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Designs for Michael Clark's performances
Michael Clark was brought up on a small farm in Scotland.
When he was four he had begged to learn Scottish dancing.
He auditioned for the Royal Ballet School in Richmond Park and came to London when he was thirteen to train to be a ballet dancer. He became choreographer in residence at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith where he was given a free hand to produce his own work.
Michael did not live the normal disciplined life of a dancer but spent most of his free time drinking, smoking, taking drugs and hanging out in the London' more alternative nightclubs.
He meet Leigh Bowery in a nightclub and was immediately attracted to this large, painted person. They became the best of friends and had complete mutual respect for each other.
Michale was determined to work with Leigh not only because he respected his talent but because he enjoyed his company.
"He was charismatic and had an amazing presence, we egged each other on. It was like he was daring me, we both had similar ideas and worked off each other":
(...)
Leigh was delighted to design costumes forMichael's work.The first piece he designed for was 'Flippin 'eck Oh Thweet Mysthtery of Life ' in 1983.
The costumes leigh designed initally, reflected what he was wearing at the time. On one occassion he put the dancers in stars tops with no arm pits ( for extra movement and freshness ), hot pants, striped tights and wedged platform shoes. The dancers found then hardwork yet thrilling and comfortable to wear. It was the start of an inportant collaboration and Leigh continued to work with Michael for the next ten years
extract from the book "The Life And Times Of An Icon" by Sue Tilley
Creation date : 19/01/2007 @ 15:42
Last update : 19/01/2007 @ 15:42
Category : Fashion
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