Sarah Michelson: Dance's Boundaries Shattered at MoMA

Influential choreographer Sarah Michelson is taking over the Museum of Modern Art's second-floor atrium for her new exhibition, "nowhere," running from September 15 through October 11. The exhibition delves into the fundamental question: What is a dance? Michelson, who turns 62 this month, uses the vast space to present embodied questions and philosophies, transforming the atrium into a daily performance space. This marks her return to large-scale dance after years focusing on solo work.

Michelson's career has been marked by an uncompromising artistic vision and a life filled with diverse experiences, including an accidental pyrotechnics incident in Amsterdam that resulted in a nine-month hospital stay. Her work consistently pushes the boundaries of dance, blending classical and postmodern forms with a raw, personal intensity.

"nowhere" extends beyond a typical performance, with Fridays dedicated to an open space for dancers and the public, fostering a community around dance. Michelson also champions emerging artists through a dance residency at David Zwirner, offering studio space and financial support, reflecting her commitment to nurturing the next generation. She aims to create a "dance life lived," emphasizing the present moment and the energetic transaction within the performance space.