From There

Overview

This work depicts the cries and prayers of people under oppression, accompanied by gospel music and the spirit of souls seeking freedom. Premiered in 1968, it was created in solidarity with Black Americans who, living amid discrimination, had the courage to take a step forward “from there,” and from the stirrings in the heart their music evoked. During one of their practices the dancers were playing a Negro Spirituals song, and a Black musician wandered into the dance studio drawn by the music. As the dancers were unfamiliar with it, the musician offered to let them touch his hips to feel the gait and rhythm as he walked. They then practiced until they were able to move in the same manner and rhythm.

- Arts Festival Commemorating the Meiji Centennial Anniversary
- The ACA National Arts Festival, The Enncouragement Award
- The image quality is poor due to the deterioration of the half-inch magnetic tape on which the footage was recorded.

Details

Title

From There

Performance creator(s)

Mieko Fuji Dance Company

Direction/Choreography

Creation and Composition: Mieko Fuji

Venue

Tokyo Koseinenkin Kaikan

Performance date(s)

27 November 1968

Performer(s) and staff

Dancers: Mieko Fuji, Yoko Hirayama, Fumiko Sekiyama, Kuniko Kiso, Emiko Inoue, Makiko Yamagata, Minako Manita, Fumiko Wada, Mieko Fuji Dance Company
Music Direction: Shoji Yamashiro
Lighting: Saburo Oba
Stage Design: Hisanori Fujimoto
Costume: Yoko Tashiro
Sound: Kenyu Okawara
Stage Manager: Minoru Seki

Organiser(s)

Organizer: Mieko Fuji Dance Company

Genre

Modern

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  Programme Note