Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on June 2014
Madcap choreographer, dancer and actor Akaji Maro offers his latest twist on Japan’s avant-garde dance form butoh. Mushi no Hoshi means roughly “Insect Stars” and the work appears to have an outer space insectoid theme, a concept for which the music of alien-obsessed electronic music pioneer Jeff Mills should be perfectly suited. Founded by Maro in 1972, Dairakudakan practices under his theory of tempu-tenshiki, which holds that “being born in the world is a great talent itself.” Credited with bringing elements of theater to butoh, they have been a favorite overseas since shocking audiences at dance festivals in the ’80s.
