The theatrical company “contact Gonzo” creates works based on extreme physical contact where participants beat each other or collide forcefully. It has performed its shows in a range of private and public spaces beyond legitimate theaters, winning it acclaim as well in the contemporary art field. In this production, a mysterious sporting event suddenly kicks off in a 20,000-seat stadium. There seem to be rules, but they are not clearly delineated, giving the impression of a game in an uncharted civilization or a glimpse at an unknown insect ecosystem. Men and women run around the field and clash using various strategies and tools, but there is no clear sign of who is winning or losing. Live music by the band NiseThe theatrical company “contact Gonzo” creates works based on extreme physical contact where participants beat each other or collide forcefully. It has performed its shows in a range of private and public spaces beyond legitimate theaters, winning it acclaim as well in the contemporary art field. In this production, a mysterious sporting event suddenly kicks off in a 20,000-seat stadium. There seem to be rules, but they are not clearly delineated, giving the impression of a game in an uncharted civilization or a glimpse at an unknown insect ecosystem. Men and women run around the field and clash using various strategies and tools, but there is no clear sign of who is winning or losing. Live music by the band Nisennen Mondai (Millennium Bug) mixes with the voices of the “players” in the field and an enigmatic narrative by a female would-be commentator, while the camera moves dynamically alongside the players. The combination of these theatrical effects makes Xapaxnannnan a unique visual experience. Games require specific rules, which act as constraints. Whether dance or sport, the sight of bodies moving at full power within given rules is fascinating for spectators. Xapaxnannnan epitomizes the root of all forms of physical expression.

2014
Nishikyogoku Athletic Stadium

Presented by: The Japan Foundation (JF) (https://www.jpf.go.jp/e/)
In cooperation with EPAD (https://epad.terrada.co.jp/)

＜Performance Credits＞
Concept: contact Gonzo
Performers: contact Gonzo, Nisennenmondai, AKO Tsubasa, SUMI Yuriko, TSUKAHARA Shinya, TSUDA Kazutoshi, HIRANO Maki, MIENO Ryu
Sound: NISHIKAWA Bunsho
Props: SODA Tomoko
Production: contact Gonzo
Co-production: Kyoto Experiment
Organized by: Kyoto Experiment
Supported by: THE SAISON FOUNDATION

Video Shooting:
WATANABE Yasutaka, HAMAGUCHI Ryusuke, KITAGAWA Yoshio, SHIIHASHI Reina, Kim Song Gi

Edited by contact Gonzo

＜Subtitling Credits＞
Chinese Translation (Simplified): Zhenzhen WU
Chinese Translation (Traditional): NITTA Yukio
English Translation: Gary PERLMAN
French Translation: FUJIMOTO Satoko
Russian Translation: Inga IBRAKHIM
Spanish Translation: Karla TOLEDO VELARDE

＜Promotional Text＞
NORIKOSHI Takao

End date of distribution: 19/10/2022