A quadruple bill of short dance pieces by Chiharu Kuronuma and Teruki Okamoto from Japan, I/O volume 3 brings choreography and calligraphy, juggling and digital technology together in an exploration of movement and meaning.
The first two pieces, Flow and Trajectories of Transitions are created and performed by Kuronuma. They are similar, but the second piece has more energy and interest. Movements are made from behind static letters from Japanese writing, creating their own story.
The third and fourth pieces explore the physical form through image and juggling. Coordinated Distance and Part of Empties take us from the traditional sphere into a more modern and artificial one.
Created and performed by Okamoto, it stays with the theme of creating shapes for communication, with the performer in shadow for the majority of time. Remote, mysterious, hypnotic. There is beauty and energy in this space.
On the title card, this is billed as a work in progress. The Brighton Fringe page for the show tells us of the research projects in which the creators participate.
For Kuromuma, the Laban Movement Analysis feeds into her work on integrating 2-D calligraphy with 3-D body movement. For Okamoto, it is the Principle of Motion which drives the work; with Part of Empties in particular having the feel of an abstract painting enveloping the scene.
With music by Ayumi ‘Ojo’ Matsui, lighting and sound by Takamasa Yamada, and filming by Masahiro Sekiya, I/O volume 3 pushes at the boundaries of the digital dance and theatre space.
Taken as a whole, the quartet of pieces are both complementary and confrontational. The calligraphy of the first duo explodes into the shapes and suggestions of the second, but both seek to communicate.
You can stream I/O volume 3 during the Brighton Fringe or through C Arts – book your ticket here and the trailer here.