The class will make an inquiry into the transformative nature of the body exploring unique individual expression especially drawn from Butoh’s culturally diverse perspectives.
Butoh is a form of Japanese avant-garde dance which emerged from post war chaos in Japan in the late 50s. Influenced by German Expressionism, self-identity was radically explored through bodily expression. Butoh proposes culturally diverse ways of seeing, which are often fundamental to our lives, such as life & death, decay, the concept of time & space and dark human nature.
Shifting attention from ‘action’ to ‘active listening’ using imagery, experiential anatomy drawn from somatic practice we will explore the body’s complex visceral expression. In groups, partners and as individuals the class will encourage us to be curious, attentive and playful, working both dynamically and quietly. We will aim to embody movement, image and sensation.
Cancellations & refunds
Prices for classes are kept very low and are subsidised by ID in order to support artists to attend. To keep admin manageable for our small team, we don’t offer refunds if you cancel or can’t attend a class, and we can’t transfer your booking to a different class/event. We hope this is understandable. If a class is cancelled or changed by ID however, we do offer refunds/transfers to everyone who has booked.
Yumino Seki is a UK based Japanese dance artist, Butoh practitioner and qualified somatic movement educator who performs, teaches and makes performances – often in collaboration with artists from diverse backgrounds.
Between 1999-2009 she performed extensively in Europe in Butoh predominantly with Mamu Dance Theatre (Tadashi Endo), TEN PEN CHii (Yumiko Yoshioka) both in Germany and Ariadone (Carlotta Ikeda) in France. In 2012 she qualified in VMI Somatic Practice with Patricia Bardi in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Since 2013 Seki has further developed her Butoh and somatic work and directed cross-discipline performances. Her work has been supported by Arts Council England, The Japan Foundation, Cairo, Japan society, Hastings Borough Council and many more.
Seki has expanded her collaborative work in theatre, music, film and visual art as live exhibitions including in Zadie Xa’s work at The National Gallery, London, 58th Venice Biennale, Art Night London, Dance International Glasgow & Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto.