Unsaid, Still Understood

sarAika movement collective contemporary dance company NY
by Robin Michals
sarAika movement collective contemporary dance company NY
by Tomohiro Oshima

Unsaid, Still Understood

Unsaid, Still Understood

This work is a requiem
for all the words left unspoken—
and a prayer for the love that,
despite everything,
truly existed.

DESCRIPTION

This duet tells the real story of two people—the artist and her mother, who passed away in May 2025—caught between stillness and collision, tenderness and violence, and a love that defies words.
Through movement that shifts from raw and forceful to fragile and delicate, the two dancers embody the subtle gradations of complex emotion.

It is a portrait of a heart torn between leaving and returning, of loving despite being hurt, and of the regret that comes when the final words come too late.
Each gesture, whether clashing or gently supportive, holds the weight of these emotions.

This work is a requiem for all the words left unspoken—and a prayer for the love that, despite everything, truly existed.

この新作デュエット作品は、静けさと衝突、優しさと暴力、そして言葉にできない愛が交錯する実在する二人(振付家と2025年5月に他界した母)のストーリです。 作品では、2人のダンサーが、時に荒々しく、時に壊れそうなほど繊細に動き、複雑な感情のグラデーションを身体で描き出します。 「去りたい」と「戻りたい」の間で揺れる心、傷つけられてもなお愛してしまうこと、そして最後の一言が遅すぎた後悔——そうした感情が、ぶつかり合いながらもそっと支え合う動きに込められています。 この作品は、言えなかったすべての言葉のための哀悼であり、それでも確かに存在していた愛のための祈りでもあります。

the love that, despite everything, truly existed

Cast

Aika Takeshima

Choreographer & Dancer

Sara Pizzi

Co-choreographer & Dancer

Mayu Uesugi (niconomiel)

Dancer (Original Cast)

Chizuru Kagi (niconomiel)

Dancer (Original Cast)

Aly Candland

Dancer

Avery Boose

Dancer

performance History

Gallery

gallery

by Robin Michals & Tomohiro Oshima

Review

あいかさんの真由さんらの作品が見応えありました。私には2人の関係が変わって(逆転?) いくところから段々母と娘の距離のなさゆえ引き起こされる葛藤のように見えてきました。娘が真由さんね。真由さんの魅力も相まって私なりにストーリーが見えてきて面白かったです。Aika-san’s piece with Mayu-san and the other dancer was truly captivating. To me, it felt like their relationship shifted—perhaps even reversed—and gradually revealed a kind of conflict born from the closeness between a mother and daughter. Mayu-san seemed to embody the daughter, and her unique presence brought the story to life in my own way, which made it all the more fascinating to watch.
Osaka International Contemporary Dance Festival Audience Review by Akiko Yasukawa
Choreographer/Instructor/Dance Artist

8/17/2025

アイカちゃんが振付をされた上杉先生千鶴先生の作品が泣くほど素敵でした。泣きました。出だしから「母娘かな……?」と感じ、最後まで私にとって完璧な素晴らしい作品でした。この作品を近距離で観られた事が本当にラッキーです。ありがとうございました。 The piece choreographed by Aika and performed by Uesugi-sensei and Chizuru-sensei was so beautiful it moved me to tears. From the very beginning, I felt, “Is this about a mother and daughter...?”—and to the end, it was a truly perfect and breathtaking work for me. I feel so lucky to have witnessed it up close. Thank you so much.
Osaka International Contemporary Dance Festival Audience Review

8/17/2025

上杉真由先生グループが、アイカさんの振り付けでこうも、踊りがかわるのか?!とびっくりしました。I was astonished by how Aika’s choreography revealed an entirely new dimension in Uesugi Mayu-sensei’s group.
Osaka International Contemporary Dance Festival Audience Review

8/17/2025

真由さんと鍵千鶴さんが踊られた作品は心に刺さりました。 自分自身に置き換えて考えさせられた。 母をもっと大事にしないと。 The piece danced by Mayu and Chizuru truly pierced my heart. It made me reflect on myself—and reminded me that I need to cherish my mother more.
Osaka International Contemporary Dance Festival Audience Review

8/17/2025

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