Merce Cunningham began sketching animals at the Central Park Zoo after his arrival in New York City as a young dancer in 1939. Best known for shaping modern dance with his visionary choreography, Cunningham drew animals throughout his lifetime. While his drawings function as artworks in their own right, they also acted as inspiration for his choreography. In this collection of drawings, the marks are quick and simple. Cunningham did not labor over these representations, but rather aimed to capture an ephemeral moment or motion. For a choreographer whose art is performed in gestures during fleeting moments on stage, Cunningham seems to be using these sketches as research—taking visual notes during trips to the zoo to inspire future dances.