10 June 2015 // Stefanie Barz //Berlin

//HEAR & SEE

Loïe Fuller

Born in 1862 in the back of a tavern and starting as a burlesque dancer, Loie Fuller became one of the most innovative and independent dance artists of the 20th century.

Her extensive use of silk falling down from long sticks she swings around in her hands as if it was just the wind blowing into the layers of fabric, is stunningly beautiful to watch in a performance as well as captured in photographs. She seems to be a human butterfly trying to escape from gravity, from earth. She is a demonstration of the expressive power of movement, soft and energetic at once.

I hardly ever saw textiles flowing so elegantly, turning into a temporary living sculpture itself, many sculptures at once. The silent garment is one of them.

I hear the gentle wing beating of a multi-disciplinary visionary.