Join us for a rare opportunity to see Vancouver's Kokoro Dance - one of the world’s most renowned Butoh companies - live in the stunning setting of our concrete spaces. Kokoro Dance will perform their iconic 2003 work ( ) (pronounced ‘brackets’). ( ) is a site specific performance with Kokoro founders Barbara Bourget and Jay Hirabayashi accompanied by the music of Icelandic rock group Sigur Ros.

This presentation is realised in collaboration with CGP London a non-profit contemporary art gallery set across two contrasting gallery spaces (The Gallery and Dilston Grove) in Southwark Park.

CGP London are currently showing artist Jonathan Baldock in his solo exhibition THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME. The exhibition includes a collaboration with Kokoro Dance. CGP London are thrilled to host Kokoro Dance for a series of special performances and partnerships across London this July.

( ) is a deeply moving piece that centres around a shallow grave, exploring life and death, departure and loss, love and resurrection. ( ) was originally commissioned for the InFrinGing Dance festival in Nanaimo, British Columbia, in 2003 by Holly Bright for the unusual setting of a climbing gym with gravel floor.

The music for ( ) is by Sigur Rós who have also composed for Merce Cunningham. Sigur Rós sing in a made-up language they call “Haplandic” that drifts towards sounding like English so as to convey hints of connotative meanings. The title of Kokoro’s work is taken from the title of Sigur Rós’ album. Sigur Rós gave no titles to the tracks of this album and no notes to the music. They prefer that their listeners make their own meaning for their music and lyrics, a preference Kokoro also share. Barbara Bourget and Jay Hirabayashi’s interest in dance is in the provocation of an emotional response rather than upon intellectual reflection.

Established in Vancouver in 1986, Kokoro Dance are one of the world’s leading Butoh dance companies, touring their productions internationally led by its founders Barbara Bourget and Jay Hirabayashi.

Butoh is a modern Japanese dance, an artistic aesthetic searching for one’s own original movement expression. Kokoro Dance’s Butoh is distinct and unique. It uses motion to express emotion, to create journeys that speak from the bodies of the dancers to the bodies of the audiences.

Please note that this performance is without intermission. Audience members are welcome to leave quietly for refreshments etc. and return to the performance at their leisure.

Doors open at 6:30pm

Access to Bold Tendencies by foot:
The car park is a short walk from Peckham Rye station. Turn left down Rye Lane (towards McDonalds), cross the road at the pedestrian crossing. Santander will then be on your right hand side and you should be facing the Multiplex cinema. Walk towards the cinema and turn right – here on your left you will find the staircase leading up to Bold Tendencies which is manned at all times.

Public transport:
The nearest train station is Peckham Rye
Overground Line from Highbury & Islington and Clapham Junction
South Eastern services from London Bridge and London Victoria
Local buses: 12, 36, 37, 63, 78, 171, 343, 363, 436

Vehicle access:
There is very limited Pay and Display parking on the ground floor of the site (accessible from Cerise Road off Hanover Park). We strongly advise that you do not arrive by car if possible, but if necessary see Southwark Council’s website for more information on local parking options.

Step free access:
Step free access is available via the lifts from the ground floor. We strongly advise that you arrange access in advance by emailing access@boldtendencies.com, however this can also be arranged with the security team at the main entrance on arrival.

For further information or questions please email info@boldtendencies.com

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