WORKS
DOUBLE BIND
Double Bind is a contemporary dance work that integrates spoken word, custom hair art, and costume design. The process has consisted of independent research, and interviewing folks from NYC, Italy, and Japan, to acquire a full scope of the cultural experience that women share in sarAika movement collective’s broad community. This allowed them to create an organic script that underlines and empowers women’s voices, in reference to the cascading events and harsh rhetoric that the women’s rights movement has faced over the past few years all over the world. As a collective, sarAika is composed of immigrants and queer women who through this work share their perspectives on the issue.
WHEN IS ENOUGH?
The duet WHEN IS ENOUGH? talks about the sensations of trying so hard and keep being refused, not accepted or included. Struggling between being truthful of your personal being and trying to blend-in for approval. Attempting to fit to be recognized and to feel part of something.. Those are common sensations which both Sara and Aika have been navigating recently, creating this piece in the hope to achieve some recognition, approval and a moment to be heard; dealing with personal conflits and achieving the final solution that we are not alone in this sensation and together we can find support and validation.
I CHOOSE MYSELF
The trio “I choose myself” created for the protest in dance “Our Bodies” by Creative Performances.
‘I choose myself” aims to generate conversation and spark growth in regards to toxic cultural forces that impair women’s lives, focusing on translating voices into movement from those who identify as or resonate with the qualities of being a woman, delivering a universal message of equity, diversity, inclusivity, and human connection.
This piece was ideated and created by Sara Pizzi & Aika Takeshima and choreographed in collaboration with dancers May Nakaya and Fautine Lavie.
CONTINUUM
“Continuum” a 5 min contemporary/conceptual dance piece, was performed as a work-in-progress on July 9th, 2023 at Styggbo choreographic residency workshop in Sweden curated by Julia Ehrstrand. It was created during the residency by sarAika movement collective’s founders Sara Pizzi and Aika Takeshima, performed by them with Sandy Albrecht, Ranvnvá Guõrunardóttir Niclasen, Anneloes Van Schuppen and Catrin Jonasson. “Continuum” rotates around the exploration of the three conceptual notions of:
- push, pull and release
- The tension created before an action and the eco of it and the end of the action
- SATORI expression for deep comprehension of life
L TRAIN
L TRAIN is an evening length contemporary dance work that involves seven dancers, four chairs, six acts, audio recording of the L Train MTA subway, spoken word, partnering, floorwork, improvisation,
storytelling, conceptual art, and street dance influences.
L Train speaks about us – about the uncomfortable common sensation that we are not in control of events. Even if one moment, right now, is precious, it will not last forever. Relationships, patterns, work, views, people, personalities, and thoughts are all subject to change. Where is the stability? Anything can change in a few seconds, with or without acknowledging it. At the end, life seems like the L train line: everyone goes in the same direction, but nobody has the same destination.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO LOVE ME, JUST ACCEPT ME
You don’t have to love me, just accept me(my existence).
I acknowledge we cannot agree with everything or everyone.
But We have to respect each other’s existence or boundaries.
We cannot hurt people. Hurting someone is meaningless.
Accepting everyone’s existence is called “coexisting”.
In this piece, We want to express this message:
“We are totally different, and this is our power and best quality, acceptance for diversity and exploring the unknown is what makes progress and beauty.”
BLOCKS
“BLOCKS” is a new kind of online live performance named – Joining Style Performance
We wanted to break the ordinary idea of performance transforming it in an interactive place to share and discuss concepts together. The performance was created for and with the audience. We improvised movement and words rotating around the concept of the children blocks game. We reacted to everything happening around us and the audience. We let audience, thoughts, dance, events guide us.
“WHO IS ART FOR?”
“WHO IS MY WORK FOR?”
WHY CAN WE DO IT HERE, BUT NOT THERE?
An improv-interactive performance in collaboration with Twisty Bonbon.
Trying to find a way that both you and others can shine, instead of pushing down each other. Each voice is valuable and important. This performance is made for and with you!
This is going to be our first session together. And, if we can make a good performance, can there be any hints that we can use in other everyday scenes? Or is it something that only we, as artists & art lovers, can do only in this space?
DIFFERENCES
“A special creation in Osaka, Japan with Miki Morishita.
Will they look like same as usual or not this time? Is “being different” good or bad? Pursuing the inquisitive mind and possibility of “difference”.
LET ME EASE OFF
A resident creation at DaBY (Dance Base Yokohama) during YPAM2022 (Yokohama International Performing Arts Meeting) .
When you don’t feel comfortable anymore…Rebuild your place in a way you’ve thought would be uncomfortable to you.
