Michael Clark's Punk Ballet Explored Through Artist Collaborations at Barbican Exhibition

Michael Clark: Cosmic Dancer at London's Barbican is the first significant showcase of the famed British choreographer, seen through the eyes of his artistic collaborators. This exhibition will be open until January 3, 2021. Featured is Charles Atlas's video installation, A Prune Twin (2020), which mixes clips from Clark's early works, Hail the New Puritan (1985–86) and Because We Must (1989), set against the punk scene of 1980s London. Atlas first encountered Clark in 1982 while in New York. The display includes a Film Archive that emphasizes television's impact on Clark's ascent, featuring Wrong (1989) from ITV’s South Bank Show during the AIDS crisis. Additionally, it showcases music videos by Cerith Wyn Evans, sculptures by Sarah Lucas, costumes by Leigh Bowery, and portraits by Elizabeth Peyton. The Barbican’s unique architecture amplifies the exhibition's punk vibe with darkened areas and multiple screens displaying Atlas's work, all accompanied by tracks like Velvet Underground's 'Venus In Furs' (1967). This exhibition is part of the venue's ongoing exploration of dance, following previous shows featuring Laurie Anderson and others.