Research Catalog

Title

Grand Union records, 1972-1978.

Author

Grand Union (Performance group)

Supplementary Content

Finding Aid

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

Performing Artservices, Inc.

Description

.75 linear feet (54 folders)

Summary

The collection includes press information, photographs, programs, and correspondence concerning engagements of the Grand Union, ca. 1970-1976. It also includes correspondence, financial records, and photocopies of photographs borrowed by Margaret Hupp Ramsay for her 1986 thesis entitled The Grand Union (1970-1976): an improvisational performance group, publshed in 1991. The majority of the correspondence is between Performing Artservices and the members of the Grand Union about upcoming engagements and other administrative issues. Included in the press materials are program notes, mission statements, reviews, programs, flyers and observations from Grand Union members, in particular are materials from Grand Union talks to critics, an Oct. 1974 meeting between press representatives and other dancers with members of the group. The bulk of the collection is concerned with the performers and performances of the Grand Union members, especially Yvonne Rainer.

Donor/Sponsor

Gift of Performing Artservices, 1993.

Subjects

• Photographs
• Improvisation in dance
• Rainer, Yvonne, 1934-
• Dancers
• Grand Union (Performance group)

Genre/Form

Photographs.

Note

• The collection includes correspondence, office files, press materials, photographs, and information on the performances and performers of this performing arts collective, especially Yvonne Rainer.

Source (note)

• Performing Artservices

Biography (note)

• The Grand Union, also know as the Rio Grand Union, came into being in the fall of 1970. A collective of friends, choreographers, and performers, its early members included Trisha Brown, Douglas Dunn, Nancy Green, Yvonne Rainer, Steve Paxton, David Gordon and Barbara Lloyd. The collective dissolved in May 1976 and became the New Grand Union. The members of the New Grand Union were Barbara Dilley, Douglas Dunn, David Gordon, Nancy Lewis and Steve Paxton. The New Grand Union stopped soliciting dates for ensemble performance, but continued to produce and seek sponsorship for its members separately. All of the work was improvised in performance, the feeling being that the familiarity and confidence established in previous performances and shared history provided a solid ground for spontaneous behavior and inspiration in performance. An ongoing, constantly changing approach to work resulted in no two performances being alike. Sometimes the evening seemed to be about fun and games; sometimes it was solemn and highly symbolic. Sometimes it was hard to characterize. In this respect the Grand Union seemed to be more about process, involvement, and transition than any fixed view of art and theater. Performing Artservices, which managed the Grand Union during the early 1970's, donated this collection in 1993.

Indexes/Finding Aids (note)

• Finding aid available in repository and on internet.

Call Number

(S) *MGZMD 132

OCLC

123916513

Author

Grand Union (Performance group)

Title

Grand Union records, 1972-1978.

Biography

The Grand Union, also know as the Rio Grand Union, came into being in the fall of 1970. A collective of friends, choreographers, and performers, its early members included Trisha Brown, Douglas Dunn, Nancy Green, Yvonne Rainer, Steve Paxton, David Gordon and Barbara Lloyd. The collective dissolved in May 1976 and became the New Grand Union. The members of the New Grand Union were Barbara Dilley, Douglas Dunn, David Gordon, Nancy Lewis and Steve Paxton. The New Grand Union stopped soliciting dates for ensemble performance, but continued to produce and seek sponsorship for its members separately. All of the work was improvised in performance, the feeling being that the familiarity and confidence established in previous performances and shared history provided a solid ground for spontaneous behavior and inspiration in performance. An ongoing, constantly changing approach to work resulted in no two performances being alike. Sometimes the evening seemed to be about fun and games; sometimes it was solemn and highly symbolic. Sometimes it was hard to characterize. In this respect the Grand Union seemed to be more about process, involvement, and transition than any fixed view of art and theater. Performing Artservices, which managed the Grand Union during the early 1970's, donated this collection in 1993.

Indexes

Finding aid available in repository and on internet.

Local Note

Stored offsite; advance notice recommended.

Source

Performing Artservices Gift

Connect to:

Request Access to Special Collections (Dance Division) material

Finding Aid

Occupation

Dancers

Added Author

Performing Artservices, Inc.

Research Call Number

(S) *MGZMD 132