Chisato Minamimura

Chisato Minamimura brings her sensational Mark Of A Woman show to Brighton Dome on Sat 15 March, celebrating and exploring personal histories and authentic accounts of the under-told relationships between women and tattooing cultures.  

Using Visual Vernacular (the choreographed and poetic form of sign language), digital animation, kinetic projection and Woojer™ technology, it offers an accessible new exploration into women’s social, cultural and historical relationships to body marking.

A Deaf performance artist, choreographer and BSL art guide, Minamimura  was born in Japan, and now based in London, Chisato has created, performed and taught internationally and is currently a Work Place artist at The Place. Chisato trained at Trinity Laban in London and holds a BA in Japanese Painting and MA from Yokohama National University. Chisato approaches choreography and performance making from her unique perspective as a Deaf artist, experimenting with and exploring the visualisation of sound and music. By using dance and technology, Chisato aims to share her experiences of sensory perception and human encounters.

Her performance of Mark of A Woman at Brighton Dome will use Woojer straps (vibrating belts designed to offer an additional sensory experience for audiences by enabling the user to feel sound vibrations), which are available to book with tickets for this performance.

Ahead of her highly anticipated visit to Brighton, as part of South East Dance's Undisciplined Festival, we spoke to Chisato Minamimura to discover more about her practice and the complex themes contained within this extraordinary work.

Is the language of dance more expressive than mere verbal exchanges?

Today, the range of expression in dance is evolving rapidly, shaped by global shifts and increasing diversity. In essence, the boundaries of what can be expressed through dance are expanding.  

As a Deaf person with a background in dance, I am exploring innovative ways to craft performances that both honour and reinterpret historically significant stories. These narratives not only reflect the past with accuracy but also resonate with the issues and emotions of contemporary society. I believe this is what makes this performance so captivating and relevant today.

How much impact has your training in visual arts had upon your current practice?

My background in painting has profoundly influenced my approach to performance-making. As a visual art form, painting has helped shape my artistic vision, and much like in painting, my work is built upon layers - British Sign Language (BSL), visual vernacular, movement, lighting, animation, film, sound, and sound vibrations.  

These elements intersect and overlap, coming together to form a cohesive whole. The process of balancing these layers within three-dimensional space—considering colour tones, light and shadow, movement, and timing—emerges through my close collaborations with my creative team.

For a long time (at least in Europe) women were discouraged from bring tattooed. Is the relaxing of stigma around body art an indication some forms of misogyny are being abandoned, or are women seizing  more agency over female identity?

The rising popularity of female body art can be seen as both a sign of societal change and a reflection of women taking charge of their own bodies. Historically, tattoos were often seen as a symbol of rebellion or non-conformity, which in many societies was associated with masculinity.  

Historically, women were largely discouraged from getting tattoos due to cultural norms that linked women’s bodies to ideals of modesty and femininity, often in contrast to the freedom of expression allowed to men.

In recent years, however, there has been a cultural shift that allows women to reclaim ownership of their bodies in ways that were once restricted. The rising popularity of tattoos among women reflects this shift, suggesting that women are increasingly asserting their personal autonomy and making decisions about their appearance without being constrained by outdated gender norms.

Additionally, while the rise in female tattoos may signify a rejection of certain forms of misogyny (i.e., the idea that women’s bodies should be controlled or restrained), it’s important to acknowledge that this trend also intersects with the growing cultural acceptance of body art more broadly. Tattoos have become more mainstream in general, transcending gender lines. Women’s participation in this movement signifies both their individual empowerment and a broader, evolving cultural landscape.

So, it’s not just that society is abandoning misogyny, but also that women are taking a more active role in defining their identity, challenging historical perceptions of femininity, and using tattoos as a form of personal expression.

Is the theme of tattooing in your new work a metaphor for the permanent impact individuals can have on our world?

Just as tattoos leave a lasting mark on the body, the choices we make, the actions we take, and the legacies we create can leave indelible impressions on the world around us.  

Tattoos are often symbols of identity, personal history, and values, which aligns with how each person’s influence can shape the world in meaningful, enduring ways.

Could the act of being tattooed also be seen as representing the marks our lived experience leave upon us?

This performance explores the powerful symbolism behind tattoos, highlighting the contrast between those who choose to get tattooed willingly and those who are compelled by external forces. The reasons for getting a tattoo are as varied as the individuals themselves, each design—whether lines, dots, or intricate patterns—reflecting a unique journey through time and life experiences.

Through this work, I aim to underscore how tattoos can serve as expressions of a woman's identity, life story, and personal strength. The women featured in this performance each carry different narratives, offering opportunities for the audience to learn from and connect with their diverse experiences.

Ultimately, the performance encourages viewers to reflect on their own lives, prompting them to share their tattoo stories. Life is full of challenges, with its ups and downs, but it is also a beautiful adventure, one that we navigate with resilience. It is through tattoos, performances, and written words that we leave our mark—an indelible testament to who we are and what we’ve endured.

How does Visual Vernacular enhance the sensory experience for audiences?

It’s a distinct and expressive form of physical language developed by Deaf people. Drawing from my background in dance, I use movement to bring this unique language to life on stage. At times, I embody the grace of a butterfly, the fluidity of the sea or a ship, the elegance of an aristocratic figure, or the whimsy of a circus performer. Accompanying the performance are dynamic animations, immersive soundscapes, and sound vibrations delivered through Woojer straps, all designed to create a deeply engaging and realistic experience for the audience. For those with visual impairments, audio description (also known as visual description) enhances the experience. It can also guiding beginners to VV to connect more deeply with VV and its nuances.

Is it difficult to create something which blends information and entertainment?

It is an ongoing challenge for me. At the core of this process is the need to communicate facts effectively through performance, which demands extensive research. When working with people living in the present, it's crucial to conduct interviews and capture their authentic voices directly on film.  

In contrast, when addressing historical events or narratives, I rely on my own sign language and visual vernacular (VV) to represent them. This approach allows me to convey stories through diverse sensory experiences. Additionally, the project requires artistic innovation to ensure the story resonates with a broad audience and is presented in an inclusive, accessible way.

How easy is it to convey a full range of emotions through sign language? Is it a case of adding a different emphasis when signing, or is there nuances we should look out for?

If I were to reverse the question, how do hearing people use spoken language to convey their emotions? Much like in spoken language, they express their feelings not just through words, but also through hand gestures, facial expressions, tone, rhythm, and pace. In this performance, you'll experience the voiceover alongside visual cues that amplify the emotional expression, allowing you to feel the emotion as it's conveyed both audibly and visually.

Chisato Minamimura brings Mark Of A Woman to Brighton Dome on Sat 15 March 2025.

Find more information and tickets here

www.chisatominamimura.com  

All images by Mark Pickthall

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