PROGRAM
10

HOTPOT. Yokohama 
Takeuchi Azusa “kara-da-kara”

The 6th HOTPOT East Asia Dance Platform


  • 12.11 [Wed] 17:30
  • 12.12 [Thu] 17:30
@Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse No.1 3rd floor Hall

Takeuchi Azusa

© Pierre Grosbois

After studying dance in Japan, Takeuchi Azusa moved to France, and is currently based in Paris. This solo piece, first premiered in France in 2019, explores the concept of the body. The title, a fusion of the words Kara (empty, shell), Karada (body), Dakara (therefore) —which resists fixed interpretation— reflects the idea of “exploring the fascination of the body’s existence” that Takeuchi developed while living between two cultures. The piece contemplates the body, which is never the same, constantly changing throughout a single lifetime, composed of both the physical and the mental. With a focus on the dualism of the body, Takeuchi, as both a dancer and a choreographer, carefully examines the body’s significance through dance. In harmony with beautiful lighting, the work unfolds as an intimate narrative about memory, emotions, thoughts, and life that visit and pass through the fragile vessel that is the body.

“kara-da-kara”

  • Conception, choreography and interpretation: Azusa Takeuchi
  • Light creation and computing: Clément Bossut and Jaime Chao
  • Musical creation: Shinjiro Yamaguchi
  • Artistic collaboration: Mladen Materic
  • Conception of the device: Nicolas Villenave
  • Costume: Mayumi Go
© Rio Saito

Takeuchi Azusa

Takeuchi Azusa is a dancer and choreographer based in Paris. After graduating from Nihon University’s College of Art with a degree in Western Dance from the Department of Theatre in 2008, she moved to France under the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Program of Overseas Study for Upcoming Artists. Upon completing the training program at the Centre de Développement Chorégraphique in Toulouse (now CDCN Toulouse), she participated as a dancer in works by choreographers such as Myriam Gourfink, Franck Vigroux and Peeping Tom. She began creating her own choreographic works in 2010, winning the MASDANZA Award at the Yokohama Dance Collection EX 2011 and being selected as a finalist for the Toyota Choreography Award in 2012. Her solo work kara-da-kara premiered in Toulouse in 2019 and has since been performed in Paris and Charleroi, Belgium. Her creations blend a deep, patient exploration of the body with solid technique, resulting in a unique, powerful world.

  • The 6th HOTPOT East Asia Dance Platform

    Established in 2017 by three dance festivals in East Asia -City Contemporary Dance Festival (Hong Kong), SIDance (Seoul), Yokohama Dance Collection- to discover and foster fresh talent, the “HOTPOT” marks this year its 6th edition. Eleven choreographers based in East Asia will perform their works and give presentations, and take part in dialogue and exchange programs with programmers coming from around the world.

    Organizer:Yokohama Dance Collection, City Contemporary Dance Festival, SIDance
    Co-Organizer:YPAM (Yokohama International Performing Arts Meeting)