Laban’s transition from painting to dancing took place over several years, extending roughly from 1913 to 1919. These were years he spent in Switzerland – in Monte Verita and later in Zurich.
Laban himself will make guest appearances in the two books I have chosen as summer reading: Mountain of Truth and Memoirs of a Dada Drummer.
Mountain of Truth, by Martin Green, examines the counter-culture community of Ascona between 1900-1920. During this period, Ascona became the place for many of Europe’s spiritual rebels to visit or live, and Green discusses Laban as one of the most interesting and representative denizens.
Memoirs of a Dada Drummer, by Richard Huelsenbeck, provides a first hand account of the performances of the writers, poets, musicians and dancers at the Cabaret Voltaire in Zurich during WWI. Huelsenbeck helped found the Dada movement; Laban provided the dancers.