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Rob Schwartz
For Rob Schwartz's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Oct 15, 2010
Troupe turns words into action
Fujiyama Annette, a contemporary dance troupe started by 30-year-old Nay Hasegawa and Kazumi Yamashita in 2003 (though Yamashita is no longer involved), is known for its inventive takes on performance, use of technology and focus on different perspectives.
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Dec 11, 2009
Don Quixote gets punked
The contemporary Japanese dance scene has recently drifted to a more fragmented situation where groups delve deeper into their own particular take on performance, but one exception to this is Pappa Tarahumara. Founded by Hiroshi Koike (freshly back from a discussion presentation with Laurie Anderson at New York's Japan Society), the troupe is the definition of eclectic, using butoh, song, absurdist drama and contemporary dance in its shows. In a recent interview Koike said, "I founded Pappa Tarahumara to overcome boundaries between different styles of performance. I want to incorporate many different elements."
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Nov 6, 2009
Partying with a leathery twist
Whether you're into alternative lifestyles, cutting edge art and performance or just a good old thumping party, the Japan Fetish Ball will entertain, and possibly challenge your assumptions.
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Oct 2, 2009
Festival celebrates butoh founder Ohno
Tatsumi Hijikata and Kazuo Ohno are recognized as the founders of the influential dance genre known as butoh (originally called ankoku butoh, "the dance of darkness"), which has become an important worldwide dance form. While Hijikata passed away in 1986, Ohno, now 102, has enjoyed incredible longevity and a festival to honor him was created five years ago.
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Jul 3, 2009
Sometimes taboos make for good shows
Artist, curator and performer Viviennne U.H. Doan is presenting the second edition of her multifaceted event "Beautified Taboo" on July 9 at Super Deluxe, and if this version is anything like the distinctive experience that greeted patrons of the first event last July, art lovers in Tokyo are in for quite a treat.
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Dec 19, 2008
Moving into recovery, awareness in 'Fubin!'
The Fujiyama Annette dance/theater company was started by 28-year-old Nay Hasegawa and 27-year-old Kazumi Yamashita in 2003, though only Hasegawa continues to choreograph the company's shows. Named after an imaginary French-Japanese iconic model, the company puts on unique dance performances that mix video projection, dance, music and art design. Though labeled a dance company, Annette considers itself a theater group that uses body movement to replace words. Each project begins with scripted dialogue, which is replaced with movement as the performance develops.
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Jun 27, 2008
Doan exhibition embraces human taboos as art forms
Artist Vivienne U.H. Doan is known for following her own vision. From body-sculpting and superstylish modeling- performance pieces to gigantic dress installations, this Vietnamese-German has offered a fresh take on art that involves the audience.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jun 8, 2006
Behind the scenes is where he preferred to be
"I founded the school in the first place because my father taught me I should do something for young people when I reached the age of 50.'' -- Shohei Imamura (in an interview with a former student in 1994)

Longform

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