Neil Greenberg will discuss the installation he’s created around video documentation of his 1995 choreography, The Disco Project, shown for the first time in a gallery context at the invitation of Greene Naftali. The work is featured in the group exhibition From Disco to Disco, on view through February 27. Greenberg will contextualize the installation by showing video excerpts from his body of work, and will examine inter- and transdisciplinary issues of this project in conversation with the gallery’s founder, Carol Greene, and choreographer Sarah Michelson. Together they will consider: “why disco now?”

The Disco Project follows Not-About-AIDS-Dance (1994) in the progression of Greenberg’s work, both employing projected text that provides nonfictional information about the lives of the performers. Created in the 1990s, AIDS played an inescapable role in the text of both works. Fast-forward to today and COVID-19, which can be seen to reverberate with the AIDS crisis; considering the pandemics together raises comparisons between the reception with which each has been met (for instance: no Operation Warp Speed for an HIV vaccine, still).

Neil Greenberg came to New York from Minnesota in 1976 and danced with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company from 1979-1986. He is known especially for his “Not-About-AIDS-Dance,” which employs his signature use of projected text as a layering strategy that provides doors into “meanings” in the dance, while also raising questions about the nature of meaning-making. He has received a Guggenheim Fellowship and two Bessie Awards, repeated fellowships from the NEA and NYFA, a fellowship from the Foundation for Contemporary Arts, a NDP Production grant, a Doris Duke Creative Exploration Award, and repeated support from the MAP Fund and NYSCA. He has created two works for Mikhail Baryshnikov’s White Oak Dance Project. Greenberg is currently a Professor of Choreography at Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts, The New School, and has previously taught at Purchase College, Sarah Lawrence College, and UC Riverside. He served as dance curator at The Kitchen from 1995-1999.

Carol Greene is an American art dealer and founder of Greene Naftali. She was born and raised in Quincy, Massachusetts, and received a B.A. from Harvard University. After college, Greene moved to New York City, where she began working at John Good Gallery in SoHo. In 1995, she opened Greene Naftali. In addition to her gallery, she is involved in a number of arts organizations, including Artists Space, where she serves on the board of directors. Greene lives in New York City with her partner, artist Craig Kalpakjian.

Sarah Michelson is a British choreographer and dancer who lives and works in New York City. She has admired Neil's work since moving to NYC in the early nineties.

Organized by Neil Greenberg.

This event is part of BORDER AS METHOD, a virtual, public-facing event series featuring artists, curators, activists, and scholars across the world focused on the making and unmaking of art under conditions of exile or forced migration, or from areas where travel is prohibited or difficult. Hosted by faculty from the Department of the Arts at Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts at The New School. All events are free and open to the public, but prior registration is required.

Eugene Lang College is committed to ensuring that our programs are accessible to and inclusive of all. Please let us know when registering if you need any additional accommodations.

Zoom link will be sent in advance of the event.