Yvonne Rainer was born in San Francisco, California, in the year 1934, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey that would span multiple decades and various artistic mediums. She went on to train as a modern dancer in New York, a city that would become a hub for her creative endeavors.
In 1960, Rainer began to choreograph her own work, a milestone that would set her on a path towards establishing herself as a pioneering figure in modern dance. Her contributions to the art form were further solidified when she co-founded the Judson Dance Theater in 1962, a movement that would have a profound impact on the development of modern dance in the decades that followed.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Rainer presented her choreography throughout the United States and Europe, showcasing her unique style and artistic vision to audiences across the continent. Her work during this period was characterized by a commitment to experimentation and innovation, as she pushed the boundaries of what was possible in dance.
In the early 2000s, Rainer returned to dance via commissions from the Baryshnikov Dance Foundation, resulting in the creation of a 35-minute piece called After Many a Summer Dies the Swan. This work marked a new chapter in her career, as she once again brought her distinctive perspective to the world of dance.
In addition to her work in dance, Rainer has also made significant contributions to the world of film. Since 1972, she has completed seven feature-length films, including Lives of Performers, The Man Who Envied Women, Privilege, and MURDER and murder. These films have been recognized for their innovative storytelling and visual style, cementing Rainer's reputation as a versatile and accomplished artist.
Throughout her career, Rainer has received numerous awards and fellowships for her work, including two Guggenheim Fellowships, three Rockefeller Fellowships, a MacArthur Fellowship, and a Wexner Prize, among others. She has also been recognized with four Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts Degrees, a testament to her enduring impact on the world of art and culture.
Rainer's written work has been published in several volumes, including Yvonne Rainer: Work 1961-73, The Films of Yvonne Rainer, and A Woman Who...: Essays, Interviews, Scripts. Her latest choreographic work, based on Balanchine's AGON, was presented at Dance Theater Workshop in 2006, and her memoir, Feelings are Facts: A Life, was published by MIT Press in the same year.
