DNA PRESENTS: SPLICE: JAPAN: Artists in Residence | Mana Kawamura & Makiko Tamura February 24, 2011

Dance New Amsterdam (DNA) presents up-and-coming choreographers and DNA Artists in Residence Mana Kawamura and Makiko Tamura in the Winter 2011 Season closer, SPLICE: Japan February 24-26. Sharing the stage at DNA, Kawamura will present Pandora and Tamura will present Order made-6-, distinctive works driven by life experiences both in New York City and their native prefectures of Japan. Kawamura and Tamura traveled to New York on artist visas to study America’s diverse dance techniques and styles in 2006 and 2007 respectively, Tamura having come through DNA’s International Student Visa Program. A post-performance talkback moderated by Yoko Shioya, Artistic Director of Japan Society, will take place on Thursday, February 24 in DNA’s 130-seat theater.

As Artists in Residence, Kawamura and Tamura received time and resources to create their unique experiential work, which is representative of the fusion trend in contemporary dance that melds traditional non-western dance with the theatrical and modern aesthetic. As DNA magnifies its international programs and partnerships it steadily expands its global reach. Honoring the excellence of Japanese artists, SPLICE: Japan was made possible, in part, with support from the Japan Foundation. DNA is recognized as a worldwide educational destination for its International Student Visa Program and cultural exchange projects, and is equally committed to exposing audiences to thoughtful dance theater works that explore and practice global perspectives.

Mana Kawamura will present the world premiere of Pandora, a theater-infused work inspired by the legendary Greek myth. The piece marks Kawamura’s first half-evening-length work and is influenced by elements of Tanztheater, as she represents the third generation of German-trained dancers in her family. Speaking of the work Kawamura says, “Pandora is my first investigation of vocal expression as well as the longest piece in my repertoire. The DNA residency afforded me the necessary time and space to delve deeper into my creative process than I could with my previous works. Through this platform, I have examined not only the surface narrative of Pandora’s Box, but also the emotions behind the protagonist’s fateful curiosity.”

Having traveled from Japan to New York to study at DNA as part of the International Visa Program, Makiko Tamura will present the world premiere of Order made-6- on a familiar stage. Conceived from a single duet, awarded first place in The Joyce Theater Foundation’s competitive series, The A.W.A.R.D Show! in 2009, the new work incorporates several duets of varying gender and race, as opposed to the award-winning Japanese couple duet. “I hope that this expansion will enable the audience to relate to the work more deeply, associating it with their own personal human experiences,” says Tamura. “Order made-6- wouldn’t exist without DNA. Not only did they provide numerous opportunities to develop the work in addition to the residency - I initially began creating the piece three years ago as part of DNA’s Works in Progress (WIP) program – but also connected me to several unique artists which I have engaged in the piece.”

SPLICE: Japan was made possible, in part, with support from the Japan Foundation.

Performances take place Thursday – Saturday, February 24-26 at 8:00pm. Prices range from $12 - $17. DNA is located near all major trains to Chambers Street/City Hall.

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Mana Kawamura/ Kawamura the 3rd
Pandora
World Premiere
Choreographed by Mana Kawamura
Performed by Christiana Axelsen, Mana Kawamura, Lize-Lotte Pitlo, Lindy Schmedt, Suzanne Thomas.
Music Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach, Frédéric Chopin, Susumi Hirasawa, Christian Marclay, Edith Piaf and mixed by Mana Kawamura
Lighting Design by Amanda K. Ringger

Pandora is a site-specific piece inspired by the legendary myth, Pandora's Box. Utilizing the walls and columns of DNA’s theater, the piece is movement-based and incorporates a theatrical essence.

Mana Kawamura grew up in Japan studying dance at the Izumi Kawamura Dance Studio, a dance school her grandmother established in 1953. In 2001 she traveled to Germany to study under Pina Bausch Dance Company members Dominique Merci and Malou Airaudo at the Folkwang Hochschule, until 2003. She then returned to Japan and started dancing as a member of the Izumi Kawamura Dance Company. In Japan, she choreographed and performed her own solo for the All Japan Modern Dance Competition in Akita, and received first prize. Kawamura applied for and received a scholarship from the Agency for Cultural Affairs in Japan to further her studies abroad and traveled to New York in 2006. In New York City, she was selected to present a new work for five dancers as part of the newsteps emerging choreographer series during spring of 2008 and 2009. Her choreography has also been presented at Dance Theater Workshop, Joyce Soho, 92nd Street Y, Movement Research at Judson Church, Bric Studio, Cunningham Dance Studio, The Chocolate Factory and The Flea Theater. She received a 2011 space grant from Lower Manhattan Cultural Council. She received space grants from Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (2010) and STREB Lab for Action Mechanics (2011) to create a new work as part of the Emerging Artist Commissioning Program.

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Makiko Tamura/small apple co.
Order made-6-
World Premiere
Choreography by Makiko Tamura
Performed by Jessica Herring, Michael Ingle, Asami Morita, Ryoji Sasamoto, Noriko Sugita, Makiko Tamura
Costumes by Makiko Tamura
Sound Design by small apple co.
Lighting Design by Amanda K. Ringger

Composed with theatrical expressions, gestures and movements crafted by improvisation with given words, Order made-6- communicates faded memories and emotions through each performer’s unique personality and character.

As the founder and artistic director of small apple co., Makiko Tamura has been an annual special guest choreographer/dancer of The Dance Satellite Lecture at Yamaguchi University Faculty of Education since 2004. Tamura graduated from Japan Women’s Junior College of Physical Education studying dance, vocal music, pantomime and traditional art, and Toho Gakuen College of Drama and Music in Tokyo. Tamura performed her works in many theaters such as Asahi Art Square, Akiyoshidai International Art Village and Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media in Japan. In 2007, Tamura moved to the U.S.A. and has since worked with Nathan Trice/RITUALS, Vanessa Justice Dance, Diane McCarthy, Digby Dance, Ellis Wood Dance and in the works of various New York City artists. Tamura presented her works in newsteps choreographer’s series 2008 and 2010 at Chen Dance Center, Danspace Project Food For Thought 2009 at St. Mark’s Church, RAW Material Fall 2009 at Dance New Amsterdam, Fresh Tracks 2010 at Dance Theater Workshop, and other NYC venues. Tamura received first-place prize in “The A.W.A.R.D Show! 2009: New York City” presented by Joyce SoHo and third-place prize in Festival Twenty Ten DanceNOW Challenge 2010 at Dance Theater Workshop.