Michael Clark: Cosmic Dancer

A new exhibition dedicated to the work of dancer and choreographer Michael Clark will open at the Barbican next month. ‘Cosmic Dancer’ marks the 15th anniversary of the iconoclast’s ongoing collaboration with the Barbican as Artistic Associate, and will be the first major exhibition to explore his radical and multi-disciplinary practice.

A practicer of traditional Scottish dance since the age of four, Clark would emerge on the British dance scene in the late ’70s following his training with London’s Royal Ballet School. He appeared in a Channel 4 mockumentary titled ‘Hail the New Puritan’, soundtracked by Manchester band The Fall, in 1986, and would later collaborate with the post-punk outfit on his 1988 ballet ‘I Am Curious, Orange’. Across a vibrant career, he would work with noted musicians such as Jarvis Cocker and Wire, later being awarded a CBE from the Queen for his services to dance in 2014.

‘Cosmic Dancer’ will combine film, photography and other media from across Clarke’s career, presented alongside collaborative works with talents such as German photographer Wolfgang Tillmans and Welsh conceptual artist Cerith Wyn Evans. The soundtrack will comprise work by David Bowie, Patti Smith and Erik Satie, among others.

‘Cosmic Dancer’ opens at the Barbican on October 7th, and will run until January 3rd, 20201.