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Glacial Decoy Overview

Jun 11, 2025

Overview

"Glacial Decoy" is a dance work choreographed by Trisha Brown and premiered in 1979, notable for its collaborative visual design by Robert Rauschenberg and its innovative staging with a quartet of women dancers.

Work Description and Structure

  • "Glacial Decoy" features a quartet of women dancers who move in sliding patterns across the stage.
  • The illusionary effect is heightened by the entry of a fifth dancer near the end of the piece.
  • The dance is accompanied by ambient sound throughout its 18-minute duration.

Creative Team

  • Choreography by Trisha Brown.
  • Visual design and costumes by Robert Rauschenberg.
  • Lighting design by Beverly Emmons.

Performance Details

  • Original cast: Trisha Brown, Elizabeth Garren, Lisa Kraus, and Nina Lundborg.
  • Performed by four dancers.
  • U.S. premiere: Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN, May 7, 1979.
  • New York premiere: Marymount Manhattan College, New York, NY, June 30, 1979.
  • World premiere: Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, France, November 7, 1979.

Notable Collaborations and Context

  • The visual and costume design by Robert Rauschenberg contributed to the distinctive aesthetic of the piece.
  • The work is referenced in Teicher, Hendel’s "Trisha Brown: Dance and Art in Dialogue, 1961-2001."

Related Works

  • "Opal Loop / Cloud Installation #72503" (1980) and "Splang" (1978) are noted as adjacent works in the TBDC repertory.

Contact and Further Information

  • Trisha Brown Dance Company is based at 315 W. 39th Street, Studio 908, New York, NY 10018.
  • Additional information and engagement opportunities are available on their website and social media platforms.