Martha Graham: Lamentation
Yolande Yorke-Edgell and Freya Jeffs of Yorke Dance Project perform Martha Graham’s expressionist solo masterpiece Lamentation throughout the afternoon in our Noguchi Exhibition
Throughout their career-long association, Isamu Noguchi created innovative set designs that could platform Martha Graham’s ground-breaking technique, based around her founding principles of contraction and release, exploring the depth and diversity of human emotion.
Set to music by Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály, Graham herself performed Lamentation at its premiere in 1930. The dancer is encased in a tube of purple jersey with the choreography’s powerful diagonals and thrilling economy epitomising grief. Taking place among Noguchi’s indoor garden of sculptures on the lower floor of the Art Gallery, contrasting with his iconic delicate Akari lamps, the setting will be evocative of a Noguchi theatre stage design.
Performances will take place on the hour with first starting at midday and the last at 5pm. The perfomances will last roughly 10 minutes.
Anyone in the gallery on the afternoon of the 16th October is welcome to watch a performance.
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Discover
Introducing Isamu Noguchi
Assistant Curator at The Noguchi Museum in New York, Kate Wiener introduces the life and work of Japanese American sculptor, Isamu Noguchi, drawing from Noguchi’s autobiographical writings and documents from The Noguchi Museum Archives.
Art Gallery
Location
The Art Gallery is located on Level 3 and can be accessed by stairs and lifts from Level G or via the Sculpture Court if coming from outside.
Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS
Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.
We’ve plenty of places for you to relax and replenish, from coffee and cake to wood-fired pizzas and full pre-theatre menus
Access
Doors normally in open position during exhibition hours. Ticket desk 98cm with a drop section of 76cm. Step-free access on each floor of the Art Gallery.
Mobility
The Art Gallery has two levels, linked by a flight of 24 stairs with an intermediate landing. A passengeroperated lift (76 x 110cm) connects the two floors. If you need assistance, staff will be happy to help.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome. If you prefer, you may leave your dog with a member of the gallery staff during your visit.
Large-print exhibition information
To request a large print copy, please call the Art Gallery on 020 7382 2382 before your visit.
For more access information, please visit our Accessibility section.
Enhanced security measures are currently in place at the Barbican.
As part of these measures only one reasonably-sized bag (no larger than 32cm L x 18cm W x 22cm H) per person may be taken inside our venues and all bags may be searched by a member of our team.
We ask that, where possible, visitors avoid bringing large bags to the Centre. If you do need to check bags into our free cloakrooms, we suggest arriving early. All bags deposited will be subject to search and random bag searches are also in operation.
Please also remember that belongings should not be left unattended at any time.
Thank you for your understanding – we look forward to welcoming you to the Barbican.