A Short Performance:   

ALBERT &  ISADORA

dance & physics

Saturday morning, 9:30 - 9:45 am:
 

Albert Einstein, who contributed more than any other single scientist to our modern vision of physical reality, might be called "the father of modern physics" and Isadora Duncan brought her innate understanding of the body and movement to create a technique that awards her the honor of being called "the mother of modern dance."  What do these two geniuses have in common?
 
In a collaboration between Sidney Perkowitz, Candler Professor of Physics at Emory University, and Lori Belilove, Artistic Director of the Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation, the creative spirits of Isadora Duncan and Albert Einstein are explored as paradigms of different fields who exemplify a unique turn-of-the century time that fostered revolutions in art and science. In a performance produced by Brian Schwartz, Director of the "Science and the Arts" series at The CUNY Graduate Center, Ms. Belilove and Professor Perkowitz illustrate how the art of Duncan's dance and the science of Einstein's relativity each in its own way illuminates space and time; and how each draws on "body knowledge " the visceral sense of one's physical place that is essential for dancers like Duncan, and was equally essential for Einstein as he pictured himself surfing on a light wave. Further connections between these icons of the early 20th century and their work may emerge as Belilove and Perkowitz interact with each other and with the audience, whose participation is encouraged.

BRIEF BIOS:  

Lori Belilove is the artistic director and founder of the Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation. Her direct lineage and prestigious performing career have earned her an international reputation as the premier interpreter and ambassador of the dance of Isadora Duncan. Through her performances, master classes, and workshops, children, college students and professional dancers have experienced the purity, timelessness, authentic phrasing, and musicality that has been passed down to Lori through the direct line of Isadora Duncan dancers.

The Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation
141 W. 26th Street, 3rd floor
New York, NY 10001-6800
(212) 691-5040
FAX (212) 627-0774
 http://www.isadoraduncan.org

Sidney Perkowitz is Charles Howard Candler Professor of Physics at Emory University. He writes and lectures about science, technology, art, and culture, including his books "Empire of Light," and "Universal Foam." He has collaborated with photographers and graphic designers, and other projects include museum displays and curatorial work at the boundaries between art and science. He is currently working on a book about bionic people and androids, and has just completed the Encyclopedia Britannica article "Relativity" as well as a play about the Russian scientist, Alexander Friedmann, the father of the Big Bang theory.

physp@emory.edu

Brian Schwartz (Producer) is Professor of Physics and Vice President for Research and Sponsored Programs at The Graduate Center and also produces the Science and the Arts Series administered by the Science Center. He was in charge of the Centennial program of the American Physical Society celebrated in March of 1999 in Atlanta where he organized the first ever physics festival. He organized two major symposia on the play Copenhagen.He is currently producing a musical based on the book, Einstein's Dreams, by Alan Lightman.

 


 

 

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