LA MODE is the new international co-production involving the Spellbound Contemporary Ballet Company as a protagonist of a creation influenced by different art forms. LA MODE is a performance-installation conceived by the Japanese musician Tomoko Mukaiyama. The production combines, in a unique way, music, visual arts and body language. A group of international highly recognized artists signs this collective work.
Along with Spellbound Contemporary Ballet(production and artistic partner for the project), the team is composed of the Serbian choreographer Dunja Jocic (guest artist at Club Guy and Roni and now freelance choreographer and director), the Cypriot composer Yannis Kyriakides ( Gaudeamus Award 2000, Qwartz Award, Toonzetters Award, Willem Pijper Award, honorable mention from Prix Ars Electronica 2014, first prize UNESCO) and the architect Toyo Ito. The latter is considered as one of ten most influential architects in the world, winner of the Pritzker Prize, he designed the Opera House that will host the creation during the opening days of the same Opera in Taichung in October 2016. For the first time, Ito will approach the performing arts field by working as a stage designer on the production itself. Also joining the team are the Yugoslav stylist Slavna Martinovic (Nominee for the best make up in a music video at MVPA of L.A., Golden Mimosa for the best costume), the textile designer Yoko Ando, the lighting designer Tanja Ruehl, the guest dancer Sarah Murphy and finally, Tomoko Mukaiyama herself who will play the piano during the performance.
The European premiere of LA MODE is scheduled for September 8 2016 in Bolzanofor the Transart Festival. The world premiere, scheduled for 1st and 2nd October, will correspond with the Official Opening of the National Taichung Theater, first Opera House in Taiwan, designed by the architect Toyo Ito. After the opening in Taichung, LA MODE will pursue its tournee to the Tokyo’s Dance New Air Festival and will be performed 4 times from 8 to 10 October.
Credits
Concept & artistic direction Tomoko Mukaiyama
Choreography Dunja Jocic in cooperation with Spellbound Contemporary Ballet dancers
Choreographer Assistant Alessandra Chirulli, Luca Cacitti
Performers Tomoko Mukaiyama (piano), Spellbound Contemporary Ballet, Sarah Murphy (dance)
Music Yannis Kyriakides
Costumes Slavna Martinovic
Set design Toyo Ito & Associates, Architects + Yoko Ando
Light artist Tanja Ruehl
Technical director Yutaka Endo / LUFTZUG
Light & sound engineer Yuji Tsutsumida / WHITELIGHT
Producer Tomoko Mukaiyama Foundation
Coproducers Spellbound Contemporary Ballet (IT), National Taichung Theater (TW)
Associated coproducers Dance New Air (JP)
Partners Transart Festival (IT)
Support Fonds Podiumkunsten, Stichting Ammodo
Special thanks to Multus, BIGI, Ambassade van het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden in Tokyo. Speaker system supported by Taguchi
Performance dates
8 September 2016 (pre-premiere) Transart, Bolzano, Italy
1 and 2 October 2016 (world premiere) National Taichung Theater, Taichung, Taiwan
8, 9 and 10 October 2016 Dance New Air Festival, Tokyo, Japan