The incredibly gifted Hiroshi Koike, famed for successfully staging the theatrical adaptation of ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’, now brings another Latin American classic to life. He steps into the breach once again with his innovative interpretation and unconventional expression in reconstructing ‘End of the World War’ in the form of a brand new stage play, ‘BREATH TRIPLE’.
Drawing upon the historical events of late 19th century Brazil, ‘BREATH TRIPLE’ unfolds the world from three perspectives – the religious group, the authorities, and the people. This is a unique opportunity to experience an integrated art spectacle woven with the threads of dance, music, Noh theatre, fine arts, and visual effects.
“In the midst of profound strategizing and deep chaos, with our backs against the grim specter of death, we find the world ever-evolving. Wars show no signs of ceasing, and the exponential progression of AI forces us to consider, ‘What truly defines a human?’ We must find ways to subdue conflict,” explains Hiroshi Koike.
Hiroshi’s new venture, the Odyssey project, is a co-venture of Bridge Project and EARTH+GALLERY. As a part of the participatory cultural project TOKYO MAZE, they will be featuring ‘BREATH TRIPLE’ with performances running from July 29 to August 9. Audience members will get to experience dance, Noh, fine arts, music, and video intersecting in a closely intertwined space, with limited seats available for each performance.
Hiroshi Koike, who propagated ‘Performing Arts’ in Japan with his 87 productions across 42 countries, is directing the performance. The show brings together acclaimed artists and musicians who have significantly impacted modern Japanese theater, dance, music, and the art scene, transcending genres and boundaries.
The stage will be adorned with the massive mural of artist Tohru Yamakami, a winner of the Tarō Okamoto Contemporary Art Award and Tokyo Midtown Award. His dynamic works have drawn attention from overseas. Alongside the performances, a solo exhibition of Tohru Yamakami will also be held at the gallery from August 10 to 25 as part of the TOKYO MAZE project.
The gallery space will be equipped with multiple projectors that the performers will skillfully manipulate with live cameras and pre-recorded footage. The boundaries between the stage, body, and imagery will dissolve, prompting an expansion of audience sensations. After the show, audience members will be invited to appreciate the stage art installations. There will also be talk shows with Hiroshi Koike, Tohru Yamakami, and special guests during the performance period.
As part of the experimental theatrical project ‘TOKYO MAZE’, slated until 2025, ‘BREATH TRIPLE’ will lay the creative groundwork for the co-production titled ‘Chapter 3: Firebird – Saudade in the MIRAGE’. This is an exciting collaborative enterprise between Japan and Brazil, featuring Brazilian and Japanese artists and staff.
The saga is inspired by a religious war that unfolded in the 1890s Brazil between a religious group of infamous thieves and the government, with others getting caught in between. Characters evolve and their names remain undisclosed, creating a puzzle-like structure. The battlefield now lies submerged under water.