes in other works for which Noguchi created sets, including Herodiade (1944), Judith (1950), Seraphic Dialogue (1955) and Embattled Garden (1958). Martha Graham retired as a dancer in 1970, but continued to teach her dance technique and to choreograph for her company.