Through his ability to imagine and construct entire artistic ecosystems in which dance is the central element of a larger visual and sensory experience, Saburo Teshigawara has inspired several generations of artists. Also a painter, draftsman, opera director, and author of installations and films, Teshigawara was born in Japan in 1953 and began his career in Tokyo after studying the plastic arts and classical ballet. To date, the artist is regarded as one of the leading contemporary choreographers and dancers internationally. Over more than four decades of activity, his many prestigious awards include the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Biennale and the title of Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of the French Republic.

A dancer and choreographer, Rihoko Sato is one of the central figures in Teshigawara’s creative universe. She joined his company KARAS in 1996 and has since participated as a performer and artistic collaborator in all of the Japanese choreographer’s productions. Over the years, she has received the Ballet 2000 Award as best dancer, the Japan Dance Forum Award, and the Japanese Ministry of Culture’s Art Encouragement Prize.