Asian performers of contemporary dance embody an inherent contradiction. With their Asian physiques and being raised in Asian cultures, they perform an art form that was pioneered by Isadora Duncan (1878-1927) and developed in the West.
But, bridging cultural divides, these Asian performers are well placed to create striking new forms of contemporary dance.
This realization led Keiko Takeya to create the Dance Eastern Wind series -- a collaborative project, begun in 1992, that draws together dancers, choreographers, musicians and even actors from Japan and other Asian countries.