West Village in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Mercier (Merce) Philip Cunningham

April 16, 1919 – July 26, 2009

— 55 Bethune Street, Manhattan —

Mercier (Merce) Philip Cunningham Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 1, 2019

1. Mercier (Merce) Philip Cunningham Marker

Inscription. Merce Cunningham, the acclaimed dancer and visionary choreographer, was among the first tenants of Westbeth, moving in shortly after it opened as a living and working space for artists in 1970. From then, until his death in 2009, Cunningham taught, choreographed, and directed the Merce Cunningham Dance Company from the eleventh-floor space then known as the Merce Cunningham Studio. Of the 190 dances Cunningham choreographed during his seven-decade career, more than 80 were created at Westbeth, including Sounddance (1975), Beachbirds (1991) and BIPED (1999). Cunningham was known for his groundbreaking ideas about dance and choreography, his work in film and technology, and his collaborations with celebrated artists including John Cage, Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, and Andy Warhol. His legacy continues to influence choreographers and artists today.

Historic Landmarks Preservation Center

Medallion program created by Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel

Erected by Historic Landmarks Preservation Center.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment.

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In addition, it is included in the New York, New York City Historic Landmarks Preservation Center Cultural Medallions series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1970.

Location. 40° 44.215′ N, 74° 0.514′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in West Village. It is on Bethune Street near Washington Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 55 Bethune St, New York NY 10014, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New York City.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Westbeth Artists’ Housing (a few steps from this marker); The Davisson-Germer Experiment (a few steps from this marker); Roy Lichtenstein (within shouting distance of this marker); Jane Street

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 1, 2009

2. Westbeth

The living spaces courtyard

(about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); 82 Jane Street (about 500 feet away); LGBTQ+ Memorial (about 500 feet away); James Baldwin (about 800 feet away); Abingdon Square Park (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

More about this marker. The building is listed in the "AIA (American Institute of Architects) Guide to New York City, Fifth Edition".

Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 1, 2019

3. Mercier (Merce) Philip Cunningham Marker

and companion markers

Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 1, 2019

4. Mercier (Merce) Philip Cunningham Marker

At the 55 Bethune Street entrance. The tracks of the High Line used to run through the building to the left.

The Westbeth complex and High Line remnant image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, June 2009

5. The Westbeth complex and High Line remnant

Merce Cunningham, 1961 image. Click for full size.

from Wikipedia, May 1, 2019

6. Merce Cunningham, 1961

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 1, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 413 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 1, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.