Fascination Shudan Kodo: Richard Siegal's unique dance installation!

Fascination Shudan Kodo: Richard Siegal's unique dance installation!

Lenbachhaus, München, Deutschland - on June 1, 2025, in the art building of the Lenbachhaus in Munich, the innovative video installation "Art.Live" by the American choreographer Richard Siegal will be presented. This 20-minute installation shows a fascinating combination of the Japanese "Shudan Kodo"-also known as Japanese Precision Walking-and newly choreographed elements. During the installation, which celebrated world premiere from the International Munich Dance Festival, 53 athletes from the Nippon Sports Science University and dancers of the Ballet of Difference are involved. The performances are characterized by synchronized movements that are reminiscent of bird swarms and at the same time cause associations to marches reports the Süddeutsche Zeitung .

Shudan Kodo has its origin in Japanese high school, where schoolchildren complete rigorous training in order to learn this precise, synchronous movements. The social background of this discipline aims to promote collective behavior in an emergency. Richard Siegal, who has been fascinated by this form of movement for around 15 years, visited Japan in 2022 to study the Shudan Kodo first-hand announces the Lenbachhaus .

fascination for collectivity

When researching for "Art.Live", Siegal addresses the individual's subordination to the collective in the digital age. The installation combines the characteristic movements of the Shudan Kodo with electronic sounds from Alva Noto as well as light and video designs by Matthias Singer and the Duo Lukas and Teresa Nikol. Different alienation effects are used to present the human body from different perspectives So the source continues .

The interdisciplinary collaboration between Richard Siegal, the Ballet of Difference and Synaesthetica was supported by the Yokohama International Performing Arts meeting. The video installation will be shown in the Lenbachhaus by June 15, 2025, admission is free also reports the Lenbachhaus .

Richard Siegal's return to Bavaria

In addition to his artistic work, Siegal plans to lead the ballet division of the Nuremberg State Theater from autumn. The newly formed ensemble will bear the name "State Theater Nuremberg Ballet of Difference" and start with six new productions. A move to the congress hall on the former Reich Party Day site is also likely to be sought Add newspaper .

The connection of collectivity, discipline and aesthetics in the Shudan Kodo not only illustrates the cultural roots of Japan, but also reflects on continuous developments in contemporary art. Japan has a long and diverse art tradition that shows itself in various areas such as ceramics, metal processing, textile art and garden art As can be read on japan.de .