TRANSITIONS

Movement focused on the transitions between bodily states, images and forms

Thursdays, October 22 - November 19, 2009

4:00p to 7:00p

San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, 301 Eighth Street 94103

led by

SHINICHI MOMO IOVA-KOGA * SHERWOOD CHEN * DANA IOVA-KOGA

In this five course series, we will find our way into the subject of transitions through rigorous physical training, group and solo improvisations and guided exercises. We are investigating a dance that takes risks without artifice, and a body state that possesses both courage and sensitivity.

BIOGRAPHY:

SHINICHI MOMO IOVA-KOGA, originally a photographer, filmmaker and theater director, entered the world of Butoh dance in 1991 (initially through Akeno Ashikawa and then consistently through Hiroko Tamano and Yumiko Yoshioka). Childhood training in Judo (under Yuzo Koga) and early adult years studying Tadashi Suzuki Method of Acting (under Yukihiro Goto) influenced his expressions. Improvisational theater methods such as Action Theater (under Ruth Zaporah) shaped his approach to the process of creating stage works. In 1998, he founded the performance company inkBoat, whose productions reference Butoh dance as well as Physical Theater and filmic conventions. Iova-Koga examines, dissects and intentionally blurs the line between various media to uproot stories contained within the body and to communicate those stories to witnesses.

Shinichi has collaborated intensively with cokaseki (Germany: 2004-present), Yumiko Yoshioka and TEN PEN CHii (Germany: 1996-2001), Do Theatre (Russia: 1997-present), Minako Seki (Germany: 2001-2005), Shadowlight Theatre (SF: 1993-1997), Degenerate Art Ensemble (Seattle: 2001-present), and often creates improvisation evenings with longtime production collaborators Yuko Kaseki, Sten Rudstrøm and Cassie Terman.

DANA IOVA-KOGA received her BFA from New York University’s Experimental Theater Wing, where she studied dance and choreography. After graduating, she spent several years under the tutelage of Min Tanaka on his farm in Japan. It was during this time that Dana became interested in the myriad connections between the body and nature, between dance and agriculture. It is a theme she has continued to explore on her own, and with Shinichi Iova-Koga, as they develop inkGround. She brings to her teaching physical experience from various sources, including yoga, post-modern dance, physical theater and shoveling.

SHERWOOD CHEN bio