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Recognition and Awards

Honors & Awards

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  • 2010 Media Fellow, Stanford University

  • ---- Visiting Research Fellow, University of Chichester, UK

  • 2008 FIRST Scholar, University of Colorado at Boulder

  • 2005-2006 Humanities Institute Fellowship, SUNY/Buffalo

  • ---- Visiting Research Fellowship, University of Chichester, UK

  • 2005 17th Annual Praemium Imperiale, International Prize for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts awarded to Merce Cunningham for film (selected titles by Elliot Caplan)

  • 1999-2000 Emmy Award, Outstanding Cultural Programming, National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences

  • ---- George Foster Peabody Award, for PBS EGG The Art Show

  • 2000 Cine Golden Eagle Award, Outstanding Cultural Series for PBS

  • 1997 National Theater Festival, for Allee der Kosmonauten with choreographer Sasha Waltz

  • ---- BAM, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Elliot Caplan first artist invited to construct on-site installation.

  • 1996 Gold Award, Dance On Camera Festival, Best Documentary, Lincoln Center, New York, for the film CRWDSPCR

  • ---- Berliner Theatertreffen, for Allee der Kosmonauten with choreographer Sasha Waltz

  • 1995 Best Documentary, Lincoln Center Walter Reade, for the film Cage/Cunningham

  • ---- Bessie Award, Best New Video Work, for Beach Birds Installation

  • 1994 Grand Prix International Video Danse, for the film Beach Birds for Camera

  • ---- The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh, PA, Elliot Caplan selected as first American filmmaker to screen work.

  • 1993 Categorie Captation de Spectacle Prix Academie des Beaux Arts, Stockholm, Sweden, for Beach Birds for Camera

  • ---- Grand Prize, New York Dance on Camera Festival for the film Beach Birds for Camera

  • ---- IMZ Dance Screen Award Grand Prix, Frankfurt, Germany, for Beach Birds for Camera

  • ---- Prague D'or, 30th International Television Festival, Czech Republic, for the film Points In Space commissioned by BBC-Television

  • 1992 IMZ Dance Screen Award, Best Documentary, Vienna, for the film Cage/Cunningham

  • ---- New York Times Critics Choice for Cage/Cunningham

  • 1990 New York Times Critics Choice for the film Changing Steps

  • ---- Gold Award Dance On Camera Festival for Changing Steps

  • ---- 2nd Grand Prix International Video-Danse Festival, France, for Changing Steps

  • ---- Gold Award Dance On Camera Festival, New York, for Changing Steps

  • Artist Robert R. Zakanitch and his canvas

    1987 Chicago International Film Festival for Robert S. Zakanitch, the documentary art film on painter Robert S. Zakanitch

  • ---- International Art Film Biennale at Centre George Pompidou, Paris, for Robert S. Zakanitch

  • 1983 Finalist, American Film Festival, for Deli Commedia

  • ---- Best Film, Kenyon International Film Festival, for Robert S. Zakanitch

  • ---- Best Film, Baltimore International Film Festival, for Robert S. Zakanitch

  • ---- Best Film, Movies on a Shoestring, Rochester International Festival, for Robert S. Zakanitch

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Permanent Collections

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Film and video retrospectives have been presented in Portugal, Holland, Japan and the United States. Caplan's work is also in a number of permanent collections including:

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  • Museum of Modern Art, New York, 1983, 1993, 2014

  • The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2007

  • Musee National d'Art Moderne, Centre George Pompidou, 1986

  • Cinematheque Francais, Paris, 1983, 1991, 1993

  • National Institute of the Arts, Taiwan, 1996

  • Tanzfilm Institute, 1987

  • Munich Filmmuseum, 1993

  • Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Israel, 1995

  • Instituto Itaú Cultural, Brazil, 1999

 

Press Selects / Showings

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  • Anthology Film Archives, New York, "Merce Cunningham Centennial", April 8 - June 10, 2019.

  • Channel on the High Line, The High Line, New York, NY, “Merce Cunningham: For Camera",  January 3 - March 6, 2019

  • New York Times, Critics Notebook, “A Performance Onstage Returns Anew on the Screen, ‘Live From Lincoln Center’ to Air ‘Curtain Up’”, by Alastair Macaulay, December 11, 2014

  • The New Yorker, “New Again/ American Ballet’s Young Faces, Live at Lincoln Center”, by Joan Acocella, December 15, 2014

  • The New Yorker, Onward and Upward with The Arts, “Searching for Silence, What John Cage Heard”, by Alex Ross, October 4, 2010

  • Fanfare Magazine, Shamayim by Peter Rabinowitz, Sept/Oct. 2010

  • American Record Guide, Shamayim, by Rob Haskins, May/June 2010

  • New York Times, Critics Pick, “The Week Ahead” by Claudia LaRocco, Arts & Leisure, Sunday, March 7, 2010

  • Time Out New York Critics Pick, Oct, Dec., 2009 Feb. March 2010

  • Dance Studio Life, “Now You See It, Now You Don't”, by David Favrot, February 2010

  • DanceViewTimes, “Every Moment Matters”, by George Jackson, January 31, 2010 at danceviewtimes.com

  • The Washington Post Magazine, Movies, Critics Pick, “A Dance Double Feature”, by Ann Hornaday, Sunday, January 3, 2010, pg. 41

  • Ballet Magazine, Critical Dance, "15 Days of Dance: The Making of 'Ghost Light'" by Elliot Caplan, Days 12 & 13, by Carmel Morgan, January 31, 2010 -- National Gallery of Art, East Building Concourse Auditorium, Washington, D.C.

  • New York Times, “Putting It Together and Filming It, Arts & Culture, Aspiring Filmmakers, website, 2009 - 2010

  • New York Times, “Light, Birds, Action! Cunningham and Company in Rehearsal” by Alistair Macaulay, November 4, 2009

  • New York Times, “Putting It Together and Filming It”, by Gia Kourlas, Arts & Leisure Section, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2009

  • Los Angeles Times, Arts/Culture Monster, “Friends and colleagues recall Merce Cunningham”, July 27, 2009 with Mikhail Baryshnikov, Trisha Brown, Kevin McKenzie, Elliot Caplan and Mark Morris

  • Yahoo News, “Choreographer Merce Cunningham dies at 90”, July 27, 2009

  • Time Out New York Sept. 5, 2009, Cage/Cunningham screening St. Marks Church for John Cage Birthday

  • The Wall Street Journal /Leisure & Arts, “A Choreographer Worth Watching,” by Robert Greskovic, Saturday-Sunday. March 31-April 1, 2007

  • New York Times, “Shelving the Snow Globes in Favor of an Inward Look,” by Roslyn Sulcas, March 4, 2007

  • Artvoice, “See You There,” AV Pick/AV This Week, The Poetics Movement, May 27 & June 2, 2005

  • New York Sun, “The Forgiving Medium,” by Pia Catton, January 11, 2005

  • New York Times, Westchester Weekly Desk | January 19, 2003, Times Select Content, “Footlights,” by Roberta Hershenson

  • Arts, Fall/Winter 2003, “Filmmaker Elliot Caplan Visits the Dance Program”

  • Independent Film Quarterly, Issue 3, Fall 2002, “Utango,” by Elliot Caplan

  • Colorado Daily, “A Top Producer,” July 12-14, 2002

  • New York Times, “TV Review: Merce Cunningham: A Lifetime In Dance,” by Jennifer Dunning, December 15, 2001

  • Time Out, The Week in View, “Critics Choice/Television,” July 30-August 6, 2001

  • La Nacion, “El Video, motor para la danza,” by Silvia Gsell, July 16, 1999

  • O Estado De S. Paulo, “Filmes de Elliot Caplan trazem a danca vista pela lente da videoarte,” by Ana Weiss, June 25 1999

  • The New York Times, The Arts/ Dance Notes: “No Filmmaker at Cunningham,” by Jennifer Dunning, February 12, 1998

  • Le Monde, “La Merce Cunningham Dance Company triomphe a Garnier avec Pond Way, en creation mondiale,” by Dominique Frétard, January 17, 1998

  • Die Deutsche Bühne, Nr. 1, 1998, “Meteorologie für Streicher, Videos und Garderobiere,” by Detlef Brandenburg, January 1998

  • Theater Rundschau, Nr. 1, 1998, “Portrait/Michael Gordon – Elliot Caplan,” January 1998

  • Fono Forum, “Wechselhaft,” by Michael Struck-Schloen, February 1998

  • Frankfurter Rundschau, “Moderator of the Arts: In Between Painting, Stage and New Media: The American Video Artist Elliot Caplan,” by Arnd Wesemann, February 28, 1998

  • Ballet International, “Elliot Caplan Portrait,” by Arnd Wesemann, April 1998

  • Salt Lake Tribune, Arts & Entertainment, “Who’s Experimenting in the Sundance Lab” by Scott Rivers, October 2, 1998

  • Allgemeine Zeitung Mainz, “Poesie des Orkans,” by Thilo Beu, December 1, 1997

  • Elliot Caplan & Bernard McWilliams shooting in Paris for Hidden Things.
    photo by Eric Tischler

    Wormser Zeitung, “Poesie des Orkans,” by Thilo Beu, December 1, 1997

  • Bonner General-Anzeiger, “Wenn Streicher gegen Sirenen ankämpfen,” by Bernhard Hartmann, November 29, 1997

  • Bonner Rundschau, “Gewitter der Sinne,” by Von H.D. Terschüren, November 29, 1997

  • Kreiszeitung Böblinger Bote, “Video-Oper Elektronisches Gewitter,” by DPA, November 29, 1997

  • Südwest Presse Schwäbische Donau Zeitung, “Video-Oper Elektronisches Gewitter,” by DPA, November 29, 1997

  • NWZ Göppinger Kreisnachrichten, “Video-Oper Elektronisches Gewitter,” by DPA, November 29, 1997

  • Geislinger Zeitung, “Video-Oper Elektronisches Gewitter,” by DPA, November 29, 1997

  • Die Welt, “Ein Adventskalender gibt Polarjacken aus,” by Detlef Gojowy, November 29, 1997

  • Kölner Stadtanzeiger, “Blätter im Wind,” by Michael Struck-Schloen, November 29, 1997

  • Meinerzhagener Zeitung, “Kerzfilme und Musik,” by Pedro Obiera, November 29, 1997

  • Osnabrücker Zeitung, “Eine stürmische Bilderflut,” by Pedro Obiera, November 29, 1997

  • Reutlinger General-Anzeiger, “Wie ein Gewitterregen,” by Dieter Lechner, November 29, 1997

  • Schwarzwälder Bote, “Streicherklang mit Nervensägen,” by Dieter Lechner, November 29, 1997

  • Süddeutsche Zeitung, “Nicht wetterfest,” December 1, 1997

  • Frankfurter Rundschau, “Klang & Natur Video-Oper Weather,” by Ulrich Schreiber, December 2, 1997

  • Rheinische Post, “Im Kleppermantel Video-Oper Weather von Michael Gordon und Elliot Caplan in Bonns Bundeskunsthalle uraufgeführt,” by Michael Struck-Schloen, December 2, 1997

  • NRZ Neue Ruhr Zeitung Essen, “16 Monitore, 16 Streicher Weather in Bonn uraufgeführt,” by Pedro Obiera, December 3, 1997

  • Giessener Allgemeine, “Unruhiges Wetter sparsamer Musik,” by Pedo Obiera, December 4, 1997

  • VDI Nachrichten Düsseldorf, “Das Wetter: multimedial kommentiert,” by Michael Georg Müller, December 12, 1997

  • Berliner Zeitung, “Video-Oper Weather nur ein laues Lüftchen,” by Langweiug, December 5, 1997

  • Die Welt, “Ein Adventskalender gibt Polarjacken aus,” by Detlef Gojowy, November 29, 1997

  • Dr Tagesspiegel, “Jahreszeiten-Rock,” by Gregor Schmitz-Stevens, December 5, 1997

  • Sächsische Zeitung Dresden, “Kein Lüftchen in Kyoto,” by Gottfried Blumenstein, December 9, 1997

  • Abendzeitung München, “Die vielen Temperaturen der Minimal Music,” by Roland Spiegel, December 13, 1997

  • Augsburger Allgemeine, “Windstille just für die Möwe,” by Barbara Reitter, December 15, 1997

  • Tz München, “Das Wetter,” by Barbara Welter, December 15, 1997

  • Donau Kurier Ingolstadt, “Musikalische Wetterexperimente,” by Barbara Reitter, December 16, 1997

  • Die Tageszeitung, “Artiger Knicks vorm Erhabenen ‘Weather’ von Michael Gordon und Elliot Caplan,” by Birgit Glombitza, December 19, 1997

  • Hamburger Abendblatt, “Windige Angelegenheit,” December 19, 1997

  • Hamburger Morgenpost, “Donnerwetter, Vivaldi & Video,” by Gottfried Krieger, December 19, 1997

  • Neue Musikzeitung, “Video, Violinen und das Wetter schlechthin,” December 15, 1997

  • Focus, “Gnädig gestimmter Wettergott,” December 15, 1997

  • Wall Street Journal, “The Profundity of Chance,” by Joan Acocella, October 24, 1997

  • The New York Times, “Next Wave Festival Review/Dance, From Merce Cunningham, an Esthetic Summary,” by Anna Kisselgoff, October 17, 1997

  • Financial Times, London, UK, “Crafted to Perfection,” by William Deresiewicz, September 24, 1997

  • New York Times, “An Iconoclast Accepts His Disciples' Devotions,” by Anna Kisselgoff, May 21, 1997

  • Orlando Sentinnel, “Merce Cunningham: Master of movement takes wing,” by Diane Hubbard Burns, August 31, 1997

  • Orlando Sentinel, “A Choreographer's world in still life and reel time,” by Phillip E. Bishop, August 31, 1997

  • The Observer, “Dance and film in spotlight at ACA,” by Sandi Carroll, August 29, 1997

  • News Journal, “Cunningham makes mark at arts center,” by Laura Stewart, August 28, 1997

  • News Journal, “Dancing on the edge...,” by Laura Stewart, August 24, 1997

  • The Observer, “Relationship between video & dance to be explored,” August 22, 1997

  • WochenPresse, Wirtschafts Woche, “Vincent & Video,” by Klaus Khittl, June 24, 1996

  • EC. photo by Matthew Williams

    New York Times, Cultural Desk | December 7, 1996, Times Select Content, ”Free-Spirited Progeny Of the Long Romance Between Dance and Film,” by Jennifer Dunning

  • New York Times, Weekend Desk | December 6, 1996, “Distinctive Views of Dancers,” by Anna Kisselgoff

  • New York Times, Cultural Desk | December 5, 1996, Times Select Content, “Dance Notes,” by Jennifer Dunning

  • Village Voice, “Voice Choice,” December 4-10,1996

  • Le Monde, “Liinfini Mouvement de l'immobile” (Interview with Elliot Caplan), by Anne Suquet

  • Der Standard, Kultur, Vienna, Austria, “Strategien Wider die Tücke des Objektivs,” August 10, 1995

  • New York Times, “Bessies Go to New Artists and Philip Glass,” September 18, 1995

  • New York Times, The Arts, Choreographer Gazing, photo of Elliot Caplan & David Tudor, March 13, 1994

  • Village Voice, “Tights, Camera, Action,” by Elizabeth Zimmer, August 10, 1993

  • Washington Post, “The Three C's: Cage: Peerless Partnership,” by Alan M. Kriegsman, October 26, 1992

  • Santa Fe New Mexican, “Cage/Cunningham film excites remarkable fabric of creativity,” by Ron Ramsey, December 4-10, 1992

  • Daily Variety, “October Films Sets Trio of Acquisitions,” by John Evan Frook, March 26, 1992

  • New Yorker, “Dance,” March 23, 1992

  • Ausschnitt, “Panorama A Portrait of Two Artists/ ‘Cage/Cunningham’ by Elliot Caplan,” by Debra Immergut, February 1992

  • Village Voice, “Alive and Off Center,” by Amy Taubin, December 17, 1991

  • New Yorker, “Dance/Profile,” December 16, 1991

  • New York Times, Weekend Desk | December 13, 1991, Critic's Choice/Film: “Experimenting Together,” by Jennifer Dunning

  • New York Times, Cultural Desk | December 5, 1991, Review/Film: “Homage to a Partnership In Life and in the Arts,” by Stephen Holder

  • New York Newsday, “Masters of Music, Dance,” by Janice Berman, December 4, 1991

  • New York Times, Cultural Desk | November 28, 1991, “Premiere of Documentary”

  • New York Times, Arts and Leisure Desk | March 11, 1990, Home Entertainment/Video: Fast Forward: “Finding Out If It Will Play In Peoria,” by Peter Nichols

  • East Bay Express, “The Cunningham Chronicles,” by David Gere, September 29, 1989

  • The New Yorker, “Goings On About Town: Dance/ Elliot Caplan,” September 18, 1989

  • San Francisco Examiner, “Merce Cunningham Festival,” by Allan Ulrich, September 16, 1989

  • New York Times, “Video Installations Are Making Waves in Art,” by Andy Grundberg, November 17, 1989

  • Millimeter, “Teleproduction: Behind the Small Screen/ Caplanesque Style,” by Gregory Solman, February 1998

  • New York Times, “Dancers Exploring Video's Possibilities,” by Jennifer Dunning, October 29, 1987

  • San Francisco Chronicle, “Dance/Merce at 67: Riveting Solo Captured on Film,” by Kate Regan, November 16, 1986

  • "Familiar Faces", Dancevision, by John Gruen, DanceMagazine, March 1986

  • Dance & Video, by Deidre Towers, Cunningham Dance Technique: Elementary Level, Dance Magazine, February 198

  • Cunningham Dance Technique: Elementary Level, by C.T. Bond, American Library Association, November 1985

  • TV Weekend, by John O'Connor, The New York Times, October 11, 1985

  • Home Watch, "Deli Commedia", by Joseph H. Mazo, Women's Wear Daily, Wednesday, October 9, 1985

 

Selected Books featuring the work of Elliot Caplan

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  • “Televisuality: Style, Crisis, and Authority in American Television,” by John Thornton Caldwell – Performing Arts – 1995 – 456 pages

  • “A Critical Cinema 2,” by Scott MacDonald – Performing Arts – 1992 – 476 pages

  • “Merce Cunningham: The Moderninzing of Modern Dance,” by Roger Copeland – Performing Arts – 2003 – 320 pages

  • “John Cage's Theatre Pieces: Notations and Performances,” by William Fetterman – Music – 1996 – 282 pages

  • “A Poetry of Reality: Composing with Recorded Sound,” by Norman – Music – 1998 – 192 pages

  • “Nam June Paik,” by John G. Hanhardt ; with essays by Dieter Ronte ... [et al.]. Imprint New York: Whitney Museum of American Art in association with W.W. Norton, c1982 – 143 pages

  • “Making Video Dance” by Katrina McPherson, 2006 Published by Routledge Press, UK

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