GODDAMN BEAUTY

“Becoming Natsue”

A video projection visualizes the elaborate makeup techniques of the Onnagata, the female role 

impersonator of the Kabuki theater. This is the process 

of transformation used by Daniel Proietto to become “Natsue”, the title character of the Nihon Buyo work which follows in the program.

A narrator recites the story of “Natsue”, allowing the audience to fully appreciate the meaning behind 

the piece and setting up its tragic atmosphere.

“Natsue”

The second part of the program, performed live by Proietto, consists of a Traditional Japanese Dance piece by one of the greatest exponents of the Kabuki theater today, the choreographer, director and composer Kanjuro Fujima VIII.

After following rigorous studies with the prestigious Soke Fujima Ryu since 2011, Kanjuro Fujima VIII signs “Natsue”, specially for Proietto in 2016.

The work was commissioned as the second act of “Simulacrum”, a duet for Japanese flamenco dancer Shoji Kojima and Proietto, created by the Norwegian choreographer and playwright Alan Lucien Øyen.

The tragic story speaks of a suffering mother, Natsue, separated from her son at birth. In the climax we follow Natuse’s death as she transforms into the waves of the ocean. The same waves her dear son, Shoji, would stare in his lonely childhood at the shore of his native island, Mugi.

The original music, composed by Kanjuro Fujima VIII. Its lyrics were written at first in English by Øyen together with the British writer, Andrew Wale, later translated into Japanese and, finally, into Old Japanese. The text is the one recited in “Becoming Natsue”.

Goddamn Beauty

The solo “Goddamn Beauty”, with and by Proietto, will be closing the program.

In Argentina, Proietto's country of origin, the travestis (transgender and transsexuals) are brutally murdered, their life expectancy is merely 32 years of age.

The majority of travestis, as they called themselves proudly carrying the stigma of the derogatory word, continue to be victims of rape, police physical abuse and social discrimination, while they are 

systematically excluded from the educational system. In most cases, they are condemned to a life of extreme poverty.

Invited by the japanese artist Mirai Moriyama, Proietto created the solo in 2023 for the outdoor festival Rokko Meets Art. In a specially created stage by visual artist Tadashi Kawamata, Proietto performed emotional tableaus, channeling the poetic, revolutionary and 

spiritual language of Butoh, while raising awareness about the 

importance of equal rights.

Proietto also drew inspiration from the highly sexualized image of the Argentine vedettes. The popular actresses, singers and dancers from the review comedy theater in the Latin country, who have been the icons and role models for many generations of travestis.

The costumes are created by Martin Churba, one of the most 

acclaimed designers from Argentina. Churba’s methods are heavily influenced by Japanese culture and techniques.