Anatomy of the Dream: Shojo-Midare—A Film The gaze of an Italian director met the space-time of Noh
The scene of this encounter was the Setagaya Art Museum in Tokyo. In October 2021, in the entrance hall of the museum, a space that has hosted over the years a series of performative events searching for new paths in expressive languages, a rare international collaboration took place. Luca Veggetti, an Italian choreographer and director with a deep knowledge of Japanese culture, staged one of the most important works from the repertoire of Noh: Shojo- Midare, with Nagayama Keizo, Kanze Tetsunojo and Okura Genjiro who, while standing at the very top of this theatrical tradition, supported the director’s vision with great understanding for his endeavors. Veggetti’s essential staging, based on a precise use of light and shadow, reshaped the performance of the orginal Noh while keeping intact the splendid beauty of its form. By amplifying a creative potential built upon many centuries of tradition, the staging aimed at opening the door to another dimension. Here is the film of this rare event. In no way it is the simple documentation of it, rather, its filmic expression and as such an artwork in its own right. Together with Sugita Kyoshi and Iioka Yukiko, the director and the cinematographer who have attracted national and international attention with their clear and poetic style, Veggetti, an artist with a profound interest in the art of film, leads us inside an intense dream.
Anatomy of the Dream: Shojo-Midare Concept and direction: Luca Veggetti
Lighting object design: Yoshida Moe Lighting: Tomiyama Takayuki Stagehand/Performer: Sato Miyuki Stagehand: Kawachi Takashi Photography: Imai Tomoki Special thanks to: Oda Seiji
Curated and produced by: Tsukada Miki (Setagaya Art Museum) Production assistants: Yoshida Emi Suzuki, Teriha (Setagaya Art Museum) Production cooperation: NPO Arts Network Japan In collaboration with: Tessenkai Under the patronage of: Italian Cultural Institute Organized by: Setagaya Art Museum (Setagaya Arts Foundation)
