Skin Deep

sarAika movement collective
by Robin Michals

SKIN DEEP

SKIN DEEP

explores love, tenderness,
and resilience
between two women

DESCRIPTION

“Skin Deep” is a dance performance that explores how creativity can advance justice for queer love. The duet, performed and choreographed by Sara Pizzi and Aika Takeshima—two queer immigrant women artists—addresses themes drawn from their personal LGBTQIA+ experiences. It celebrates women and women in power while reflecting on identity and social justice. Rooted in love, the piece culminates with love as its central theme. It portrays queer love between two women in all its diverse forms, highlighting tenderness, acceptance, and resilience in the face of adversity. Through subtle gestures, touch, and eye contact, the performance delves into deep explorations of identity and love.

“Skin Deep” also examines human attraction and the emotional isolation felt by those unable to express themselves freely. The dance conveys a profound sense of loneliness, as if one has been “flung out of space.” When the two women ultimately find intimacy, it carries a sense of loss from the outside world, as if they have entered their own isolated realm. This depth makes the question, “What do these women see in each other?” resonate with complexity and meaning.

Queer love between two women

Cast & Crew

Sara Pizzi

Choreographer & Dancer

Aika Takeshima

Choreographer & Dancer

performance History

Review

“Skin Deep,” a new work by sarAika movement collective came second and time became heavy. By that I mean that I felt suspended in time with the dancers who performed an intimate duet on sapphic love. This duet between two female dancers, Sara Pizzi and Aika Takeshima, was deeply personal, durational, and captivating. As their bodies intertwined taking physical and emotional weight, I was met with a deep sense of longing that was present in their every move. The dancers’ skin glided over their combined collection of scapula, knee caps, ribs, and guts. They melded in and out of the floor and in and out of each other effortlessly, the only constant in their movement being their support for one another. The score was composed of light techno music rather than what may traditionally be considered romantic, and this juxtaposition provided a landscape of resilience both aurally and emotionally. It was as if they were the lone two dancers in a club just before closing sharing a moment in time and space that was tender and without restriction. The nonlinear nature of the piece beautifully articulates the love shared between two women, and encourages the viewer to question what their relationship to queer love can be.
Rush Johnston
Artistic Director. Kaleid Dance Collective

from This is SARAIKATIA 1/18/2025

Gallery

gallery

by Robin Michals

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