Lincoln memorialized with dance, song, multimedia

To interpret the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln is a daunting task. To interpret his life in a dance performance — even more so.

Yet Bill T. Jones, choreographer and MacArthur Genius Grant recipient, took on the task and transformed Lincoln’s life and legacy into a heralded performance.

Jones will present his work “Fondly Do We Hope ... Fervently Do We Pray” at 8 p.m. today as the IU Auditorium’s contribution to ArtsWeek 2010.

Following the performance, Jones will host a response period with the audience to field any questions or comments about the piece. Tickets range from $13 to $33.

Doug Booher, auditorium executive director, said Jones’ work was selected because its unique perspective on Lincoln’s legacy stood out among other options.

“It’s an amazing work,” he said. “He not only delves into Lincoln as someone who ended slavery, but also his personal life; his private life. What it was like for him growing up, coming from a poor background, marrying a rich woman — all these different aspects of Lincoln’s life that combined to form Lincoln as a man.”

Maria Talbert, events manager for the auditorium, said Jones examines Lincoln not only as a president but as a man, giving a more human approach to Lincoln’s stoic nature.

“You don’t imagine him as a graceful, youthful person,” she said. “But he’s portrayed in the work — at least in the clips I saw — as being someone who’s younger and energetic and graceful.”

The ambition of Jones’ work — to present the humanity of an American legend — was not underappreciated by the artist.

In an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, Jones said he struggled to decide how to present Lincoln as performance art.

“I didn’t want to do a biopic, but for a contemporary audience, I felt I had to bring them up to speed about the man and what his ideas were,” Jones said. “Then I realized I’d given so much time to that, that I wondered what happened to making a work about the man, his legacy and his times as a mirror through which we see ourselves today. It took me a while to realize that was what I always wanted to make.”

Booher said he hopes and believes audiences will enjoy the performance, not only for its beauty, but for its thought-provoking nature.

“It’s one of those opportunities to come and witness something that’s a really beautiful art form and at the same time have what’s happening on stage raise questions in your own mind,” he said.

Talbert said from an aesthetic perspective, Jones’ piece ranks as one of the auditorium’s best offerings this year.

“It looks like such a fantastic production,” she said. “If you come to anything, come to this. It’s so outstanding.”