Simone Forti, Planet, 1976, Silkscreen on paper, 50 × 70 cm, Edition of 200 plus IV AP
Courtesy of Archivio Conz, Berlin
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Performance text hand-written by the artist with a grid of four inset documentation photographs of the performance silkscreened on card paper. The work was performed by Anne Hammel, David Taylor, Terry O'Reilly, Pooh Kaye, David Appel, and Paul Langland with sound by Peter Van Riper. Photography by Peter Moore.
- Simone Forti (1935, Florence, Italy) is a pioneering figure in contemporary dance, renowned for her groundbreaking choreography and performances that reshaped the landscape of modern dance. Her family moved to Los Angeles in 1938 to escape fascism in Italy. Forti began her dance education under the tutelage of choreographer Anna Halprin in San Francisco, where she became deeply engaged in improvisational dance, drawing inspiration from natural movements and everyday activities. In the early 1960s, Forti moved to New York City, where she studied with prominent figures like Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham. During this time, she participated in Robert Dunn’s composition classes, which were influenced by John Cage’s experimental techniques. It was during this period that Forti developed her iconic "Dance Constructions," performances that integrated props and explored the relationship between movement and the surrounding space. Forti’s collaborations with avant-garde artists, including composers La Monte Young and Yoko Ono, further expanded her practice. She presented her work in influential spaces such as the Reuben Gallery and Yoko Ono's loft, contributing to the Fluxus movement, which sought to dissolve the boundaries between art and daily life. As she continued her career, Forti incorporated new elements like spoken word and animal movements into her performances, reflecting her continuous exploration of human expression. Her contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including a Bessie Award in 1995 and a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2006, underscoring her lasting impact on the dance world. Forti’s unique blend of dance, visual art, and performance has had a profound influence on contemporary art, inspiring countless artists and dancers to explore the expressive potential of movement and everyday actions.