Excerpt 1: Octopus, Field, and Fortune Teller

The foundation of this conversation between Eiko and Joan Jonas finds these celebrated artists forming a generative and collaborative new friendship. The two discuss the mutual influence of Japanese theater, dance, and literature on their work as they offer insight into making new work and connections in the maturity of their careers.

It was on May 21, 2020 that Eiko and Joan joined Judy Hussie-Taylor to record this conversation, but only days after the program was slated to launch, George Floyd died at the hands of police in Minneapolis. Danspace Project postponed the release of this pre-recorded conversation to prioritize urgent action in direct response to the Black Lives Matter movement and to address issues of equity and anti-racism within the organization.