Meaning: Katherine Dunham was a prominent African American dancer, choreographer, and anthropologist who made significant contributions to the world of dance. The quote you provided sheds light on the collaborative nature of her work with her husband, John Pratt, and emphasizes the importance of costume design in realizing her artistic vision.

In this quote, Dunham expresses her gratitude for her husband's costumes, acknowledging that they played a crucial role in bringing her choreographic ideas to life. She suggests that without the visual representation provided by the costumes, she would have struggled to fully realize the concepts and imagery that she visualized in her mind. This highlights the symbiotic relationship between choreography and costume design, where each element informs and enhances the other.

Furthermore, Dunham acknowledges that her choreography, when combined with the appropriate costumes, provided valuable inspiration for her husband in his design process. This mutual exchange of creative influence demonstrates the interconnectedness of different artistic disciplines and the way in which collaboration can enrich and elevate the final artistic product.

Katherine Dunham's approach to choreography and costume design was deeply rooted in her understanding of the cultural and historical significance of dance. As an anthropologist, she was known for incorporating elements of African and Caribbean dance traditions into her work, showcasing the diversity and richness of these cultural expressions. The costumes created by her husband not only complemented her choreography but also served as a visual representation of the cultural narratives and themes embedded within her dance pieces.

Dunham's emphasis on the "background" of the choreography further underscores the importance of contextual understanding in the creative process. The fusion of movement, music, and costume was a means for her to convey deeper layers of meaning and storytelling, transcending mere aesthetics to communicate broader cultural and social narratives.

It is also worth noting that Dunham and Pratt's collaboration extended beyond the stage, as they worked together to bring their artistic visions to life. Their partnership exemplifies the power of creative collaboration within the realm of performing arts, highlighting the ways in which mutual support and inspiration can lead to innovative and impactful artistic endeavors.

In conclusion, Katherine Dunham's quote offers insight into the intricate relationship between choreography and costume design, emphasizing how the two elements intersect and influence each other in the creative process. Her acknowledgment of her husband's costumes as instrumental in realizing her choreographic vision speaks to the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the way in which artistic disciplines can inform and elevate one another. Through her words, Dunham invites us to appreciate the depth and complexity of dance as a multidimensional art form, where movement, music, and costume converge to create a rich tapestry of storytelling and cultural expression.