Sound meets movement in ‘Resonant Bodies’
Blending cultures through performance
Japanese pianist Yukako Yamano and Namibian dancer Gift Uzera find harmony across cultures.
In an ambitious cross-cultural performance that promises to blur the lines between sound and movement, Japanese pianist Yukako Yamano and Namibian dancer Gift Uzera will share the stage in 'Resonant Bodies: In Motion, in Sound', an experimental showcase scheduled for today, 18 July, at the Goethe-Institut Namibia.
The event, which is free to the public, represents more than a performance; it is a conversation in motion, a fusion of contemporary sound and physical storytelling that crosses borders and traditions.
For Yamano, whose performances have spanned continents, the journey to Namibia has been both challenging and affirming.
“Embarking on a world tour comes with its own emotional and financial burdens,” she told tjil in an exclusive interview.
“But to see so many people attend the workshops and concerts here and leave smiling makes me feel that every struggle has led to this moment. It’s deeply inspiring.”
That inspiration is taking shape in her collaboration with Uzera, a partnership facilitated by the Goethe-Institut. The two artists have developed a unique stage dialogue that blends Yamano’s emotive piano with Uzera’s interpretive movement. “My music is an extension of who I am,” Yamano explained. “Gift interprets that in motion, giving it new life and dimension.”
Gratitude for the here and now
Describing the creative process behind the performance, Yamano likens it to navigating a shared vehicle.
“Whether you’re the engine or the brakes, you need everyone to keep moving forward,” she said. “This time, it feels like we’re not just in a car but in a brand-new, never-before-seen machine. And we’re just about to take off.”
The show integrates both traditional and contemporary elements, though Yamano resists rigid classifications. “Sometimes I wonder if I’m even a modern person,” she mused. “In a world where music is made digitally and shared instantly, I’m just grateful to be alive, to be playing, and to be here in Namibia.”
As her tour continues, Yamano sees enormous potential for deeper artistic ties between Japan and Namibia. “Unfortunately, many people in Japan still see Africa as a monolith. They don’t distinguish between its many unique countries,” she said. “But Namibia is a beautiful, vibrant place. I hope this performance not only opens hearts here, but also inspires curiosity back home in Japan.”
The event, which is free to the public, represents more than a performance; it is a conversation in motion, a fusion of contemporary sound and physical storytelling that crosses borders and traditions.
For Yamano, whose performances have spanned continents, the journey to Namibia has been both challenging and affirming.
“Embarking on a world tour comes with its own emotional and financial burdens,” she told tjil in an exclusive interview.
“But to see so many people attend the workshops and concerts here and leave smiling makes me feel that every struggle has led to this moment. It’s deeply inspiring.”
That inspiration is taking shape in her collaboration with Uzera, a partnership facilitated by the Goethe-Institut. The two artists have developed a unique stage dialogue that blends Yamano’s emotive piano with Uzera’s interpretive movement. “My music is an extension of who I am,” Yamano explained. “Gift interprets that in motion, giving it new life and dimension.”
Gratitude for the here and now
Describing the creative process behind the performance, Yamano likens it to navigating a shared vehicle.
“Whether you’re the engine or the brakes, you need everyone to keep moving forward,” she said. “This time, it feels like we’re not just in a car but in a brand-new, never-before-seen machine. And we’re just about to take off.”
The show integrates both traditional and contemporary elements, though Yamano resists rigid classifications. “Sometimes I wonder if I’m even a modern person,” she mused. “In a world where music is made digitally and shared instantly, I’m just grateful to be alive, to be playing, and to be here in Namibia.”
As her tour continues, Yamano sees enormous potential for deeper artistic ties between Japan and Namibia. “Unfortunately, many people in Japan still see Africa as a monolith. They don’t distinguish between its many unique countries,” she said. “But Namibia is a beautiful, vibrant place. I hope this performance not only opens hearts here, but also inspires curiosity back home in Japan.”
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