The Center for Ballet and the Arts at NYU (CBA), the first-ever international research institute for scholars and artists of ballet and its related arts and sciences, will present The Kirstein Diaries, the latest in its Lincoln Kirstein Lecture series, on May 7, 2019. In this collaboration with The Museum of Modern Art, in conjunction with their exhibition Lincoln Kirstein’s Modern (on view through June 15, 2019), Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director of The Public Theater, will deliver a reading of excerpts from Lincoln Kirstein’s diaries. A conversation among leading thinkers in the fields of art, dance, and letters will follow to shed light on the diaries’ most salient themes.
The event is part of CBA’s Spring 2019 public programming, designed to illuminate and expand our understanding of dance. Presented in partnership with major cultural institutions, CBA’s programming attracts a broad audience and encourages dialogue across industries and disciplines.
Spring 2019 public programming includes (past and present):
● Songs of Bukovina: A Conversation with Alexei Ratmansky – March 4, 2019
In celebration of his 10th anniversary as Artist in Residence at American Ballet Theatre, Alexei Ratmansky joined scholars and artists in a special conversation that situated his recent work, Songs of Bukovina, within its cultural and political contexts. This event was co-presented with American Ballet Theatre, Lincoln Center, and NYU’s Remarque Institute.
● Afternoon of a Faun: Nijinsky, Robbins, and Antiquity – March 25, 2019
In conjunction with the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World at NYU’s upcoming exhibition, Hymn to Apollo: The Ancient World and the Ballets Russes (on view March 6–June 2, 2019), this event will explore Afternoon of a Faun in three parts – its classical roots, Nijinsky’s Faun, and Robbins’ Faun. The evening will include a screening of Nijinsky’s work and a live performance of the Robbins ballet featuring New York City Ballet dancers Lauren Lovette (CBA ’18) and Joseph Gordon.
● After Merce: Choreographers Responding to Cunningham’s Practices – April 30, 2019
As a part of the Merce Cunningham Centenary festivities taking place throughout 2019, this conversation with Claire Bishop, Rashaun Mitchell, and others will explore what it means to preserve a choreographer’s archive and legacy. This program is co-presented with NYU Skirball, expanding upon their separate event, Cunningham Centennial: Conversations with Merce.
“The Center’s public events are a critical part of its mission,” stated Jennifer Homans, Founder and Director of The Center for Ballet and the Arts. “By bringing together artists and scholars from diverse disciplines, CBA brings fresh perspectives and insights to the field of dance.”
Tickets for The Kirstein Diaries will be available beginning on April 7. To RSVP, please visit https://www.moma.org/calendar/events/5423. For more information about CBA’s other programming, please visit balletcenter.nyu.edu/events.
About The Center for Ballet and the Arts at New York University
The Center for Ballet and the Arts at New York University is an international research institute for scholars and artists of ballet and its related arts and sciences. It exists to inspire new ideas and new ballets, expanding the way we think about the art form’s history, practice, and performance in the 21st century.
The Center is made possible by founding and ongoing support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and New York University and additional support from American Express, The Charles H. Revson Foundation, Fishman Family Fund, an advised fund of the Brooklyn Community Foundation, Merce Cunningham Trust, Stavros Niarchos Foundation, and The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation. We also extend a special thanks to individual members of CBA’s Center Circle for their essential support.
For more information, please visit balletcenter.nyu.edu.
