Fabrications

Cunningham said that the title refers to both meanings of the verb “fabricate:” to combine parts to form a whole, and to invent or concoct, even to lie.

Continually inspired by the I Ching, Cunningham’s choreography for “Fabrications” utilized a chance process based on sixty-four phrases (sixty-four being the number of hexagrams in the Chinese book of changes).

Fabrications is an immensely dramatic piece, and the deep connections between the dancers can be seen throughout the performance. Brazilian composer Emanuel Dimas de Melo Pimenta wrote the music, which was mixed in performance by David Tudor. Dove Bradshaw’s costumes were dresses for the women, and shirts and trousers for the men. Her décor did not coincide with the “period” sense of the dance–a backdrop taken from  medical and mathematical diagrams.

“Fabrications” was co-commissioned by the Walker Arts Center.