Strange things, collaborations. Much admired by the devout acolytes of grant-dispensing foundations in the interests of "crossing cultures" and "mutual understanding," these unfortunate buzz phrases have thrown together more than a few unwieldy alliances in the fields of dance and theater.
It was therefore with some trepidation that I approached the latest ode to international understanding, the ongoing collaboration between Dutch and Japanese dance companies at the Japan Foundation Forum in Akasaka. Even before the curtain lifted on Galili Dance and Ginko Sept. 29 a gulf was apparent.
Holland presented a young dance company comprising dancers from many ethnic backgrounds and led by Israeli choreographer Itzik Galili. Dancers from different backgrounds bring different energies to a company, contributing competing and complementary gifts and views.