I dance because I do not trust words

Press

“[…] where language fails, movement must provide the right expressions. […] After Kaori Ito performs a Butoh-tinted scene, it is [her father] Hiroshi’s turn to dance. He does so in a very laid-back way until the duo collapses into wonderful silliness. He exits inconspicuously at a certain point before Kaori delivers her last punchline: She unveils a mighty sculpture of Hiroshi in the background. And looks at it and reflects for a long while – one of the many beautiful moments in this performance that is as exotic as it is touching.”

Neue Presse, 3 September 2019

Preview Text

This very personal piece by the Japanese dancer and choreographer Kaori Ito revolves around the subjects of familiarity and alienation, tradition and change. After ten years apart, “I dance because I do not trust words” reunites Kaori Ito with her father Hiroshi, with whom she performs on stage. While Kaori Ito spent a decade touring the world with the Belgian company les ballets C de la B and later founded her own company, her father lived and worked as a sculptor in faraway Japan. This poetic duet looks back at the past and allows unanswered questions to be raised. Striking both harsh and conciliatory notes, it reveals that there is much that still bonds these two charismatic figures despite the experiences that divide them. In Japan, words are not trusted. Where words fail, Kaori and Hiroshi dance.

(approx. 60 mins)

Watch a video on Vimeo

cast & credits

With: Kaori Ito (daughter), Hiroshi Ito (father)
Text, direction & choreography: Kaori Ito
Choreography Assistant: Gabriel Wong
Dramaturgy and writing support: Julien Mages
Set design: Hiroshi Ito
Lighting: Arno Veyrat
Sound creation: Joan Cambon
Sound design: Adrien Maury
Mask design and external view: Erhard Stiefel
Costumes: Duc Siegenthaler (Geneva University of Art and Design)
Coaching actors: Jean-Yves Ruf
Vocal Coaching: Alexis Gfeller
Production: Améla Alihodzic (Playtime) & Laura Terrieux
Distribution: Carmen Mehnert & Anne Schmidt / PLAN B - Creative Agency for Performing Arts

A production by Compagnie Himé.

Co-productions and residencies: The Theatre Garonne European stage, Toulouse/ The Théâtre de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines - Scène nationale/ Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg/ La Ménagerie de verre, Paris/ ADC de Genève/ Le Lieu Unique, Nantes/ Le Klap Maison pour la danse, Marseille/ L'Avant-Scène - Scène conventionnée de Cognac/ Le Channel - scène nationale de Calais et La Filature - Scène nationale de Mulhouse/ Fondation franco-Japonaise Sasakawa

Partners: Ville de Genève/ Arcadi Île-de-France/ SSA - Swiss Society of Authors/ Pro Helvetia/ Loterie Romande and Ernst Göhner Foundation

The Himé Association receives the support of the BNP Paribas Foundation for all its projects.

The company is supported by the Ministry of Culture - DRAC Île-de-France, the Île-de-France Region and the Val-de-Marne Department.

Kaori Ito is an artist associated with the Mac de Créteil and the Centquatre in Paris and is in artistic partnership with KLAP Maison pour la danse.

With thanks to the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover.