1.
Eiko and Koma
Biography
Eiko & Koma were born in Japan and studied law and political science respectively
before joining the Tatsumi Hijikata dance-company in 1971 in what started as an experimental
collaboration. In 1972, their collaboration had transformed into an exclusive partnership and they
felt that they could choreograph and perform as individual artists in Tokyo. During the same
year, they travelled to Hanover in Germany to explore Neue Tanz, the German modern dance
movement propelled by their interest in non-verbal theater. In a span of two years they had
travelled extensively in Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Tunisia and had attained
great skills in choreography and movement. They later travelled to America and made their first
American performance, White Dance in May 1976. Since then, they have made many
outstanding choreographic works which have been exhibited at theaters, universities among
many other occasions including numerous appearances at the American Dance Festival and
five seasons at BAM's Next Wave Festival. Hitherto, Eiko and Koma have created their own
movement, set, costumes and sound.