Heidi Duckler Dance’s Legacy Committee proudly announces the acquisition of the company’s archives by the Getty Research Institute. The HDD Papers offer a comprehensive overview of the nearly four-decade career of Heidi Duckler, the renowned American director and choreographer.
The archives include paper files, slides, photographs, posters, and videos, providing scholars and researchers with a unique opportunity to explore the creation of Duckler’s site-specific performances. Her work, deeply rooted in community engagement and research, transforms unconventional spaces into stages, addressing social justice and ecological themes.
The HDD Legacy Committee includes: Ken Bernstein, Maristella Casciato, Heidi Duckler, Raymond Ejiofor, and Victor Jones.
Maristella Casciato of GRI stated, “The Getty is delighted to make the work of a unique local performer, who has expanded the cultural boundaries of modern dance, available through our archives. We are particularly interested in Heidi’s ability to unite diverse communities across cultural and historical boundaries.”
Heidi Duckler’s work has consistently emphasized diversity and the interaction between memory and space. The acquisition of her archives at the Getty offers a new interdisciplinary perspective, complementing GRI’s special collections and enhancing research into the intersections of movement, architecture, and cultural narratives.
Duckler’s archives join those of other influential choreographers at GRI, solidifying her role in shaping the cultural landscape of Los Angeles and beyond.
“I am profoundly honored that my exploration of space, movement, and community is being preserved within the Getty’s archives,” Duckler said. “This ensures that future generations will have access to the tools and methodologies that have shaped our work.”
