How the Whitney Museum Brought Alvin Ailey's Legacy to Life
Briefly

Curator Adrienne Edwards designed the exhibition "Edges of Ailey," the first dedicated to choreographer Alvin Ailey, to explore how dance can be presented in an art context. Open until February 9 at the Whitney Museum, it features large-scale video displays of Ailey's iconic moments juxtaposed with artwork from prominent Black artists. This approach, informed by Ailey's love for water, aims to draw both new and longtime fans into his world, emphasizing the importance of scale and presentation in conveying his artistic spirit.
"I just didn't think little monitors would work," she says. "Oftentimes, these videos are put on small screens or we rely on photographs..."
Edwards introduced large-scale video displays to match Ailey's work's cinematic feel; she believed that scale and presentation were key to honoring his legacy.
The exhibition also showcases sculptures and artwork from prominent Black artists, creating a dialogue between Ailey's choreography and their visual expressions.
The concept of 'islands' throughout the exhibit is inspired by Ailey's love of water, reflecting both a thematic and visual connection to his work.
Read at Architectural Digest
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