Hara Museum ARC

This summer, the Hara Museum of Contemporary Art is delighted to present a performance by three dancers, each a core member of the Forsythe Company, the internationally acclaimed contemporary dance ensemble of Frankfurt.

Yasutake Shimaji has been based in Frankfurt since 2006 where he is active creating his own performances and holding workshops. In addition to dance pieces performed in theaters, he has recently expanded his repertoire to include works that explore the relationship between the body and artworks in galleries and museums such as the Tate Modern in London, Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Modern Art in Hayama and Shiseido Gallery in Tokyo. Shimaji’s rich imagination and powers of expression have made him a focus of attention and one of the most promising figures active today.

For this event, Shimaji and two other dancers, Amancio Gonzalez and Josh Johnson, were commissioned to work on a month-long collaboration in Japan and to present the fruits of that collaboration at the Hara Museum.

On their first collaboration, Shimaji has said, “Despite differences in generation, upbringing and race, the intriguing thing is our common body language and the special relationships that it gives rise to during the act of dancing.” We invite you to experience the dynamic and delicate dance expression of these three highly original artists as it resonates with the intimate space of the Hara Museum.

YASUTAKE SHIMAJI
Born in Japan. First studied modern dance under Miyako Kato. A member of the Noism troupe from 2004 to 2006. Member of The Forsythe Company since 2006. Launched the unit altneu with Hana Sakai in 2015. Became a member of Shiseido Tsubaki-kai from April this year and participated in Tsubaki-kai 2015 – Shoshin -. Planning to make Kamakura his base of activities from Jul, 2015.

AMANCIO GONZALEZ
Born in Spain. Trained at the Estudio de danza, Ion Beitia and the Centre International de danse, Rosella Hightower. Danced with the Scottish Ballet, NAPAC Dance Company, De Rotterdamse Dansgroep, Reflex Dance Company and Scapino Ballet Rotterdam. Joined Ballett Frankfurt in 1999. Member of The Forsythe Company since 2005. Amancio is also a free lance guest teacher for some schools and companies like Ballet National de Marseille, Preljocaj Ballet, Basler Ballet, Cullberg Ballet, Skånes Dansteater, Gøtteborg Danskompani and The Forsythe Company.

JOSH JOHNSON
Born in USA. Trained with Eartha Robinson and Otis Sallid, attended Hollywood high school under the direction of Keny Long and was a student at the Marat Daukayev school of ballet in Los Angeles while studying with Karen Mcdonald. Danced with Ailey II, along with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and with The Francesca Harper Project. Member of the Forsythe Company since 2010. Co-Founder of SAD, 2013

Venue

Hara Museum of Contemporary Art Courtyard Garden and the Hall

Organized by

Hara Museum of Contemporary Art

Supported by

Arts Council Tokyo（Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)

Cooperation by

Villa Magical 2014

Costume by

Bernhard Willhelm

Performers/Choreographers

Yasutake Shimaji, Amancio Gonzalez, Josh Johnson