projects

Takao Kawaguchi’s “About Kazuo Ohno -- Reliving the Butoh Diva's Masterpieces”

“About Kazuo Ohno” has been performed around the world as the outstanding outcome of using materials of Kazuo Ohno Archive. Kawaguchi has studied the remaining footages of Kazuo Ohno’s performances in detail and copied his movements in some scenes from “Admiring La Argentina (1977)”, “My Mother (1981)” and “The Dead Sea (1985)” perfectly. Not only copying, he also makes a performance inspired by Kazuo’s avant-garde film “The Portrait of Mr.O (1969).” Regardless of knowing Kazuo or not, this piece has attracted many audience in the world. This will be a wonderful opportunity to witness this piece which is still evolving after 4 years since its premiere.

Saturday, December 2nd & Sunday, December 3rd, 2017. 15:00-17:00
Venue: Sainokuni Saitama Arts Theater
Admission fee: 3,000 yen in advance/ 3,500 yen at the door
U-25: For ones under 26 years old 2,500 yen in advance/ 3,000 yen at the door
*Children under 6 years old are not allowed. The ticket sale will start on September 2nd.

Conceptualized, directed and performed by Takao Kawaguchi
Original choreography: Tatsumi Hjijikata and Kazuo Ohno
Dramaturg, Sound and Visual: Naoto Iina
Lighting Design: Toshio Mizohata
Costume: Noriko Kitamura

Organized by NPO Dance Archive Network
Co-organized by Saitama Arts Foundation, Canta Co.Ltd
Cooperated by Kazuo Ohno Dance Studio, Morugu Sha
Supported by Japan Arts Council

Takao Kawaguchi

While joining the Japanese multimedia performance company Dumb Type from 1996 to 2008, Kawaguchi started his solo performance in 2000. His recent pieces include: “DiQueNoVes (Say You Don't See)” (2003), “D.D.D.- How Many Times Will My Heart Beat Before It Stops?” (2004), “Good Luck” (2008) and “TABLEMIND” (2011). He also worked on Butoh-related pieces such as: “The Ailing Dance Mistress– based on the texts of Tatsumi Hijikata” (2012), and “About Kazuo Ohno” (2013). He is active in various filed, such as being the director of the Tokyo International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival from 1996 to 1999.

Related Program

Takao Kawaguchi’s Body Sculpture Workshop: Experience the process of making “About Kazuo Ohno”

In this workshop, participants are expected to try to analyze and copy Kazuo Ohno’s movements by observing the excerpts from his master pieces.

Friday, November 3rd & Saturday, November 4th, 2017. 14:00-17:00
Venue: Sainokuni Saitama Arts Theater
Admission fee: 6,000 yen for 2 days (With the performance ticket, it will be 5,500 yen)
Qualification: Dancers, performers and artists
Reservation: Dance Archive Network tel: 03-3450- 6507
e-mail: info@dance-archive.net

Exhibition

“Modern Dance to Butoh : from Kazuo Ohno Arhive”

The exhibition will show materials belong to Kazuo Ohno Archive, including photos, posters and Kazuo’s creative notes. From Kazuo’s modern dance piece “The Old Man and Sea (1959),” the music (digital master version from the open reel tape) and Kazuo’s letter to Hemingway will be specially exhibited for the first time.

Friday, November 3rd thru Sunday, December 3rd, 2017. 9:00-22:00 (closed on 6, 13, and 27 November)
Opening Party: November 3rd, 2017. 17:30-18:30
Venue: Sainokuni Saitama Arts Theater
Admission free

Screening of Kazuo’s film

“The Portrait of Mr.O (1969)” and “Admiring La Argentina (1977)” will be screened. Both are the inspirational source for Takao Kawaguchi’s “About Kazuo Ohno” and important footages in the 20th century dance history.

Saturday, December 2nd, 2017. 13:00-14:10 “The Portrait of Mr.O” (1969)
Sunday, December 3rd, 2017. 13:00-14:10 “Admiring La Argentina” (1977)
Venue: Sainokuni Saitama Arts Theater
Admission free with the performance ticket of “About Kazuo Ohno.” Both film can be watched with one ticket.

Reservation

The Saitama Arts Theater’s ticket center: 0570-064- 939 (10:00-19:00)

Box Office: Sainokuni Saitama Arts Theater and Saitama Kaikan (10:00-19:00)
PC: http://www.saf.or.jp/
Mobile: http://www.saf.or.jp/mobile/
How to book the tickets at The Saitama Arts Theater: http://www.saf.or.jp/en/ticket_howto/

NPO Dance Archive Network

Tel: 03-3450- 6507
E-mail: info@dance-archive.net
For the reservation, please send the e-mail to info@dance-archive.net with the following information.
 1. Your name
 2. The number of tickets
 3. The intended date for your attendance (Dec.2 or 3)
Please pick your tickets up by paying the fee in cash at the reception desk on the day.

Access to the venue: http://www.saf.or.jp/arthall/access/

Access