How to Make Dances in an Epidemic : Tracking Choreography in the Age of AIDS

David Gere, who came of age as a dance critic at the height of the AIDS epidemic, offers the first book to examine in depth the interplay of AIDS and choreography in the United States, specifically in relation to gay men. The time he writes about is one of extremes. A life-threatening medical syndrome is spreading, its transmission linked to sex. Blame is settling on gay men. What is possible in such a highly charged moment, when art and politics coincide? Gere expands the definition of choreography to analyze not only theatrical dances but also the protests conceived by ACT-UP and the NAMES Project AIDS quilt. These exist on a continuum in which dance, protest, and wrenching emotional expression have become essentially indistinguishable. Gere offers a portrait of gay male choreographers struggling to cope with AIDS and its meanings.--Publisher description Annotation David Gere, Who Came Of Age As A Dance Critic At The Height Of The Aids Epidemic, Offers The First Book To Examine The Interplay Of Aids And Choreography In The United States, Specifically In Relation To Gay Men. The Time He Writes About Is One Of Extremes. A Life-threatening Medical Syndrome Is Spreading, Its Transmission Linked To Sex. Blame Is Settling On Gay Men. What Is Possible In Such A Highly Charged Moment, When Art And Politics Coincide? Gere Expands The Definition Of Choreography To Analyze Not Only Theatrical Dances But Also Act-up Protests And The Unfurling Of The Names Project Aids Quilt. These Exist On A Continuum In Which Dance, Protest, And Wrenching Emotional Expression Have Become Essentially Indistinguishable. Gere Offers A Gripping Portrait Of Gay Male Choreographers Struggling To Cope With Aids And Its Meanings. Introduction -- Blood And Sweat -- Melancholia And Fetishes -- Monuments And Insurgencies -- Corpses And Ghosts -- Transcendence And Eroticism -- Epilogue. David Gere. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 312-332) And Index. David Gere, who came of age as a dance critic at the height of the AIDS epidemic, examines the interplay of AIDS and choreography in the United States, specifically in relation to gay men.