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Conversations on Dance
(485) Ken Browar and Deborah Ory of NYC Dance Project on Photographing Martha Graham Dance Company’s 100 Years
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Today, on "Conversations on Dance", we talk with Ken Browar and Deborah Ory, the minds (and cameras) behind NYC Dance Project. We talk with Ken and Deborah about their book, Martha Graham Dance Company, 100 years, and how their backgrounds in dance and editorial fashion shaped their approach. They explain how early dancer sessions evolved into a slow, highly collaborative process focused on a few images that suggest continuing movement rather than freezing it. For the Graham centennial, they installed a studio setup at the company for three years, photographed 25 works from largely current repertory, combined studio and location shoots, used historical research and images as references. The resulting book, Martha Graham Dance Company, 100 Years" is available for purchase here.
00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
01:24 Deborah Dance to Camera
02:28 Ken Fashion Roots
03:55 First Dancers and Launch
05:50 Instagram and Early Growth
06:18 Fashion Meets Dance Craft
08:48 Shooting Movement Not Freeze
10:41 Slow Shoots and Safe Space
14:04 Dancer Perfection and Control
15:21 Graham Company Shift
17:17 Why the Centennial Book
18:31 Building the Studio Setup
19:30 Building the Book Archive
19:46 Choosing 25 Iconic Works
21:15 Studio Shoots and Coaching
22:05 Editing and Page Sequencing
23:07 Outdoor Locations Strategy
24:15 Researching Graham Repertory
25:52 No Reshoots and Costume Logistics
26:26 Group Shots and Precision
28:45 Costumes and Fabric Movement
31:47 Where to Buy and Signed Copies
33:10 Future Projects and Farewell
Conversations on Dance was the recipient of the 2024 Clive Barnes Award for Journalism and Media Achievement.
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Website: conversationsondancepod.com
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