Loie Fuller (1862-1928) was a legendary dancer who merged the stimulation of light to the stages of modern dance. Having started as a vaudeville actress, she travelled from America to Paris, where her new fusion of technical movement was warmly embraced. Although early theatrical lighting cannot be compared to today's, Loie brought life to color by illuminating light to her voluminous silk costumes. With the help of Marie Curie's discovery of radium, Fuller was able to build from that idea and create iridescent clothing from phosphorescent salt.
The hypnotic flutterings coin the sensation of illusion, architecture and vivacity. The sexuality curved in its motions brings a taste of power onstage. Although some may argue that Fuller was not the best dancer, she was definitely marveled for her usage of experimental art. Creating a new type of dance with the advancements of technology and science, Loie Fuller quickly became the voice of futurism. Her pre-cinematic performances were often subjects of early film (Edison and Lumiere Bros.), photography (Muybridge), and paintings (Cheret and Toulouse-Lautrec). She fascinated and influenced others as many artists of the late 19th century explored what is known as today, Art Nouveau.
The footage above is Danse Serpentine, which was recorded in 1896. It was later on hand-colored frame by frame to capture Fuller's mesmerization.
Jules Cheret
"From the unearthly appearance of my dances, caused by the light and mingling of colours… the being flitting about there before them among the shadows and flashes of light belongs to the unreal world."- L.F.
jeanie
