Talking about Hijikata Tatsumi XIV: 39th Anniversary of His Death will be held on Tuesday, January 21, 2025

2024 was a difficult year. Several friends and acquaintances of Hijikata Tatsumi passed away. Some we were able to invite as guests for "Talking about Hijikata Tatsumi," while others we were not.

Nevertheless, it is a small comfort to think that they have all journeyed to be with Hijikata Tatsumi.

January 21, 2025. We will hold the annual "Talking about Hijikata Tatsumi" event. This time, we have invited sculptor Shozo Yoshie as a guest speaker to discuss Hijikata Tatsumi's stage design.

Mr. Yoshie collaborated with Hijikata Tatsumi at the Asbestos Studio, working on the stage design for the "Hakutobo Serial Performances" (1974–1976). While Hijikata Tatsumi's work is often discussed primarily in terms of dance, during this period he also devised the stage designs himself, demonstrating remarkable creativity. Furthermore, it could be said that the unique lighting developed by Hijikata breathed soul into the stage design. In any case, the dancer's body, music, art, lighting, and costumes came together as one to create a stage that evoked a sense of euphoria.

Earlier, in the 1960s, Natsuyuki Nakanishi, Tadanori Yokoo, and Akira Shimizu collaborated with Hijikata Tatsumi on art and design. Through an "endless dialogue" (Nakanishi) between the dancer and the artists, they moved toward creation with a relationship that transcended the usual boundaries between director and artist.

So, what was the case for Shozo Yoshie in the 1970s?

To begin with, what was the world that Hijikata Tatsumi sought to create through stage design? What was happening in that cramped stage space of the Asbestos Studio? By displaying the remaining stage design works (sliding doors) and screening documentary footage, we will examine the results of the "collaborative work" between Hijikata Tatsumi and Shozo Yoshie.

Additionally, stage costumes by Akira Shimizu, whom Hijikata Tatsumi called the "painter who catches lightning," will be on special display at the venue.

In 2024, many Butoh performances were held, and international exchange surrounding Butoh increased rapidly. We expect even more exchange in 2025. Together with everyone gathered for "Talking about Hijikata Tatsumi," we hope to make this a day to revisit the past of Butoh while considering its present and future.

[Date and Time]

Tuesday, January 21, 2025, Doors open at 17:00 (Scheduled: 18:00 start – 20:00 end)

[Venue]

Keio University Mita Campus, East Building 6F G-Lab (Campus Map ⑬)

[Target Audience]

*Admission and exit are free

*Online streaming available (Zoom Webinar)

[Cost]

Free

[Advance Registration]

No advance registration required

[Organizers, Co-organizers, etc.]

Organizer: Keio University Art Center (KUAC)

Planning: Keio University Art Center (KUAC) Hijikata Tatsumi Archive, Portfolio BUTOH

Cooperation: Hijikata Tatsumi Asbestos Studio, NPO Butoh Creation Resources

FY2024 Media Arts Archive Promotion Support Project: "Digitization and Recording of Video Records of Performances and Exhibitions since the 1970s II"