ABOUT
Hiroshi Koike Bridge Project - ODYSSEY
In May 2012, Hirofumi Koike, founder and director of the stage arts company Papa Tarahumara, which had been active for 30 years, launched the “Hirofumi Koike Bridge Project” in June of the same year.
In addition to stage productions, the project engages in multifaceted communication utilizing various media such as film, photography, installation, and writing.Through events, lectures, workshops, and educational programs, the project aims to cultivate individuals capable of “thinking through the body,” fostering a comprehensive vision to bridge worlds, eras, and cultures as an art project active on the global stage.
*Renamed “Hiroshi Koike Bridge Project – ODYSSEY” in June 2023
Representative: Hiroshi Koike
Established: June 2012
MISSION
Founding Philosophy
We are currently in a period of great change. Therefore, what we should value most is “artistic thinking.” This can also be rephrased as “creativity and exploration from a global perspective,” which comes from reexamining ‘primordiality’ and “historicity.” The “Hiroshi Koike Bridge Project” centers on the keyword “creating something never seen before” and aims to become a “bridge between the world” through three activities: “creation,” “education,” and “communication.”By connecting the diverse vectors between people, regions, cultures, societies, the past, present, and future, we aim to create a platform that will help us overcome the current challenges and build a new era.
PROFILE
Hiroshi Koike
Spatial designer, writer, choreographer, film director, and representative of “School of Performing Arts”
Born in Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture. Graduated from Hitotsubashi University.
Founder and director of “Papa Tarahumara (1982–2012)” and “HIROSHI KOIKE BRIDGE PROJECT – ODYSSEY (2012–present)”
Created over 90 works spanning genres such as theater, dance, visual arts, and music across 18 countries. Has performed in 42 countries.
Collaborated with artists from various countries on works and productions, directed performances commissioned from around the world, and conducted numerous workshops for both professionals and amateurs.
He has served as the director of Tsukuba Performing Arts, chairman of the Asian Performing Arts Forum, member of the Japan Foundation’s Special Donation Review Committee, and professor at Musashino Art University.
Publications:
“Long Goodbye: Papa Tarahumara and His Era” (2011, Seigensha)
“Listening to the Voice of the Body” (2013, Shinchosha)
“New Performing Arts Theory: 21st Century Fūshi Kadenshō” (2017, Suiseisha)
“Night, Words, and a Journey to the End of the World: Works of Hiroshi Koike” (2018, Suiseisha)
LINKS: Radio / NHK Link / Newsletter Registration / note
Press kit
If you would like a press kit, please click on the link below.
When requesting a press kit, please be sure to include the title of the work, the photographer’s credit, the name of the media outlet, and a link to the publication.
Activities
Training Program
This comprehensive project, led by director Hiroshi Koike, who has produced works in 18 countries, staged performances in 42 countries, and collaborated with over 500 foreign artists in the context of international performing arts, provides training and production opportunities for young Japanese artists and staff to become active both in Japan and abroad.Centered on Koike’s highly acclaimed creative approach to creating unique and innovative performance environments, the project aims to elevate the technical skills and perspectives of participating artists to international standards. This initiative will lay the groundwork for Japanese young performing artists to make a significant impact on the global stage and maximize their potential.
Participating artists include: Wataru Yamagami, Hiraya Imai, Ichiyama Nishikawa, Takuya Ikeno, Makki Sakurai, Maika Tsuyama, Yutaka Ota, Tomoya Kishimoto, Seiichiro Mori, Takayuki Tomiyama, Marie Kuroda, Noriko Ito
Workshop
Workshops led by spatial designer Hiroshi Koike are characterized by their ability to ultimately produce a single work of art in any environment. We call these “creative workshops” because they draw out the individuality, expressiveness, and creativity of each participant while making the most of the characteristics of the local area. We also organize workshops led by artists active in Japan and overseas. These workshops cover a wide range of topics, including not only the body but also music and costumes, and can be incorporated into corporate training programs and school curriculums.
Performance for children
With the belief that education for the next generation is essential for the development of arts and culture, we conduct performances and workshops for kindergarteners and elementary school students. Exposure to authentic art during childhood is a lifelong asset. Through performing arts, we aim to leave a lasting impression on children, encourage them to ask questions about the world and themselves, and provide them with the opportunity to experience the beauty of music and spatial art.
Performance実績: Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art (Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture), Nagakute City Cultural Center (Nagakute City, Aichi Prefecture), elementary schools in Tokyo, kindergartens, and others.
Various comments on Hiroshi Koike's works
Hirokazu Kore-eda, film director
It was something that did not bring joy to those who saw it, a vulgar desire that could not be reduced to meaning and questioned meaning.
There was a refined rationality that seemed to accompany the quiet, deep emotions.
It was a form of physical expression that was different from that born of the body and sweat.
I think I saw the brain of Hirofumi Koike as a physical being there.
And that was the form of expression that I myself was aiming for.
Keiichiro Mogi, neuroscientist
Mr. Hiroshi Koike and Pappa Tarahumara have always been fighting against something away from home.
Normally, Japan would be considered home for them, but what makes Koike so amazing is that he chooses to treat his home country as an away game, and that is what I respect the most.