Alvin Ailey: Memories and Visions: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

A film with the title Alvin Ailey: Memories and Visions. It consists of two (2) reels of color 16mm polyester film. The film features dance recitals choreographed by Alvin Ailey complimented by voiceover narration by Ailey himself. The performances featured in the film include "Blues Suite,” “The Lark Ascending," "Cry," "Mary Lou's Mass," "A Song for You," "Hidden Rites," and “Revelations."

The first recital features excerpts from Ailey's first dance, "Blues Suite." He walks between the dancers on set as voiceover narration describes the influence of his black roots and blues music on his work. The second piece, a ballet called “The Lark Ascending," Ailey describes as being inspired by an eponymous musical work by Ralph Vaughn Williams. It features excerpts from two performances: a solo and a duet by Sara Yarborough and Clive Thompson. The third performance, "Mary Lou Mass," begins with a conversation between Ailey and jazz pianist Mary Lou Williams. Some of the dancers in this excerpt are dressed in religious garb.

Reel two (2) begins with a female solo performance followed by another solo performance by Dudley Williams. The next performance, "Hidden Rites," Ailey describes as a battle of the sexes. It consists of two duets, the first of which is performed by Judith Jamison and John Parks. The second performance in the piece is performed by Tina Yuan and Clive Thompson. Another piece, "Revelations" is performed by a troop of both male and female dancers wearing white costumes, set to African American spirituals.

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date: 1974
• Directed by: Stan Lathan, American, born 1945
• Subject of: Alvin Ailey, American, 1931 - 1989
• Subject of: Judith Ann Jamison, American, 1943 - 2024
• Subject of: Mary Lou Williams, American, 1910 - 1981
• Subject of: Dudley Williams, American, 1938 - 2015
• Owned by: D.C. Public Library, American, founded 1896
• Type: sound films
• Type: color films (visual works)
• Type: feature films
• Type: 16mm (photographic film size)
• Medium: polyester film
• Dimensions: Duration (Reel 1): 25 Minutes
• Dimensions: Length (Film): 900 Feet
• Dimensions: Duration (Reel 2): 28 Minutes
• Dimensions: Length (Film): 1000 Feet
• Place used: Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
• Topic: African American
• Topic: Ballet
• Topic: Dance
• Topic: Documentary films
• Topic: Film
• Topic: Jazz (Music)
• Topic: Modern dance
• Topic: Music
• Object number: 2017.55.99.1ab
• Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Transferred from the DC Public Library
• Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of African American History and Culture through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed. The underlying object's rights statement is: Restrictions likely apply. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.