The Mary Wigman Book: Her Writings

The Mary Wigman Book: Her Writings is the sixth title in the seriesGARAGE DANCE, which explores modern and contemporary dance.

Mary Wigman (1886–1973) was a German dancer and choreographer, who created expressionist dance. Her original style implied the embodiment of all thoughts and feelings through dance, thanks to her belief that dance is an ecstatic manifestation of human nature, a universal language available to us from birth. She said: “Art grows out of the basic cause of existence. From there it draws its creative and constructive forces. From there it receives strength to renew, rejuvenate, transform itself. And there only is it imperishable, eternal.”

This book came about thanks to Mary Wigman’s close friend Walter Sorell, who selected and compiled chronologically her diaries, letters, and articles on dance so that the reader could trace the evolution of this important choreographer’s life as an artist and teacher.