It is not universally known that before the iconic modern dance icons Isadora Duncan, Ruth St. Denis, and Martha Graham, there was Loïe Fuller, a dancer who used material and theatrical lighting to create a totally new and unique art form that has inspired a generation of artists in many genres. This full-length, Grand Jury Nominee at Doc NYC documentary, Obsessed With Light will have its Los Angeles premiere on December 20, 2024 at the Nuart Theater in Los Angeles. Directed by: Sabine Krayenbühl and Zeva Oelbaum, this priceless documentary film offers rare footage, photographs and drawings of Fuller performing as well as footage of works by artists who recognized her genius. This is a must see for all dancers who are interested in the dance artists who paved the way for them to do what they do. The running time for Obsessed With Light is 92 mins.
Loïe Fuller Flower Portrait, courtesy of Foundry Communications.
Marie Louise Fuller was born on January 15, 1862, on a small farm in /Fullersburg (Hinsdale), Illinois to talented parents. Her father was a skilled fiddler and dance caller, and Fuller’s mother had aspirations of becoming an opera singer. Supported by her parents, Fuller began her career as an actress at the age of fourteen. To sound more exciting or fashionable, she changed her name to Loïe Fuller at age sixteen. She never received formal dance training and she did not have the typical dancers body, but Fuller was very talented, musical and agile.
The work that began Fuller’s rise to fame was titled The Serpentine Dance which premiered at the New York Casino as an entr’acte in the comedy Uncle Celestin. The material for this dance was inspired by the elaborately embroidered saris worn by the Nautch Girls of India who made their living by entertaining at parties, weddings, christenings, religious ceremonies, and other social events.
Annabelle Moore – Serpentine dancer – Photo courtesy of Foundry Communications.
Not finding an audience in America, Fuller moved to Europe. It was following a performance at the 1900 Exposition Universelle, aka the Paris World’s Fair, that she soon found herself the toast of Europe. Fuller was short and rather plump, but audiences were enthralled with her work due to her unique use of fabric and theatrical lighting that not only helped to disguise her physical flaws, but created a moving vision never before seen.
“I retain one vibrant image from the Exposition…Mme Loïe Fuller…the dancer who created the phantom of an era.” Jean Cocteau.
Referring to Fuller’s work, dancer and choreographer Bill T. Jones said that she created work where the body was secondary and that for him, her interest in technology made her a modernist.
In Obsessed With Light, Lighting Designer Jennifer Tipton speaks to how Fuller was ahead of her time in the way she used light to reflect off her costumes. Director Robert Wilson talks about how Fuller was ahead of her time and wondered how she managed to utilize lighting during a time when the equipment was not as sophisticated as it is now. There are insightful interviews with Puppeteer/designer/director Basil Twist, Broadway producer/artist Jordan Roth; Netherlands Fashion designer Iris Van Herpen; Canadian painter Marcel Dzama; Spanish dancer/choreographer Maite Marcos; Iceland artist Elin Hansdottir; Founder/artistic director of MOMIX Moses Pendleton, and others about how the work of Fuller inspired and encouraged them to expand past their own creative boundaries.
Loïe Fuller – Film still courtesy of Foundry Communications.
There is amazing and beautiful film footage of choreographers whose work was influenced by Fuller. Choreographers such as Polish dancer/performance artist Ola Maciejewska, American dancer/choreographer Trajal Harrell, and of course, the American choreographer Jody Sperling whose company Time Lapse Dance was heavily inspired by Fuller.
Artist friends of Fuller included the French Sculptor Rodin Auguste who encouraged her to continue and it was through her friendship with Maria Curie that Fuller learned about the salts used in creating x-rays. Fuller discovered a method to utilize these salts to cause parts of her costumes to glow in the dark.
Although she was very famous and her work was sought after throughout Europe, Africa, and elsewhere, Fuller was always in debt and threatened by her creditors to pay up or else they would be forced to take legal action. This caused her concern, but it did not deter her in the least and she continued to create new works and tour with her company of young, dedicated dancers.
Stack up sideshot – Photo by Ashley Garrett, courtesy of Foundry Communications.
Interesting fact: Fuller befriended Isadora Duncan and helped her get work. Once famous, Duncan denied that she ever knew Loïe Fuller.
We hear historical and inside information about how it was to work and tour with Fuller from one of the Loïe Fuller company members Gladys Briggs and the words of Fuller’s life partner and business manager, Gab Bloch.
Loïe Fuller not only inspired choreographers for years after she died in Paris at the age of 65, but her spinning images have been captured by sculptors, painters and dress designers. There is so much information and wisdom packed into this 92 minute documentary that audiences will want to see it again and again to absorb it all. Do not miss this incredible documentary!
“Obsessed With Light” poster courtesy of Foundry Communications.
Credits for Obsessed With Light (2023)
Directed by: Sabine Krayenbühl, Zeva Oelbaum
Produced by: Zeva Oelbaum, Sabine Krayenbühl
Co-Produced by: Christian Popp
Executive Produced by: Elizabeth Rodriguez Chandler, Ruedi Gerber,
Denise Benmosche, Susan Margolin
Loie Fuller Voiced by Cherry Jones
Genre: Documentary
RT: 92 minutes
Obsession With Light premiers on December 20, 2024 at the Landmark Nuart Theater located at 11272 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025.
Written by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: Jody Sperling – Film still courtesy of Foundry Communications.
