Publications [#184152] of Andrea E. Woods Valdés
Articles
- A.E. Woods Valdés, The Presence of the Past: Reveling the Eloquence of Dancer Matt Turney, edited by Bernadine Jennings,
Attitude: The Dancer's Magazine, vol. 24 no. 2
(Summer, 2010),
pp. 61, Dance Giant Steps, 93 Montigue St, Suite 303, ISSN 0882-3472 [openurl]
(last updated on 2010/12/14)Abstract:
A tribute is presented to dancer Matt Turney, who died on December 29, 2009, at the age of 84. Turney danced with the Martha Graham Dance Company. Valdés discusses Turney's performance in "Appalachian Spring," where Turney's height is impressive, and when she does dance center stage the other characters gaze at her with a sense of comfort and awe. Turney provided an emotional and spiritual delicacy and eloquence that added dimension, added range to what a Martha Graham dancer could be. In comparison to some of the more fiery and physically dynamic dancers, Turney's willowy lyricism was at times criticized by the press. Despite an artistic relationship fraught with tension and conflict, Turney considered Graham a genius and mentor. Turney seemed to be a graceful and generous soul but not without humor, self-determination and great passion.