ARIKA
04–05.04.2025 | 6PM–7PM
In Japanese without surtitles
F Hall Studio, Tai Kwun
$280
Remarks
- Duration: approximately 1 hour
- Recommended for ages 6 and above
- No latecomers will be admitted
- Programmes are subject to change without prior notice. Tai Kwun reserves the right to make the final decision regarding the arrangements.
Yasutake and I met by chance at a time when we were both seeking inspiration from different areas of expression and searching for new creative possibilities. The natural exchange of ideas became the starting point for this work. The title “ありか (Arika)” has multiple meanings, such as “origin” and “whereabouts,” and contains the nuance of exploring the beginning of things and their whereabouts.
We approached this project in the form of constant dialogue while respecting each other's field, but without being bound by fixed roles. The rapper dances and the dancer sings. We viewed all aspects of each other's performance as physical expression and sought a form of performance without roles or barriers.
We are very happy to present our experiment, “Arika,” in Tai Kwun, a place with rich history and culture. We hope that the audience in Hong Kong will feel the fresh energy and the expanding possibilities of dialogue that emerge at the intersection of dance and rap, two different forms of expression. We are truly looking forward to sharing the universality of art and the joy of exchanging our cultures with each other through this performance.
TAMAKI Roy
“The essence of dance, music, and words is all about communication." Japanese dancer Yasutake Shimaji and rapper Tamaki ROY aim to generate new collisions between independently evolving elements. "Our biological instinct is to communicate, and I always remind myself of this simple principle," ROY said. This highly experimental work originates from the duo's inquiry into the roots of art and their relentless exploration and refinement of its fundamentals.
Shimaji explains that his creative drive begins with a curiosity about how the body operates: "I am always questioning what drives the body. Despite working in different fields, meeting someone like ROY, who shares this curiosity, led to the creation of ARIKA." For Shimaji, this work is like a fountain of personal experiences, formed through a cyclical process of extraction, research, and reassembly. ROY recalls their first encounter in 2013:
"Shimaji's physical expression intersected with my approach to words and music, creating a new space for artistic creation."
Reflecting on past influences, Shimaji mentions his training with the Forsythe Company: "It taught me to constantly overturn fixed mindset. So now, whenever I discover a better idea, I adjust the structure of my work immediately." ARIKA is primarily improvisational, making each performance a unique dialogue. ROY emphasises their shared creative awareness: "We strive to create something that defies categorisation—something entirely new." From the dancer's improvised movements to the rapper's free-flowing rhythms, these two distinct artistic languages collide and inspire each other.
Shimaji notes the commonalities between improvisational dance and rap: "The fluid interplay of imagery, language, and the body dissolves the boundaries between fields." ROY openly acknowledges the challenges of reconciling their differences: "We spent a significant amount of time exploring methods of creation, and ongoing dialogue was the key to breakthroughs." Shimaji highlights the beauty of ambiguity: "Boundaries are inherently blurred, and it’s in those ambiguous spaces that intrigue emerges. My work is about building bridges and inviting the audience to enjoy the pleasure of association."
Regarding the role of the audience, Shimaji likens it to a "zoo without cages," while ROY hopes to share the visceral thrill of improvisation. This decade-long dialogue has witnessed the journey of these two artists, from their first meeting to their creative symbiosis. In the experimental realm of ARIKA, the spontaneous interplay of bodily movement, music, and words is redefining the artistic dimensions of "communication."
© Naoshi HATORI
Direction, Choreography and Performance:
- SHIMAJI Yasutake
Direction, Composition and Performance:
- TAMAKI ROY
Sound Design:
- Naoto OKA
Production Manager:
- Yoshinori SEKOGUCHI
Stage Manager:
- Takeshi MINE
Lighting:
- Akari TAKAMI
Sound Operator:
- Akinobu ADACHI
Producer:
- Eri KARATSU
Tour Coordinator:
- Marika NIKO
Planning and Production:
- Aichi Prefectural Art Theater
Cooperation:
- Dance Base Yokohama
© ryu endo
From 2006 to 2015, Shimaji danced with The Forsythe Company. With Hana Sakai, he formed Altneu. He starred alongside Tamaki ROY in ARIKA, produced by Aichi Prefectural Art Theater, which toured extensively in Japan and abroad. As a co-production between Aichi Prefectural Art Theater and Dance Base Yokohama, he directed and performed AINOTE, his second work with Tamaki ROY, and choreographed Dance for Pleasure.
Tamaki mainly produces music works using rap. He has released six music albums so far and has performed in various music festivals across Japan and internationally. On stage, he has created music and performed in Toshiki Okada's THE VACUUM CLEANER (KAAT Kanagawa Arts Theatre) and performed with Yasutake Shimaji in ARIKA produced by Aichi Prefectural Art Theater, and AINOTE co-produced by Aichi Prefectural Art Theater and Dance Base Yokohama.
吸う 吐く 呼吸
SUU, HAKU, KOKYU
Inhale, exhale, breath
1,2,3,4 リズム
ICHI,NII,SAN,SHI,RHYTHM
1,2,3,4 rhythm
朝夜 東西 太陽月 上弦 下弦 半月 満月 満ちて欠ける
ASA YORU,HIGASHI NISHI,TAIYO TSUKI, JYOUGEN,KAGEN,
HANGETSU, MANGETSU,MICHITE KAKERU
Morning and night, east and west, the sun and the moon, waxing moon, waning moon, half moon, full moon, waxing and waning
海 干潮と満潮 潮の満ち引き
UMI,KANCHO TO MANCHO,SHIO NO MICHI HIKI
ocean, low tide and high tide, ebb and flow
男性 女性 毎月 月経 経血 赤血球 白血球 静脈 動脈
DANSEI,JYOSEI,MANGETSU,GEKEI,KEIKETSU,SEKKEKYU,HAKKEKYU,JYOMYAKU,DOMYAKU
men, women, monthly, menstruation, menstrual blood, red blood cells, white blood cells, vein, artery,
酸素 二酸化炭素
SANSO NISANKATANSO
oxygen, carbon dioxide,
右心室 左心室 心臓 拍動
USHINSHITSU,SASHINSHITSU,SINZO,HAKUDO
right ventricle, left ventricle, heart, pulsation,
1,2,3,4 リズム 時間
ICHI,NII,SAN,SHI,RIZUMU,JIKAN
1,2,3,4 rhythm, time
1秒 60個 1分 60個 1時間
ICHI BYO,ROKUJU KO,IPPUN,ICHIJIKAN
1 second, 60 pieces, 1 minute, 60 pieces, 1 hour,
24個 1日 7個 1週間 4個 1ヶ月 12個 1年
NIJUYONKO,ICHINICHI,NANAKO,ISYUKAN,YONNKO,IKKAGETSU,JYUNIKO,ICHINEN
24 pieces, 1 day, 7 pieces, 1 week, 4 pieces, 1 month, 12 pieces, 1 year,
100個 1世紀 21個 21世紀 現在
HYAKKO,ISSEIKI,NIJYUISSEIKI,GENZAI
100 pieces, 1st century, 21 pieces, the 21st century, present
話しだす
HANASHIDASU
Start talking
気付く 時間はリズム 太陽 昇り 沈む
KIZUKU,JIKAN WA RIZUMU,TAIYO,NOBORI,SHIZUMU
Notice, time is rhythm, the sun rises and sets,
夜から朝 朝から夜
YORU KARA ASA ,ASA KARA YORU
From the night to the morning, the morning to the night,
光から影 欠けた月が満ち また欠ける
HIRU KARA KAGE,KAKETA TSUKIGA MICHI,MATA KAKERU
From the light to the shadow, the waning moon waxing and waning again
海が引っ張られて満ちて弾く オスもメスも
UMI GA HIPPARARETE MICHITE HIKU,OSU MO MESU MO
The ocean to be pulled and filled and bounce, both male and female
互いを抱き寄せ 胸に耳をあて鼓動を聴く
TAGAI WO DAKIYOSE,MUNE NI MIMI WO ATE KODO WO KIKU
Hold each other, listen to the heartbeats with the ear on the chest
いつも息をする 1 2 1 2
ITSUMO IKI WO SURU,ICHI,NI,ICHI,NI
Breathe always 1212
規則的にやってくる繰り返し
KISOKUTEKI NI YATTEKURU KURIKAESHI
Repetition that comes in order
大事だからもう一度繰り返し
DAIJIDAKARA MOUICHIDO KURIKAESHI
It's important so repeat again
二つの拍 繋がりを持った
FUTATSU NO HAKU,TSUNAGARI WO MOTTA
Two beats are connected
言葉は音楽へ変わった
KOTOBA WA ONGAKU E KAWATTA
Words turned into the music
そして音に戻り 時と場に融け
SOSHITE OTO NI MODORI,TOKI TO BA NI TOKE
And return to the sound, melt into the time and place
時と場は 物語を紡いでる
TOKI TO BA WA,MONOGATARI WO TSUMUIDERU
The time and place spin a tale
さようなら
SAYOUNARA
goodbye
goodbye
GOODBYE
goodbye
都市のアスファルトの上 自転車で駆ける
TOSHI NO ASUFARUTO NO UE,JITENSYA DE KAKERU
Riding a bicycle on the city asphalt
冷えてかじかんだ手に はっと息かける
HIETE KAJIKANDA TE NI,HATTO IKI KAKERU
Blow on to the cold hands
何かをするため どこかへ出かける
NANIKA WO SURUTAME,DOKOKA E DEKAKERUI
To do something, go somewhere
やることすんだら おうちへ帰る
YARUKOTO SUNDARA,OUCHI E KAERU
When it’s done, go home
うちについたら ご飯食べて シャワー 浴びる
UCHI NI TSUITARA,GOHAN TABETE SYAWA ABIRU
When back home, eat and take a shower
ビール 夜から昼夜 ねて起きて動く ごくごく 普通の毎日過ぎていく
BIRU,YORU KARA HIRU YORU,NETE OKITE UGOKU,GOKU GOKU,FUTSU NO MAINICHI SUGITEIKU
Beer, night and day and night, sleep, get up and action
Devour, ordinary days passing
わずかに紫がかった 深い闇の片隅に
In a corner of the purplish deep darkness
小さなシロツメクサを見た
I saw a small white clover
いつからか明滅していたであろう光
Light would have been flickering for a while
ゆっくりだが少しづつ大きさを増し
Slowly but gradually increase in the size
静かに森の入り口をみいだした
of forest entrance which was quietly found
たしかめるように歩みを進め
I walk forward to make sure
ときおり 立ち止まり しばし 真下を見つめた
Sometimes I stop and stare underneath
こがねの断片がひらひらと空(くう)を舞い折り重なる
Golden fragments flutter in the air and make layers
いくつもの一緒を束ね 瞳の奥に置かれていた出口を目指す
Bind together and aim the exit where is placed in the deep eyes
もろい鉛が円を描く
Brittle lead draws a circle
記憶と記憶の共鳴 車輪は廻る
Resonance of memories, wheels spin
見飽きることを恐れ 壊れたわだかまりを
Be fearful of getting bored, broken pieces of anxiety to be
朝と夜のはざまへと放った
released beyond the border of day and night
凪は風へと変わる さざなみが騒ぐ
Calm air turns to the wind, it makes ripple
砂に触る
Touch the sand
湿っていた鳥の羽が乾く
Damp feathers dry
長く伸びた影と呼吸を合わす
With long stretched shadow, match up the breathing
かわるがわる 太陽と月 移り変わる
Alternately, the sun and the moon, changes
思いには いつのまにか 名前がついた
The thoughts have a name without intention
名前はカタチとなる
The name forms shape
だれもがここでは幕引きの前にまたたく
Anyone at here, shines and flickers before its end
ガラスさえも 長い時間をかけて とけてしまうように
as if and even the piece of glass melts in a long time
どうもありがとう
DOUMO ARIGATOU
Thank you very much
この声を聴いてくれる態度
KONO KOE WO KIITEKURERU TAIDO
Your attitude of listening this voice
幾重にも折り重なってややこしやなマインド
IKUENIMO KASANATTE YAYAKOSHIYANA MAINDO
Complicated mind which is folded multiple times
お互いの思い込みや決めつけを排除
OTAGAI NO OMOIKOMI YA KIMETSUKE WO HAIJYO
Eliminate each other's assumptions and judgement
できたなら歪曲は消えて 太陽
DEKITANARA WANKYOKU WA KIETE,TAIYO
If possible, erase distortion, the sun
空にあることよくわかる
SORA NI ARUKOTO YOKU WAKARU
It is clear that it exists in the sky
最高 雲は真っ白
SAIKO,KUMO WA MASSHIRO
It’s great, the cloud is pure white.
生きてるものたちだけの体温
IKITERU MONOTACHI DAKENO TAION
Body temperature is only for living creatures
リズムのなかにいるいのち
RIZUMU NO NAKA NI IRU INOCHI
Life in the rhythm
学んでる慈悲 あるいは祈り
MANANDERU JIHI,ARUIWA INORI
Learning mercy or prayer
一人で生まれ一人で死ぬけど
HITORI DE UMARE HITORI DE SHINUKEDO
All is born alone and die alone
いつもお母さんたちは身籠り
ITSUMO OKAASANTACHI WA MIGOMORI
Always, mothers bore a child
21世紀ですね こんにちは
NIJYUISSEIKI DESUNE,KONNICHIWA
Hello, it is the 21st century
はじめから知ってたことを想う
HAJIMEKARA SHITTETAKOTO O OMOU
Think what we all knew from the beginning
思い出す 期待でも諦めでもない
OMOIDASU,KITAIDEMO AKIRAMEDEMO NAI
Recalling, it is neither expectation nor surrender
いまここに在るための方法
IMA KOKO NI ARUTAME NO HOUHOU
It is the way to be here now
どういたしまして
DOUITASHIMASHITE
You are welcome
対話のために整える姿勢
TAIWANOTAMENITOTONOERUSHISEI
Posture to prepare for the dialogue
往復するやりとり
OUFUKUSURUYARITORI
Correspondences
けしてできない一人で
KESHITEDEKINAIHITORIDE
It can’t be done alone
誰もが内に持つ見えない火をみてる
DAREMOGAUCHINIMOTSUMIENAIHIWOMITERU
Everybody glares at the invisible inner flame
そしてみつめあって
SOSHITEMITUMEATTE
And gaze at each other
みつけあいながら進む同じ時の流れ
MITSUKEAINAGARASUSUMUONAJITOKINONAGARE
As gazing proceed, time flows in same direction
いまいけるとこまで着いたら別れ
IMAIKERUTOKOMADETSUITARAWAKARE
When it reaches to the place as far as you could go, farewell
今度 別の機会にまたね
KONDO,BETSUNOKIKAINIMATANE
Have another chance, next time
もののあはれの中で幸せを知る
MONONOAWARENONAKADESHIAWASEWOSHIRU
Find happiness in the pathos of things
構え 言葉の種を蒔く
KAMAE,KOTOBANOTANEWOMAKU
Be ready, sow the seeds of words
そのビートは大地
SONO BEAT WA DAICHI
The beat is the earth
マジックのように果実が産まれる
MAGIC NO YOUNI KAJITSU GA UMARERU
Like a magic, fruit grows ripe
全身の表情を追いかけて
ZENSHIN NO HYOUJYO WO OIKAKETE
Chase the whole body expression
失くしてしまうまで伝え合ってる
NAKUSHITESHIMAUMADE TSUTAEATTERU
Tell each other until it is lost
はじめから知ってたことを思い出す
HAJIMAKARA SHITTETAKOTO WO OMOIDASU
Recall the things that we knew from the beginning
いまここに必要な関係性
IMAKOKONI HITSUYONA KANKEISEI
The relationship which is necessary at here right now