Skip to main content

Alicia Markova & Loie Fuller - Dance bringing light to life

Dance is one of the ways art brings light into people's lives. Here are two examples of visionary artists illuminating the stage in entirely different ways.

Dame Alicia Markova was widely considered to be one of the greatest classical ballet dancers of the twentieth century. Her stage debut in 1920 at the age of 10 was in a Christmas production of pantomime Dick Whittington and His Cat. The performance featured here is Solo and Pas de Deux form "The Nutcracker". Dame Alicia Markova died on 2nd December 2004, one day after her 94th birthday.

Loie (or Louie) Fuller was a pioneer, both of modern dance and theatrical lighting techniques. Born in 1862 she was an early free dance practitioner, developing her own natural movement and improvisation techniques. In 1892 she became one of the first of many American modern dancers who travelled to Europe to seek recognition. In Paris she became one of the leading revolutionaries in the arts and and was often identified with Symbolism. She was one of the era's most influential and celebrated performers and died on 1st January 1928. There is no recording of Fuller performing her famous serpentine dance but this silent tinted film from 1905 gives a flavour of what it would have looked like.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Our Societies support hundreds of local arts and heritage projects. Each day we highlight a grant given in 2021. 

The Arts Society Chipstead will be funding an arts lecture with Arts Society Accredited Lecturer, Matthew Wilson, as part of the Banstead Arts Festival in 2022. The festival brings music, drama and art to Banstead and the surrounding area.

All donations from the Artvent Calendar will go towards The Arts Society’s grant giving fund, which awards grants to help preserve our artistic heritage, support the skills of artists and makers, and improve access to the arts for all.

Please click here to support projects like this one by making a Donation.

Comments

Very hectic before Christmas working at vaccination centre so am now indulging in the AS advent calendar. Love both these videos. The first one shows how legendary performances become legendary and the second one was a revelation. Thank you

Joanna Lavelle Sun, 02/01/2022 - 13:12 Permalink

I loved watching these two films. I had never heard of Loie Fuller I am ashamed to say. Many thanks.

Mary Vos Sun, 12/12/2021 - 15:32 Permalink

Amazing 1905 film😮

Paula Chabrel Fri, 10/12/2021 - 14:06 Permalink

Thoroughly enjoying this advent calendar.
You continue to give us members wonderful experiences.
Thank you so much for your ingenuity and efforts.

Dania Leslie Wed, 08/12/2021 - 05:50 Permalink

Both pieces are wonderful but I was particularly entranced by Loie Fuller's free dance style. Great!

Sue Grant Sun, 05/12/2021 - 17:31 Permalink

Both pieces are wonderful but I was particularly entranced by Loie Fuller's free dance style. Great!

Sue Grant Sun, 05/12/2021 - 17:30 Permalink

Loie Fuller’s dance was amazing and the colours of the tints just made it magical.

Valerie Maidment Fri, 03/12/2021 - 16:03 Permalink

Such a treat to see both dancers. Fuller's performance had that touch of the magical, and Markova's seemed so modern in such a stark setting. Wonderful!

Anna Simonsen Thu, 02/12/2021 - 21:24 Permalink

Thanks for a real treat today - I look forward to tomorrow and the days to come.

Pat Pollok-Morris Thu, 02/12/2021 - 19:07 Permalink

What a wonderful innovative idea this Artvent calendar is.
Much appreciated.

Liz Coult Thu, 02/12/2021 - 18:57 Permalink