Punk-era dance genius Michael Clark, "Nijinsky with a mohawk," returns.

In the wake of dance legend Merce Cunningham's passing, BB pal Richard Metzger says he's happy to learn that "punk" ballet dancer and choreographer, Michael Clark has been creating new work. Metzger points to some amazing archival video of Clark's work from the '80s, including the embed above, choreography to accompany music from the UK band The Fall. Snip:

I followed Michael Clark's career closely in the 1980s and early 90s and was always curious about what had happened to him. Back then, Clark seemed touched by the gods. His angular, asymmetrical, yet bizarrely graceful form of movement caused a sensation in the dance world. On a trip to London I caught an astonishing performance of I am Curious, Orange, his ballet conceived around the music of The Fall, who played live while Clark and his company danced. I was completely and utterly floored. It was one of the best things I've ever seen. I thought Clark was a genius. Nijinksy with a mohawk.

HAIL THE NEW PURITAN: THE RETURN OF MICHAEL CLARK (Dangerous Minds)

[Anonymous August 11, 2009 10:56 AM]

The entirety of Hail the New Puritan was up at youtube at one point before being taken down by an overpriced video art dealer.

The Fall is an amazing band and while their music for this period isn't their best, the dance pieces/videos are amazing. I wish more bands would do innovative collaborations like this these days. The most recent dance/music/art collaboration that has gotten me as excited as the MC/Fall is the Major Lazer video.

[thequickbrownfox August 11, 2009 11:30 AM]

Michael Clark dances in the video for Scritti Politti's Wood Beez (Pray like Aretha Franklin)

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoID=1283464716

[jawsy August 11, 2009 12:01 PM]

I would have loved to have seen I am Curious, Orange. Brix Smith skip-kicking behind a fork and knife and then riding a hamburger? Heinz Baked Beans? Amazing choreography? The Fall? I'm sold on how awesome this must have been just by this clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CWf1FwwePw

[Keeper of the Lantern August 11, 2009 12:25 PM]

Waitaminute...that's not Klaus Nomi, dammit...it's some kind of dancing imposter....

[Tim Etchells August 11, 2009 2:10 PM]

Long interview with Michael looking back on his work in Sunday's Observer.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2009/aug/09/interview-michael-clark-ballet-dancer