Activity Report #10 of “Danstereportation

Interview with Kantou Mochizuki
(Interviewer: Kota Yamazaki)

Kota Yamazaki’s new project “Dance Teleportation,” based on the concept of “dialogue,” is underway.
Ms. Yamazaki and 11 performers are literally groping their way through the creative process under the new coronavirus epidemic.

Basically, a choreographer and a dancer create a work by sharing a place and time. Now that this is no longer possible, how can a choreographer establish a relationship with a dancer to create a work? We have named this challenge “Dance Teleportation” in the sense of exploring a way of dancing that transcends place and time.”
(Excerpted from Kota Yamazaki’s “Dance Teleportation” statement)

The creation process begins with Ms. Yamazaki interviewing each performer via video call. Next, Ms. Yamazaki sends the performers words inspired by the interviews. The performers then respond to Ms. Yamazaki by using the words as a starting point for their own creations.

In this issue, we present an interview with Mr. Hiroto Mochizuki.
I was impressed by the sincerity with which he spoke about his reasons for moving from classical ballet to contemporary dance and his life at the Corona Disaster.
(Text and editing by Taku Yoshida)

standing form of “mountain” character

How did you start dancing?

full moon

When I was three years old, a relative’s aunt opened a ballet school in my hometown, so I started attending there. Later, when I was in the second year of junior high school, I started attending another class and began to dance more seriously. After graduating from high school, I studied ballet at Showa University of Music Junior College and joined the Momoko Tani Ballet Company, which I belonged to for three years and am now a freelance dancer.
I became more involved in contemporary dance after meeting Kenta Komori and Nobuko Takahara in a college class.

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Why did you move from classical ballet to contemporary dance?

full moon

I think I wanted to exist and express myself as myself. In classical ballet, I am often needed as a person to play a role, but in contemporary dance, I feel that the dancer himself is needed.
I also find it interesting that each dancer or choreographer has a different idea of contemporary dance, and that any expression can be chosen depending on the situation, case, or idea at the time, without being bound by any framework.

standing form of “mountain” character

Do you have an interest in choreography?

full moon

Yes, there is.

standing form of “mountain” character

Then, what is the most important thing to you when choreographing?

full moon

I want to do choreography that respects the other person, choreography that exists for the reason that the dancer is who he or she is.

standing form of “mountain” character

I am rather the same type of person. However, if I put too much importance on it, it tends to become a work of art (laugh).
Do you want to create works of art?

full moon

That’s what I think.

standing form of “mountain” character

In my case, when I was in my 20s, I had no desire to create a work of art at all, but just wanted to continue dancing. However, when I turned 30, I began to feel that I wanted to create works since I am living my life through dance. I hope that you will continue to create more and more works and surprise the audience. I hope you will get such opportunities.

full moon

Yes, I am. I live in Kanagawa Prefecture and would like to be involved in Dance Base Yokohama activities.

standing form of “mountain” character

I hope you will do so.
Do you have a favorite dancer or choreographer?

full moon

Masahiro Yanagimoto’s choreography is fun to dance. I have a sense that things make sense when I am moving, which convinces me as a dancer, and I would like to master such movements as well.
I also saw Motoko Hirayama’s “Hybrid – Rhythm & Dance” at the New National Theatre, Tokyo, and felt strongly that I would like to participate as a dancer and spend the same time with her while dancing.

standing form of “mountain” character

Are there any changes in your feelings as a result of the new coronavirus epidemic?

full moon

My life has been based on standing on stage and dancing to an audience, so suddenly I couldn’t do that anymore, and I lost sight of why I was dancing. Since I had been living by dancing, I sometimes pondered about the meaning of life. I thought, “My real purpose is to be on stage. However, I am spending my time thinking that it is no use being stubborn in this situation.
As for my life now, I do training and barre lessons every other day, and the days I don’t dance are spent with my family or working. However, I am aware that I am only maintaining the status quo, not forgetting to dance, so I am glad to have the time to create and participate in this project.
Other than that, I try to contact and talk with non-family members at least once a day.
I still miss the time spent dancing in front of the mirror in the studio and the time spent dancing at skin-to-skin contact with someone.

standing form of “mountain” character

What do you imagine the situation will change in the future?

full moon

I am sure that everyone, not just me, will have changed as a result of this event, and I am sure that we will see changes in our communication as well.
In expressive activities, when dancing or creating artwork, I think we are being asked to deal with the event of the new coronavirus epidemic.

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What is the status of your future activities?

full moon

There are some rehearsals going on once a week at a rehearsal space within bicycling distance from my home, but whether or not I can do the show depends on what the theater can handle. in November, my company “Co. Yamada Un” is scheduled to perform.

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In “Dance Teleportation,” I will spell out words for you based on my impressions of you at rehearsals and other events, and inspired by these interviews, but it is easier to write when I know your background. So I would like to ask you a few questions.

full moon

This is the Grand Pier in Yokohama. I went there on an excursion in elementary school, and I have been there often when I was in junior high and high school and even as an adult. I like the view at any time of the day and can enjoy the changes depending on the season, whether there are events nearby or the wind feels different.

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Do you have a favorite book?

full moon

I have been reading a book titled “The Sixteen Living on a Deserted Island” (written by Kunihiko Sugawa, Shincho Bunko) from time to time since I was in elementary school. Recently, I have been interested in the science fiction novels of Philip K. Dick.

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What kind of music do you like? Sorry for all the questions (laughs).

full moon

No, no (laughs).
I listen to instrumental music a lot. Rather than listening to a particular genre or artist, I look up songs that interest me on the radio and listen to them intensively for a certain period of time.

standing form of “mountain” character

What is your impression of Nature?

full moon

I like nature. When I was in elementary school, I used to go camping with my family every weekend, and I also like to watch the fire, for example, by a bonfire.

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I am sorry to ask this so impolitely, but is there anything you value in life?

full moon

When I was a freshman in college, I was assisting Nobuko Takahara’s performance, and Tomohiko Tsujimoto, who came to see the performance, invited me to join, saying, “I’m looking for a male ballet dancer,” which further introduced me to the world of contemporary dance.
Without that encounter, I would have continued classical ballet, and it is because of that moment that I am speaking with Mr. Yamazaki, so I believe that encounters with people are important.

standing form of “mountain” character

I see. In my case, I am conscious of how I can create more moments of eternity every day.
Now, let me do an experiment that I have done in interviews with others. We ask you to close your eyes, touch your elbow, and then tell us what comes to mind the moment you open your eyes.

full moon

It’s “hard water” and “shaky soil.”

standing form of “mountain” character

It’s good. I was looking through the screen and got the feeling of dripping water.
Well, that’s all for this interview. Please wait a moment as we spell out the words and send them to you. Thank you very much for your time today.

full moon

We look forward to seeing you soon. Thank you very much.

How was the interview?
The next report will be an interview with Chiho Yokoyama.
Please continue to enjoy the dialogue between the dancers.

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