In 2020, the state of emergency declared due to the nationwide and rapid spread of COVID-19 restricted people’s movement and interactions, including theater performances. During this time, Matsumoto Nanako began a project in which she danced with imaginary objects, people, and landscapes. She developed this project further through research with Nishimoto Kengo, premiering the solo work Kyoto Imaginary Waltz in Kyoto in 2021. Using the waltz, a form of Western culture imported into Japan in the late 19th century as modernization advanced, and the city of Kyoto as key elements, Matsumoto delicately unearths layers of personal and collective memories hidden within each body. This “imaginary waltz” calls upon the audience’s memories and senses, posing questions about the meaning of being present in the here and now.
HOTPOT. Yokohama
Matsumoto Nanako / Nishimoto Kengo＜team chiipro＞
“Kyoto Imaginary Waltz”
The 6th HOTPOT East Asia Dance Platform
- 12.12 [Thu] 19:30
- 12.13 [Fri] 19:30
Matsumoto Nanako / Nishimoto Kengo＜team chiipro＞
“Kyoto Imaginary Waltz”
- Performance： Matsumoto Nanako
- Choreography ＆ Composition： Matsumoto Nanako / Nishimoto Kengo＜team chiipro＞
- Video design： Abe Daichi
- Research assistance： Shibata Eri
- Fact-checking： Nagai Yoshikazu (Professor, Faculty of Sociology, Kansai University)
- Subtitle translation： Kawai Kyoka
- Production： ＜team chiipro＞
- Co-production： KYOTO EXPERIMENT
Matsumoto Nanako / Nishimoto Kengo＜team chiipro＞
This performance unit, currently co-directed by Matsumoto Nanako and Nishimoto Kengo, creates stage works that explore the critical nature of the body as well as gestures. The unit makes a new team for each work, tailoring the group to the specific themes and challenges of the project. Their productions, such as Kokyo Running Man [Imperial Palace Running Man] (2019, 2020), Kyoto Imaginary Waltz (2021) presented at KYOTO EXPERIMENT, and Nyonin Shiko Dance［Menstruation Sumo Dance］(2022), are based on meticulous research into specific places and historical events. The choreography extracts steps from these contexts, weaving together the multiple layers of meaning that emerge, along with the performers’ bodily sensations and memories, to create a dance that engages with the audience. Matsumoto and Nishimoto collaborate on choreography and composition, while Matsumoto performs.
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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)
