Shizuka Hariu - Scenographer
Shizuka Hariu is an architect and a scenographer. She has been working for scenography in contemporary
dance, and for lighting and costume design as her special interests. She is based in London and Brussels.
Her recent work is Sacred Monsters for Akram Khan and Sylvie Guillem in 2006 at Sadler’s Wells Theatre
and in 2007 for the festival Les nuits de Fourviere in Lyon. In this project, she received many positive reviews
about her set design. She has been researching the relationship between dance and space at Central Saint
Martins College in London for her PhD. Shizuka obtained a Masters Degree in Architecture from Tokyo University
of Science.
Her aim is to make an interface between dancers and audience via her space design. In her scenographical
work, she integrates Eastern and Western cultures in order to reach a harmony and tension, using her
architectural background.
Reviews received on her work
www.designsingapore.org
“Emerging Japanese set designer, Shizuka Hariu's set for Sacred Monsters comprises scrims of crushed paper
which resemble a torn white glacier. Its quiet beauty is the perfect foil for the dazzling and lyrical exchange
between the king of kathak – Akram Khan and the queen of ballet - Sylvie Guillem.”
The Sunday Times 24, Sep
"A striking white stage backed by two huge, curving icebergs ( designed by Shizuka Hariu)"
Financial Times
"There is a handsome setting by Shizuka HARIU of two complementary and curving white plastered walls;
tedious accompaniment (by Philip Sheppard)
The Independent, 24, Sep
"The stage setting, by Shizuka HARIU (they assembled a thoroughly exotic bunch), is a striking white Artex-
covered cave with a slash in it."
http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews
“There is no doubt that Guillem is beautiful on the stage - especially with her flame red hair against Japanese
set designer Shizuka Hariu’s torn white glacier - but most of the movement doesn't’t do her justice in the first
half, which crawls along uneventfully.”
Reviews for Closer
De Morgen, 12,03,2004, closer gets under your skin, By Jeroen Peeters
Every spectator receives wireless headphones and can walk freely in an environment. Scenographer Shizuka
Hariu created a surprising space with a screen of vertically suspended bamboo sticks.
Background
She was awarded a fellowship from the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japanese government, 2002-2004 and
carried out a research project on contemporary dance performance space at Central Saint Martins College Art
and Design for her PhD. Also, she assisted Belgian scenographer Jan Versweyveld I DUE FODCARI at La
Monnaie and Bitches Brew for ROSAS in 2003.
Since then, she has worked as a scenographer for contemporary dance companies such as Deep Blue for
Closer in 2003 (set design), Maha Works for Kaku in 2004 (set and light design), Rabbit Hale Collective in
2005 (set and light design), Irene K company for Espace Colour in 2006 ( set design). In 2005, She was
awarded another young artist grant from POLA Arts Foundation (Japan) to develop her design work in UK
and Belgium.
