photos by momoko japan
Kenta Kojiri, widely acclaimed for his skill in classical ballet, went to Europe at the age of 18. There he launched his professional career, eventually becoming the first male Japanese dancer to join the contemporary dance company Nederlands Dans Theater, which was then under the direction of the internationally renowned choreographer Jiri Kylián. Since 2010, he has been a freelance dancer focusing on self-choreographed works, public performances and educational activities, while continuing to perform in productions in Japan and around the world.
Kojiri has been invited to share his talents at the Hara Museum for two events: a workshop in June and a dance performance in August entitled “Study for Self/Portrait”, in which the artist uses dance to create a portrait of himself.
Workshop: Drawing with the Body
June 17(Sat.) and 18(Sun.), 2017
In this workshop, participants will look at a landscape or a work of art, and then using their bodies, make a “sketch.” This workshop is open to all, including those with little exposure to dance.
photos by Ryu Endo
Workshop for Adults (Junior high school and above)
June 17 (Sat.) 2:00-3:30 pm (90 min.)
Fee: General 2,000 yen (includes museum admission) / Hara Museum members and up to 1 guest 1,800 yen
Workshop for Children (Elementary school age)
June 18 (Sun.) 10:30am-12:00pm（90 min.）
Fee: General 1,500 yen (includes museum admission) / Hara Museum members’ family (up to 2 children) 1,300yen
*Museum admission will be required for the accompanying adults.
Instructor: Kenta Kojiri / Capacity: 10 persons (reservation required)
Reservations required for all events. Please send an e-mail to event@haramuseum.or.jp. You will receive confirmation of your reservation by return mail.
Dance Performance: Study for Self/portrait
August 19 (Sat.) and August 20 (Sun.) 5:30 pm (Approximately 40 minutes)
Fee: General 3,000 yen (includes museum admission)/ Hara Museum members and up to 1 guest 2,800 yen (unreserved seating / reservation required)
Performance and composition by: Kenta Kojiri
Music: Yasuhiro Morinaga / Flyer design: Yusuke Kawamura / Photography: momoko japan / Documentary video: Isao Kanemaki
Reservations required for all events. Please send an e-mail to event@haramuseum.or.jp. You will receive confirmation of your reservation by return mail.
*Reservations accepted from July 20 (Thur.).
*Reservations closed.
*On 8/10 (Sat.) and 8/20 (Sun.), same-day tickets (standing-room, 3,000 yen) will be sold at the museum reception counter from 4:00 pm.
Kenta Kojiri (Dancer / Choreographer)
Kenta Kojiri received the Apprentice Scholarship at the Prix de Lausanne in 1999. He joined Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo and later Nederlands Dans Theater where he danced under the tutelage of the world renowned choreographer Jiří Kylián. From 2010, as a freelance dancer, he was invited to perform with various dancers and companies such as Kylián Productions, Sylvie Guillem, Noism and YCAM. With Rei Watanabe, Kojiri launched “Opto” to pursue activities centered on creation, performance and education. In 2016, he embarked on “Surface and Destroy”, a collaborative project with artists of his own generation, Yoko Sekiyama and Yasuhiro Morinaga. Kojiri has been artist in residence at the Kinosaki International Arts Center, lecturer at the Ballet School of the New National Theater, Tokyo, part-time lecturer at Showa University of Music and lecturer at the Expression-Strengthening Training Camp of the Japan Skating Federation.
*Ticket-holders may view Mercedes-Benz Art Scope 2015-2017: Wandering to Wonder on the day of the event (11:00-17:15). Pre-schoolers will not be permitted in the performance venue.