|
SANKAI JUKU
Directed, Choreographed and Designed by Ushio Amagatsu
|
 |
|
|
Sankai Juku, founded by Ushio AMAGATSU, artistic director, in 1975, has
premiered a new piece on a constant pace, approximately once every two
years, at THEATRE DE LA VILLE, PARIS. Since 1982, THEATRE DE LA VILLE, PARIS has commissioned 12 productions:
Jomon Sho (1982), Netsu No Katachi (1984), Unetsu (1986), Shijima (1988), Omote (1991), Yuragi (1993), Hiyomeki (1995), Hibiki (1998), Kagemi (2000), Utsuri (2003), Toki (2005), and Tobari (2008.)
In 1980, Sankai Juku was invited to perform in Europe for the first time.
They went to the Nancy International Festival in France with the firm conviction
that Butoh* would be accepted. Since the performance made quite a sensation
and they won a great popularity there, Avignon Festival officially invited
them in the same year. For the next four years, the company remained in
Europe and performed in various international festivals; Edinburgh International Festival, Spain Madrid International Festival, International Cervantino Festival,
etc. In 1984, they were invited to North America where they made their
North American debut at the Toronto International Festival and the L.A.
Olympic Arts Festival, and have toured extensively in North America and
Canada. Since 1990, Sankai Juku has also performed in such Asian counties
as Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Indonesia, and Malaysia. They also
made a success of Russia and East European tour in 1998.
As of January 1st 2008, Sankai Juku has performed in 43 countries and visited
more than 700 cities. In February 2002, " Hibiki - Resonance from far away" received the 26th Laurence Olivier Awards in category of "Best New Dance Production."
Ushio Amagatsu, founder and artistic director, has trained in classical as well as modern dance before he worked out his own Butoh. For Amagatsu, Butoh expresses the language of the body. In the 1970s, Amagatsu drew mostly on his own individual experience for inspiration. During 1980s, much of which he spent working in Europe, the inspiration of his work became more universal. In his works, he presents an abstract vision of the infinite, evolutionary movement, of the relationship of the body to gravity, of relationship of gravity to the earth and the environment.
|
Performance History
As of January 1st 2008, Sankai Juku has performed in 43 countries and visited
more than 700 cities: France, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Mexico, Spain,
Austria, Venezuela, Poland, Germany, the U.K., Yugoslavia, Holland, Israel,
Finland, Sweden, Canada, the United States, Greece, Australia, New Zealand,
Brazil, Singapore, Denmark, Portugal, Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan, Norway,
Indonesia, Colombia, Russia, Hungary, Czech, Ukraine, Lithuania, Luxembourg,
Croatia, Iceland, Malaysia, Ireland, Argentine, and Japan.
Reviews say:
"The singular glory of Sankai Juku is that it achieves almost pure
metaphor." - Jay Cocks, Time
"One of the most original and startling dance theater groups to be
seen…" - Anna Kisselgoff, The New York Times
"An experience as close to stepping into an artist’s dramas any you’ll
ever have."- Margaret Putnam, Dallas Morning News
"It looks amazing and we have no idea how he (Amagatsu) makes it happen."
- Judith Mackrell, The Guardian
" C’est l’esthetique ineffable d’Ushio Amagatsu, travailleur secret
qui multiplie les metamorphoses visuelles, les effets de lumieres a damner
les meilleurs plasticiens."- Dominique Fretard, Le Monde
|
|