Edges of Ailey - Whitney Museum Review

As an artist, Alvin Ailey is a world renown modern-contemporary artist. His work is deeply rooted in African culture and modern technique. His name alone is as fundamental as Martha Graham, Josephine Baker, Eartha Kitt, Twyla Tharp, etc. Although, in my opinion, his style may not be the most intricate like say .. Mike Tylus or as mainstream as Fatmiah Robinson, his message can be heard from stages around the world. The dance is freedom, the movement is universal.

"Dance is for everybody" - Alvin Ailey.

Social diversity, equality, respect, religion, and community all seem to be very consistent topics in Ailey's pieces. This is why I found his most recent exhibit "Edges of Ailey" at the Whitney Museum to be a profound collection. When you first enter, you are immediately taken by the large scale works and the multimedia display of Ailey's company dancers dominating the scene. The array of passion can be felt through the sounds of his powerful voice surrounded by eye-catching pieces by artists like Nikki Giovanni, Benny Andrews, Alma Thomas -- to name a few. This was truly well done! The combination of mixed media along with various collections could be a bit overpowering but, for me, seeing the glass half full added a newfound appreciation for a densely saturated presentation.

My immediate thought was: "Why does it seem like Ailey is getting upstaged at his own exhibit?" To share space with historical pioneers like Katherine Dunham, Pearl Prius, and Carmen de Lavallade seems a bit crowded, perhaps overly ambitious. My attention was being pulled in so many directions, I was beginning to find the experience slightly dysfunctional.... until I found a silver-lining. The piece is called "A Study in Choreography" performed by Ailey's dancer, Talley Beatty. Choreographed by Maya Daren. Ahh!! How refreshing it was to stumble upon this work! In the heat of feeling over-stimulated, I was brought back to an inquisitive mental space while watching this gem. Neatly positioned along the wing of the museum, I tuned out the world and entered another place in time. With the option to enjoy with or without headphone, the encounter of this experience was a completely up to you. I, on the other hand, chose to experience it with headphones.

The heart-beating ambiance ironically, brought me to a place of stillness. Nothing else existed, nothing made a sound, nothing needed my attention. Watching Beatty drifting effortlessly across multiple spaces posed the thought "Where to next"? Where will he go? What will he do? -- I loved how he existed simultaneously and yet independently. Simply Groundbreaking.

Talley Beatty

I’m here but I’m over there. These thoughts gave me a new appreciation for Edges of Ailey. I love the idea of being in more than one place at any given time --- not just from a physical standpoint. Ailey died more than 35 years ago and yet his movement is being felt from coast to coast. No matter what phrase you are in on your artistic journey, keep creating. Your art is an extension of your deepest thoughts, continue to share that with the world. We are forever existing in the spaces of thought. To me, Ailey reminds us to stay boundless.

Initially, I thought, the work of Alvin Ailey holds enough space to flourish without the need of complimenting artists but, now I believe the overall message of unity through dance was presented well. To share space doesn't always bridge confusion, if anything, it opens our minds to a new way of existing. Although, I only visited this exhibit once, a collection of this magnitude deserves additional viewings to truly digest the creative vision.

Some aspects of Ailey can seem redundant --but I don't think this is a negative. His passion touched every corner of the space immensely and will continue to impact emerging artists around the world. Great art should evoke a response, that’s how you know your work is not only impactful but necessary. With so many layers ; spoken word, written media, movement for film, photography, etc. I have to say; I'm not only satisfied -- I am inspired.

-- Celebrate Black art 365! If you haven't had the opportunity to view this astonishing exhibit please do so! Edges of Ailey will be on display until Feb 9th 2025!

-- I do not own the right to the images in this review --

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