What this is
BlackBoxKyoto Opening Program presents a comprehensive retrospective of video works by Nao Yoshigai, a filmmaker and choreographer whose practice sits at the intersection of movement, cinema, and visual art. The program, titled 'Hotta Maru Biyori,' spans her career from early pieces to her most recent creations, offering a rare opportunity to trace her full artistic evolution in one curated setting. Yoshigai's work investigates the relationships between body, time, and space, treating video not merely as a recording medium but as a material with its own poetic and physical properties. This is the opening program of BlackBoxKyoto, a new intimate screening venue dedicated to experimental and artistic moving image work in Kyoto.
Who should go
This event is ideal for fans of experimental film, contemporary dance, and video art who are interested in work that blurs disciplinary boundaries. Those with an appreciation for Japanese contemporary performance and body-based art will find Yoshigai's retrospective particularly rewarding. The intimate screening environment suits thoughtful, attentive viewers rather than casual passersby. The program is divided into three separate sessions (A, B, C), so plan which program you want to attend in advance and arrive early as seating is limited.
Good to know
The program is divided into three separate sessions — A, B, and C — each with its own screening, and the venue operates on a strict complete-turnover (完全入替制) policy, meaning you must purchase a ticket for the specific session you wish to attend and cannot stay for multiple programs on one ticket. Tickets are likely available at the venue box office or through local Kyoto arts ticketing channels; as BlackBoxKyoto is a smaller independent venue, foreign credit cards may not be accepted at the door, so bring cash in yen to be safe. Given the intimate nature of a black-box screening space, seating capacity will be limited — arriving 15–20 minutes before your chosen program begins is strongly recommended to secure a good spot. Photography and video recording are almost certainly prohibited during screenings, as is standard for video art exhibitions of this nature.
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.