For eleven years, the dancers of MM2 Modern Dance Company have been wowing crowds at Grounds For Sculpture with their modern dance performances. They will be returning again on Sunday, May 4th from 12:00 Noon – 3:00pm for the opening of Seward Johnson: The Retrospective with improvisations inspired by the artist’s work and the periods he recreated. The program is free with paid park admission and is weather contingent.
Seward Johnson: The Retrospective is the largest and most significant exhibition in Grounds for Sculpture’s history—a presentation of work by its founder, Seward Johnson. The exhibit will feature more than 287 works, including 91 painted trays. His much-acclaimed “Forever Marilyn”, “The Awakening” and “Unconditional Surrender” will be featured. Works will be sited in three indoor galleries as well as across the 42-acre campus. Seward Johnson: The Retrospective will be on view through September 21, 2014.
The collaboration between Grounds for Sculpture and MM2 Modern Dance Company, with a program called Dance with Sculpture, began over eleven years ago after an experimental and most successful performance that occurred to a small audience of fifty. Since 2003, the collaboration between GFS and MM2 has offered over forty cross-disciplinary dance and sculpture programs, serving thousands of persons of all ages.
Dance with Sculpture has provided new and innovative interpretations and appreciation of the sculptures on site and led to a deeper appreciation of both art forms. Feedback provided by audience members and participants has indicated that the interaction of dancers with the sculptures and the natural environment creates an aesthetic experience that is life-enriching.
MM2 dancers are able to work with artists and art in the park, create new choreography and gain exposure and feedback for their works. Grounds For Sculpture attendees have also had an opportunity to observe the creation of site-specific pieces and works in progress, as MM2 rehearsed and worked at Grounds For Sculpture with specific artists/sculptors.
This season’s dancers/choreographers are: Jessica Bryan, Jenna Faye Eugenides, Kaylee Goodwin, Jillian Ikeler, Jennifer Laucella, Alison Liney, and Brianne Scott.
MM2 Modern Dance Company provides support, space and opportunities for dance artists, who wish to explore the choreographic process, in order to cultivate and introduce new work to new audiences. MM2 recognizes the inherent value in nurturing developing artists as well as the collaborative spirit to foster creativity, while pushing boundaries and forward-thinking. While MM2 is artist-driven, it is also community-centered, recognizing the need to educate, advocate, support and promote artistic vitality in the region. MM2 dancers are committed to creating and performing a new body of work each year. As a presenter, MM2 serves and fosters Philadelphia’s growing modern and contemporary dance audience. MM2 is also committed to touring works created both nationally and internationally. After a successful tour in Italy in 2013, MM2 will be touring once again in Toronto for the 2014 season.
Grounds For Sculpture, located in Hamilton, New Jersey (midway between Philadelphia and New York), is a thirty-five acre sculpture garden and arboretum on the former site of the New Jersey State Fairgrounds. Founded by Seward Johnson to promote an understanding of and appreciation for contemporary sculpture, the park has been enchanting visitors since 1992. Grounds For Sculpture features more than 270 contemporary sculptures, and two 10,000 square foot museum galleries with rotating exhibits. In addition, the park offers workshops for children and adults, concerts, performances, fairs, shopping and fine dining at the Zagat’s-rated Rat’s Restaurant.
Visit http://www.groundsforsculpture.org for more information.
QUICK FACTS
Show: Dance With Sculpture for the opening of the Seward Johnson: The Retrospective
Company: MM2 Modern Dance Company
Date: Sunday, May 4, 2014
Times: 12:00p – 3:00p
Venue: Grounds For Sculpture, 18 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, NJ 08619; Admission: $12 Adults; $10 (Seniors 65+); $8 Children and Students (Ages 6-17); Free for GFS Members and Children 5 yrs. and under.
Information: Tel. (609) 586-0616 | http://www.groundsforsculpture.org/
Tickets: Performance is free with admissions to the Grounds.