Kyoto Experiment Spring 2016: A Shift Toward Monographic Programming
The Spring 2016 edition of Kyoto Experiment signifies a pivotal shift for the festival, emphasizing a monographic theme: borders in 2016, cultural tensions in East Asia for 2017, and women in 2018. The program features Trisha Brown Dance Company, Dairakudakan Temptenshiki, Yukichi Matsumoto, and Boris Charmatz, along with returning groups such as Contact Gonzo, Choy Ka Fai, Chiten, and Cheltfish. Dairakudakan's 'Space Insect' alludes to the butoh movement's 1960s roots, while Matsumoto's 'Portal' reflects Ishinha's artistic visuals. Emerging companies challenge traditional narratives, as seen in Cheltfish's 'Time's Journey Through a Room,' which subtly nods to the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. Choy Ka Fai's 'SoftMachine' examines how traditional dancers adapt to modern styles. Kyoto Experiment Spring 2016 is viewed as both a foundation and a commitment.
Key facts
- Kyoto Experiment Spring 2016 introduces monographic programming for future editions: borders (2016), East Asian cultural conflicts/similarities (2017), women (2018).
- Featured artists include Trisha Brown Dance Company, Dairakudakan Temptenshiki, Yukichi Matsumoto, Boris Charmatz, Contact Gonzo, Choy Ka Fai, Chiten, Cheltfish, Manuela Infante, and David Wampach.
- Dairakudakan Temptenshiki's 'Space Insect' references butoh founder Tatsumi Hijikata and Juro Kara's Red Tent underground theater in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
- Yukichi Matsumoto's 'Portal' recalls Ishinha, a company he founded in 1970 in Osaka, with performances in Kansai dialect during village festivals.
- Cheltfish's 'Time's Journey Through a Room' includes a minimalist installation by Tsuyoshi Hisakado and references the 2011 Tohoku earthquake.
- Choy Ka Fai's 'SoftMachine: Surjit & Rianto' is a documentary performance with dancers from Manipur, India and Banyumas, Indonesia.
- The festival aims to attract non-specialist audiences and explore the origins of performative experimentation.
- Manuela Infante and David Wampach are involved in cultural exchange projects with Kyoto.
Entities
Artists
- Trisha Brown
- Yukichi Matsumoto
- Boris Charmatz
- Choy Ka Fai
- Manuela Infante
- David Wampach
- Tatsumi Hijikata
- Juro Kara
- Tsuyoshi Hisakado
- Surjit
- Rianto
Institutions
- Kyoto Experiment
- Trisha Brown Dance Company
- Dairakudakan Temptenshiki
- Contact Gonzo
- Chiten
- Cheltfish
- Ishinha
- Artribune
Locations
- Kyoto
- Japan
- Tokyo
- Shinjuku
- Osaka
- Manipur
- India
- Banyumas
- Indonesia
- Chile
- France
- Tohoku