Deep in the depths of the Rozsa gallery, there lie photographs which tell a story of dance. “The Dancer Within” is a collection of 48 color and black-and-white photographs by Rose Eichenbaum that come from the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. The exhibition will travel throughout North America through 2010. Eichenbaum wrote the book titled, “The Dancer Within – Intimate Conversations with Great Dancers (2008)” and includes the same pictures that are in the gallery as well as interviews with the subjects of the photos. Eichenbaum holds a Bachelors degree in Ethnic Arts/Dance and a Master’s in dance from UCLA. Eichenbaum has received awards for her photography including The Sydney Taylor Book Award for her photography in the book “The Number on my Grandmothers Arm.”
The photographs are followed by captions of small quotes from the dancers/choreographers who were interviewed. Under a picture of Anna Sokolow (a well known dancer and choreographer) she is quoted saying, “Creativity cannot be described. It can only be shown.” Ann Reinking (American actor, dancer, and choreographer) is quoted, “Art is not science. There are no laws, no absolute patterns, and no formulas. The only sure thing about creativity and individual expression are that they are purely human.” The art of dance is portrayed through the photographs as a great manifestation of the spirits of many individuals.
The exhibit will be open in the Rozsa Gallery (down the stairs) until November 22nd. It is free and open to the public Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. The exhibit will also be open two hours before evening events at the Rozsa. For more information contact the Rozsa Center at www.rozsa.mtu.edu or (906) 487 -3200.