Simone Forti, Leading Figure of New York’s Judson Dance Theater Scene, Has Died at 91
Simone Forti, artist, choreographer, dancer, poet, and leading figure of New York’s Judson Dance Theater scene of the 1960s, as well as an influential contributor to Minimalism and the Fluxus movement, has passed away in Los Angeles at age 91, her gallery, Raffaella Cortese, confirmed via social media today. “She was a beloved friend and mentor, whose immeasurable influence on contemporary art, performance, and dance spanned over sixty years,” stated the Milan-based gallery. “We remember her with affection, admiration, and deep gratitude, and we remain committed to carrying forward the memory of her extraordinary work.” At the Judson Dance Theater in Greenwich Village, Forti became a key figure of then-budding postmodern dance, working alongside the likes of Trisha Brown, Steve Paxton, and Yvonne Rainer. Forti, whose collaborations included working with choreographers Anna Halprin, Martha Graham, and Merce Cunningham, liked to simply describe hersel...