Hisashi
◆ Handstand × Release
Hisashi Watanabe
Body movement seeker, circus artist
He is the main organizer of this Hallucigenia Handstand Festival.
Self-taught in juggling, handstands, and flexible body since the age of 20, he has been working beyond the boundaries of dance and circus with his combined expressions. Highly acclaimed for his high technical skills and style with his unique philosophy, he has performed and taught in more than 20 countries over the world.
He’s nominated as a finalist in TOYOTA choreography Award in 2016 and achieved the triple crown, winning prizes from MASDANZA in 2017. Received the Rookie of the Year Award from Elsur foundation in 2018. Currently touring Yokai KEMAME, a collaboration work with Cie Defracto, on top of his solo piece. He is assigned to to perform in “Stage Evangelion Beyond” in 2023.
In this Handstand Festival, he will teach soft handstands with no strength, overturning the received ideas that handstands require muscle strength.
He specializes in smooth and effortless movements which are not harmful to the body, using de-strengthening techniques through his own physical research.
His super flexible and smooth body movements surprise people for “no longer human”.
