Hi I, was surprised and elated to receive a BESSIE AWARD by the New York
Dance and Theater community.
A 2000-2001 Special Citation to Dennis Diamond & Video D
For Sustained Achievement of lens and tape and electronic reconstruction, as
creator, documenter,
improviser and ultimately digital dancer-correspondent of the
history-in-progress of our community.
For unblinking eyewitness accounts of the evanescent art and detail of dance
as it happens,
a quarter century as the man-with-a camera on the stage and at the monitor
of recorded choreography as well as inseparable collaborator to a numerous
artists from Bruce Nauman, Bill Irwin, and Blue Man Group to Senta Driver,
Elizabeth Streb and the Jose Limon Dance Company.
signed by Daivd R. White and the
Awards Committee
Here were Dennis' remarks:
Dennis Diamond - Joyce Theater September 21, 2001
Speech upon receiving a Special Citation: BESSIE AWARDS 2000-2001
WOW.. I am frightened because I am used to looking at the back of audience
heads.
My friend, Senta Driver said, "You'll Come with me!" (So here I am.)
My people always begin a festive occasion with "Blessed G-d who has allowed
us to see this season. I have been involved with dance all of my life.
When I was 3 years old I was watching Fred Astaire on television and asked
my mother if I could do that. My parents, Pearl and Irwin Diamond took me
to tap dance class in Queens. My parents set the standard for my life,
which is "encouragement for doing things I believe in."
At age 7 I got my first camera, which became glued to my eye. My dance
training continued at the High School of Performing Arts and Harkness
House.
In 1976 I walked into talk to the young David R, White. I said, "I would
document
14 concerts in the fall season for one hundred dollars." I documented these
but their budget could not afford the $100.00. I figured I had to stay.
I LOVE THE DANCE.
One story: While I was archiving from the back of the old DTW I struck up a
conversation with David Gordon. David said, "There are a lot of rules in
video."
I said, "I have only one rule - DON"T DROP THE CAMERA!"
Thank you Bessie Committee for recognizing my contribution.
Thanks to the New York Public Library and the Performing Arts Division -
Madelyn Nichols, Jan Schmidt and the unseen heroes who help preserve the
material that I produce.
Let me honor the Video D Staff, (please bring up the house lights)
Please stand:
Tom Kennedy, David Quinn aka Squid, Robin Hoffman,
Theodore Striggles aka Ted, My video maven Michael P Hesse,
Irving Ziffer aka Uncle Icky, Alexander Ziffer Diamond,
and Elizabeth Barrowcliff Geiger aka Queen Honey Geiger.
I thank every dancer, choreographer, stage crew genius, and those involved
in the world of dance and theater for allowing me to enhance my craft.
(If you are wondering how I had a speech in my pocket. Every person knows
that when you go to a award ceremony ....you NEVER KNOW)
Dennis Diamond
Video D Studios Inc
29 West 21 Street NY NY 10010
(800-543-2623 212-242-3345)
dennis.videod@worldnet.att.net
videod.com
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : 01/24/02