As part of the “Choreography filmed: 5days of movement” project, YCAM co-produced a videodance piece with dancer/choreographer Tsuyoshi Shirai, with the intention to develop a new artistic format focusing on current forms of body expression and video culture. How can we interpret “dance on film” that emerges as a product of filming and editing footage of a dancer’s body? The project included the production of the video “mass, slide ,&  . in frames” based on the concept behind “mass, slide ,&  .”, one of Shirai’s most acclaimed dance pieces (first performed in 2004), along with various other investigations into contemporary notions of dance from the perspective of viewing/production environments in the realm of imagery today. The production of the videodance piece comprised the processes of filming, live Internet streaming, and editing by the artist himself, followed by a screening event that took place with special guests discussing the project from the history of video and dance, as well as current trends in video culture. Finally, this website was set up as an environment for viewing the finished video along with all unused footage. Originating from a videodance piece, the Internet-based project was designed to take a multilateral approach to examining the contemporary relevance of creating and experiencing imagery, while focusing on the idea of a “work” as a broader concept that includes the respective environments. How is the body portrayed through moving images going to be presented in the future? And what kind of transformation is going to occur in the perceiving body? This project might help magnify the “convulsion” that is presently shaking the realm of expression through imagery and the human body. *The title reflects the project’s aim to examine the dancer’s movements and aspects of choreography in video images, and explore contemporary possibilities of “imagery and the human body”.

“mass, slide ,&  . in frames” by Tsuyoshi Shirai (2011, commissioned by YCAM)
Direction/Choreography/Editing/Dance: Tsuyoshi Shirai
Music/ Sound effects: Dill

• Camera operation and Assistant direction: Ryuichi Maruo (YCAM)
• Video techniques: Shunsuke Takawo
• Sound recording and mixing: Satoshi Hama (YCAM)
• Stage coordination: Takuro Iwata (YCAM)
• Lighting: Fumie Takahara (YCAM)
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• Web planning and development: METAPHOR inc.
• Public relations: Fumi Hirota (YCAM)
• Production: Akiko Takeshita (YCAM), Naoko Shiomi (YCAM)
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• Special Thanks:
• “mass, slide ,&  .” (2004)
• Assistant direction: Katsuyuki Murakami
• Costume design: Mayu Sasajima
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• Organized by: Yamaguchi City Foundation for Cultural Promotion
• In association with: Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi City Board of Education
• Cooperation: HiWood
• Produced by: Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media [YCAM]