"A highly imaginative multi-media re-creation of several aspects of the WWII Pacific theater and its consequences. It is a compelling meditation on history, as elegant as it is incisive."
–– David E. James, author, The Most Typical Avant-Garde: History and Geography of Minor Cinemas in Los Angeles

Tokyo Rose was inspired by the story of Iva Toguri, a second-generation Japanese-American whose trial for treason as the legendary radio siren/WWII propagandist foreshadowed the national security witch hunt of the McCarthy Era.

Weaving propaganda and anti-propaganda, the interdisciplinary work (music by John Payne; video, slide animation and choreography by Rika Ohara) explored forms of xenophobia –– both cultural and sexual –– and the myth-making power of the media.

WHAT IT IS:

90 minutes of wall-to-wall visual media (layered slides + video projections), audio and dance. Mostly one live performer, two or three at the climax and several more in video. Text wove historical propaganda, anti-propaganda and their modern-day "Trade War" versions –– far from a straight biography. The 500 slides were programmed on an analog dissolve control with the cues recorded on the audio track of a VHS video cassette, while the video track was used to record PCM digital audio. The video for projection, on a second VHS tape, was synchronized with the slides and audio by the click of a single remote control.

PROJECT HISTORY:

The piece was developed in 1992-1995, premiering at Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions in January 1993, and the beta version shown at Japanese American Cultural Community Center in 1994. An excerpt was also shown at the Cleveland Performance Art Festival in 1992.

"I can't get it out of my mind. It's beautiful, extremely."
–– Anney Bonney, Hybrid Curator, The Kitchen, New York (1997)

"Tokyo Rose is a very interesting and emotionally moving project. I think the show is visually expressive enough that even non-English speaking audience can understand it."
–– Sophie Suissa, Performing Arts Coordinator, American Center, Paris (1995)

"Very compelling."
–– John Killacky, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis (1995)