What does it really feel like to be at the center of a artistic revolution? Carolyn Brown's memoir Chance and Circumstance takes you backstage with the legends who transformed modern dance forever.
Brown wasn't just a spectator—she was a principal dancer with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company for two decades, from the company's cash-strapped early days traveling in VW buses to their triumphant 1964 world tour. In these pages, you'll discover the fascinating personal dynamics between the reserved, moody Merce Cunningham and the playful, ebullient John Cage. Brown's firsthand accounts reveal how these seemingly opposite personalities created a creative partnership that would change the course of 20th-century art.
Read about the company's rise from performing in small, experimental venues to achieving international acclaim. Brown chronicles the day-to-day realities of life in the avant-garde—both the struggles and the magic. You'll learn about the innovative collaborations with composer John Cage and set designer Robert Rauschenberg, and how they pushed the boundaries of what dance and art could be.
This isn't just another dance memoir; it's a living document of a pivotal era in artistic history. Brown's writing brings to life the energy, controversy, and brilliance of a time when art was being reinvented before your eyes. Whether you're a dancer, musician, visual artist, or simply someone who appreciates the creative process, Chance and Circumstance offers an invaluable window into the minds of true innovators.
Perfect for anyone who wants to understand how groundbreaking art is made and the personal relationships that fuel creative genius. This is more than a book—it's a front-row seat to history in the making.
