Butoh Through the Lens

This film screening and talk, introducing short films about Butoh dance, will be presented by Florencia Guerberof, performer and founder of Asian Performing Arts UK. Firstly, she will show her own film recordings entitled Impressions featuring Yoshito Ono and Duration which reflect her own impressions during her research on Butoh dance in Japan during 2009. The screening will continue with the documentary Still Move by Marieke Schroeder. The film portrays Japanese dancer and choreographer Saburo Teshigawara who creates a fusion of Butoh principles and postmodern elements. The event aims at portraying a different side of Butoh dance. Until recently Butoh was still considered in Japan as a form of theatre of an extremely dark nature, allowing images of wilderness, ecstasy, decay and pure physicality through its distorted gestures, fragmented bodies and impulsiveness. Butoh is chaotic, unrestrained, but is not all about excessive and discordant matter. It can also be harmonious, measured and calm. Whether pleasant or painful, Butoh does not exclude any aspect of existence. It comprises the essence of all things and the process of becoming different entities through the medium of dance. The screening will focus on a meditative view of Butoh, highlighting aspects such as stillness and breath as the starting point of movement.

*Please note that registration and drinks reception for this event will be before the event, starting from 6.30pm and finishing at 7.00 pm.