Vision for the Future

As my text specifically concerns the dance world, it would best be placed within the context of an archival library devoted to the study of dance. One such library already exists in Massachusetts, the Jacob’s Pillow Archives at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Center in the Berkshires. The Jacob’s Pillow Archives are located in the historic Blake’s Barn on the Jacob’s Pillow grounds and contain thousands of historical documents and videos relating to modern dance. This collection would be the ideal place for my document for a variety of reasons. First, the collection focuses on the history of modern dance in the United States; and thus, it contains the necessary materials to contextualize Fokine’s figures, and to illustrate how his work has influenced the current modern dance movement. Additionally, the library places an emphasis upon a multimedia preservation of art – containing documents and books relating to modern dance as well as an extensive video collection. From my personal experience in visiting this archive, the different medias were integrated in that on the shelves textual documents were grouped with video recordings according to the choreographer. Thus, both text and video were used together to frame the work of the choreographer. As videos of Le Dieu Bleu exist alongside Fokine’s text, this is the perfect way in which to preserve and present his choreography moving into the future. The library houses physical copies in the Archives, which are open to the public, but also provides scans of the documents on their website, meaning that the text would be preserved and accessible across multiple platforms as well. Finally, I believe that in placing this text in a library solely focused on the study of dance, it will best help preserve the work. Unfortunately, as the study of dance remains to be a relatively niche field of interest, Fokine’s figures may be sidelined in a general library, or even moved to a depository in order to make room for other items. However, in a dance library, which is visited by dancers and dance-scholars from around the world, the text will receive the focus and attention that it is due. By placing the work as the focal point of a focused collection, it will receive the necessary attention to ensure that the piece is preserved for generations to come.