Morleigh Steinberg is an American dancer, visual artist, filmmaker and founder / director of ARCANE Space (2017), an experimental exhibition gallery in Venice, California. Raised in Los Angeles and schooled in modern dance, the fluid relationship between her artistic disciplines contributes to her distinctive curatorial and creative vision. As a choreographer and dancer, she has toured internationally with illusionist dance company Momix, ISO Dance, and ARCANE Collective, whose work has been presented at the Guggenheim Museum, Hammer Museum, REDCAT, and venues throughout Europe.
Since 1993, she has collaborated with U2 as a creative consultant and choreographer, contributing to the groundbreaking U2 shows at Sphere, Las Vegas and she co-directed the awarding winning V-U2: An Immersive Concert Film.
Jane spoke to Morleigh ahead of her new exhibition, Dance and Eye, opening at Château La Coste on 29th August.
Shop Morleigh's Edit here
Style Notes
In your wonderfully avant garde life as a choreographer and dancer, what were your biggest inspirations and who were your mentors?
My biggest inspirations started early with exposure to a wide variety of music and art through my parents; works by Ed Ruscha, Vija Celmins, Frank Stella; music by The Beatles, Leonard Bernstein and there was of course, Martha Graham. And the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright and John Lautner. As far as mentors go… the late great photographer, David Seidner, challenged and supported me throughout my unconventional path as a young dancer. He pushed me to be brave and to read, read, read!
Was there a single performance that cemented your passion and changed your life?
Yes, definitely! I was 19 years old, living in Paris with my older sister. We took a workshop with Japanese dancer Min Tanaka and saw him perform. His performance changed my life. It moved me and brought me home to the core understanding of what dance would mean to me throughout my life.
Morleigh, photographed by David Seidner.
How does dance govern your life?
I approach all things with the understanding I gained from being a dancer and choreographer. This is my jumping off point to everything. My life has been the study of movement; how it shapes space and time. Movement governs life.
What lessons from both disciplines have you carried forward into your life today?
I have learnt that people are capable of doing extraordinary things as a result of hard work and practice. And not to be afraid to fail. Just keep going.
If you could go back and dance a particular dance you had not, what and where would that be?
I would have loved to have danced with Pina Bausch, especially in her piece, “Kontakthof”. - And, New York, in the late 1930s / early 40s would have been a great time to have been a swing dancer, dancing the Lindy Hop.
Tanztheater Wuppertal perform Pina Bausch’s “Kontakthof" at Sadler’s Wells, 2nd February 2014. Photo: Richard Lipman / Alamy
Stillness or madness?
Stillness - a lot comes out of it!
What is your relationship to objects and by that, I mean possessions?
I treasure experience more than possessions. My relationship to possessions has changed especially since the LA fires. Fortunately, we did not lose our home, but it has been colossal dealing with the remediation of our possessions. We are still not back in our home. It’s actually been quite liberating not having too many things. What I do have, I am grateful for. I can honestly say I don’t like having a lot of “stuff”. Too many “things” can make me feel anxious.
Do you collect in abundance or at a minimum?
I prefer to collect at a minimum! But, I love and enjoy beautifully curated collections.
East-West West-East sculpture by artist Richard Serra near village of Zekreet, Qatar, Middle East, 14th December 2019. Photo: DavorFlam / Alamy
Which living artist seems most relevant to you today?
Richard Serra but he passed in 2024. Right now, I am going to have to say Kara Walker; she is less interested in illustrating history than exposing the narratives and systems that determine what a culture chooses to remember and what it chooses to monumentalise. I found her Monuments show at MOCA LA and offsites wonderful and powerful.
In which city do you spend most of your time and where do you consider home?
For the past 9 years I have spent most of my time in Los Angeles, mostly because I couldn’t keep moving our kids around, but given the nature of our family life, I have to be openminded about the meaning of home.
What view best describes your happy place?
Being in nature, swimming in the sea, being with my husband, family and friends.
Is there a place in the world you long to visit but have not yet?
Namibia and Botswana are both very high on my list.
[sea goat], 2025 - Performance by Jas Lin. Photo: Tristan Crane
What physical object inspires you the most?
Planet Earth.
What is your first rule of dressing?
Clothes or Salad? Ha Ha Ha… Comfortable knickers / Lemon first.
Party dress and heels or white shirt and jeans?
White shirt and jeans any day!
Dance and Eye curated by Morleigh Steinberg opens at Château La Coste on 29th August and runs until 3rd October:
