Ushio Amagatsu

Biography

• In 1949, born in Yokosuka, Japan
• In 1972, co-founded Dairakudakan
• In 1980, the first performance abroad and the first world tour.
• In 1989, appointed to the artistic director of the Spiral Hall in Tokyo.
• In 1992, presided the Jury of the International Meeting of Dance of Bagnolet.
• from 2002 to 2005, president of judge for "Toyota Choreography Award"

  Works

• In 1977, created Amagatsu Sho
• In 1978, created Kinkan Shonen
• In 1979, created Sholiba
• In 1981, created Bakki, which premiered at Festival d'Avignon, France
• In 1982, created Jomon Sho
• In 1984, created Netsu no Katachi
• In 1985, direction and choreography for the photo book Luna
• In 1986, created Unetsu - The Egg stands out of Curiosity
• in 1987, direction and choreography for the photo book The Egg stands out of Curiosity
• In 1988, created Shijima - The Darkness Calms Down in Space
• In 1988, created Fushi on the invitation of Jacob's Pillow Foundation, in the U.S., music by Philip Glass, premiered at Spiral Hall, Tokyo.
• In 1989, directed Apocalypse, music by Takashi Kako, dance by Ismael Ivo, premiered at Spiral Hall, Tokyo.
• In 1989, directed and choreographed Fifth-V for six American dancers, premiered at Spiral Hall, Tokyo.
• In 1991, created Omote - The Grazed Surface
• In 1993, created Yuragi - In a Space of Perpetual Motion
• In 1995, created iyomeki - Within a Gentle Vibration and Agitation
• In February 1997, directed Bartok's opera Bluebeard's Castle, conducted by Péter Eötvös for the Tokyo premiere.
• In 1997, directed a concert of Takashi Kako Iro wo Kasanete, at Park Tower Hall, Tokyo.
• In 1998, created Hibiki - Resonance from Far Away
• In March 1998, at Opéra National de Lyon, France, he directed Péter Eötvös' opera Tri sestry. The opera was also presented in the 2001/02 season at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, at Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels, and at the 2002 Wiener Festwochen in Austria.
• In 2000, created Kagemi - Beyond the Metaphors of Mirrors
• In 2003, created Utsuri - Virtual Garden
• In 2005 re-created Kinkan Shonen. Amagatsu's solo parts of the original version are performed by three young dancers.
• In 2006, created Toki - A moment in the weave time
• In 2008, created Tobari - As if in an inexhaustible flux
• In 2008, created Utsushi, which is a collage from past works. Amagatsu doesn't dance in this one.
• In 2010, created Kara・Mi - Two Flows

  Awards and recognition

• In 1992, Amagatsu was awarded the "Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres" by the French Ministry of Culture.
• In 1998, Péter Eötvös’s opera "Three Sisters", which directed by Amagatsu, received "Prix du Syndicat de la critique, France".
• In February 2002, "Hibiki" won the 26th Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production.
• In March 2004, Amagatsu was awarded "Geijutu Sensho Prize ", by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology of Japan, for his outstanding artistic achievement.
• In 2007, "TOKI" received "Grand Prix of the 6th The Asahi Performing Arts Awards" and Sankai Juku received "Kirin Special Grant for Dance."
• In 2008, Péter Eötvös’s opera "Lady Sarashina", which directed by Amagatsu, received "Prix du Syndicat de la critique, France" again.

  Books, photo books and other references

• "Luna" diredted and choreographed by Ushio Amagatsu, feat. Sayoko Yamaguchi and Sankai juku.
• "The Egg stands out of Curiosity" diredted and choreographed by Ushio Amagatsu