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The Arts Converge in New Exhibition at the Wadsworth
HARTFORD, Conn., February 19, 2009 – Artwork from one of the most significant artistic and cultural movements of the twentieth century is now on view at the Wadsworth Atheneum in a new exhibition entitled, The Ballets Russes: Celebrating the Centennial, February 19 – June 21, 2009.
Founded in Paris in 1909 by Serge Diaghilev, The Ballets Russes flourished until his death in 1929. During this 20 year time span, the Ballets Russes achieved new heights of creativity by fusing together the efforts of the greatest composers, choreographers, dancers, designers and artists of the time – including Stravinsky, Bakst, Ballanchine, Nijinsky, Picasso, Miro, de Chirico, and Matisse.
The Ballets Russes: Celebrating the Centennial presents highlights from the Wadsworth Atheneum’s unrivalled collection of costume and set designs originally purchased in 1933 from Diaghilev’s last protégé Serge Lifar. The exhibition also enlivens the company’ phenomenal history through the use of multi-media elements such as historic photographs and video footage from modern performances of the company’s most famous ballets.
“What made the Ballets Russes so novel and exciting was the combination of its extravagantly beautiful productions and thrilling dancing,” said exhibition curator, Eric Zafran. “Diaghilev never allowed the performances to be filmed, thus these vivid drawings and costumes are the closest we can get to having a feel for the original productions that so changed the course of modern dance.”
After Diaghilev's death in 1929, the company disbanded. Many of the ballets have been lost and are only known from the drawings now on view at the Wadsworth. While later companies were unable to capture the magic and creativity of the original Ballets Russes, a number of its works still continue to be preformed today such as, Petrushka, Spectre of the Rose, The Rite of Spring, Afternoon of a Faun, Apollo, and Prodigal Son.
The Ballets Russes: Celebrating the Centennial is part of a broader celebration taking place worldwide in honor of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Ballets Russes. For more information please visit www.wadsworthatheneum.org. The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art is located at 600 Main St. in Hartford, Connecticut. The Museum is open Wednesdays to Fridays, 11 am to 5 pm. and Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Museum admission is free the last Saturday of every month from 10 am – 1 pm.
Contact:
Kimberly Reynolds
Director, PR & Marketing
860-838-4055
Kimberly.reynolds@wadsworthatheneum.org
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