Sarah Michelson: /\ March 2020 (4pb)

For nearly 20 years, the Walker has sustained a close relationship with the New York–based choreographer Sarah Michelson (UK, b. 1964), whose performances have been presented here onstage and at sites across the campus, in indoor and outdoor locations. Michelson has been creating dances since the early 1990s, which she has referred to as “‘studio work,’ to look at and be with, constructed in this time for this time—an attempt to stay fresh and work hard, but invite no celebration, no opinion, no success.” Her performances have attempted to explore the nature of dance itself, both as an art form and as physical, intellectual, and emotional labor.

Michelson’s previous presentations at the Walker have included the commissioned performances Daylight (for Minneapolis) (2005), Devotion (2011), and tournamento (2015) as well as October2018/\ (2018), which focused on themes of aging, pleasure, and sacrifice and also informed the creation of her new work featured in this exhibition. Built for a gallery space and made specifically for the Walker, /\ March 2020 (4pb) (2020) is the artist’s first object-based work. This exhibition marks the premiere of the new installation, now part of the Walker’s collection, and represents Michelson’s first museum acquisition to date. Contains mature content.