William Forsythe will be awarded the Wexner Prize for his work as artistic director of the highly regarded Frankfurt Ballet in Germany. In conjunction with the prize, the Wexner Center scheduled a series of events to commemorate Forsythe’s work.

In receiving the prize, Forsythe joins an elite group of contemporary artists who have made significant innovations in the arts, including Martin Scorsese, Robert Rauschenberg and Yvonne Rainer. This is the 10th year the prize is being awarded.

Forsythe said he was honored to receive the award and to be placed among the group of past recipients.

“I was blown away,” Forsythe said. “When I saw the list I was stunned.”

In addition to receiving a $50,000 prize, Forsythe will also receive a commemorative sculpture designed by artist Jim Dine.

Born in New York City in 1949, Forsythe began his dance career in the United States with the Joffrey Ballet. He relocated to Germany in 1973 to dance with the Stuttgart Ballet, where he became resident choreographer. In 1984, Forsythe became artistic director of the Frankfurt Ballet. He has since been praised for his physically-demanding style and wild choreography combined with the underlying principles of classical ballet.

After nearly 20 years with the Frankfurt Ballet, Forsythe recently announced he will be leaving the company at the end of the 2003-2004 season because of Frankfurt city budget cuts.

The prize came at a good time in his career, Forsythe said.

“Considering the Frankfurt crisis, it helped me feel better about my decision,” he said. “It helped us in Frankfurt to feel validated that we have done something good.”

Wexner Center director Sherrie Geldin also said the timing of the prize could not have been better in light of Forsythe’s announcement. She said many people are hoping he will spend more time in the United States, though Forsythe said he has no plans after he leaves Frankfurt.

The Wexner Center hosted a symposium to discuss the work of Forsythe on Sunday. The panel consisted of artists and critics who have worked with Forsythe over the span of his career. The 1995 film, “Just Dancing Around? William Forsythe,” by Michael Figgis was also shown. Figgis filmed Forsythe and the dance company as they rehearsed for the performance “Loss of Small Detail.”

Figgis, a member of the panel, said he was stunned by the dancers, but was also frightened by them because of their sudden rapid movements. He said the dancers also taught him a lot about camera movement by forcing him to get close to them and follow their moves.

In her introduction to the film screening, Geldin spoke highly of Forsythe, commenting on his creative range and his ability to span several areas of the arts.

“He is a choreographer’s choreographer,” Geldin said. “(He has) forged new ground in choreographic structure and vocabulary.”

In the film, Forsythe discussed the reasoning behind his ideas, describing his style as improvisation or “real-time choreography.”

“I enjoy watching dances that need a degree of deciphering,” Forsythe said. “I enjoy watching things emerge that require a quick eye. I enjoy a challenge.”

The members of the symposium panel had much to say about their first-hand encounters with Forsythe and their excitement while watching their first Forsythe show.

Panel member Louise Neri, critic and curator, is working on a book about Forsythe. She said she is inspired by Forsythe’s charisma and undying enthusiasm for his work.

“Every time I see a Frankfurt Ballet performance, the hairs on my neck rise,” she said. “It’s somewhat spine-tingling.”

The events continued yesterday. Forsythe gave a presentation, “Dance and Digital Media,” discussing a CD-ROM he uses to teach the dancers. He also led a discussion entitled “Collaboration Across the Disciplines.” Following the discussion, a reception was held in the Wexner Center lobby and café where people had a chance to meet Forsythe.

Forsythe also conducted a two-hour master class on dance technique for students in Ohio State’s Department of Dance. He said the students were very good and he was impressed.

“The students were very high level, very capable,” he said.

The Wexner Prize Presentation will take place today in a private award ceremony at the Wexner Center.