ODC Theater: Kimie Parker: komainu duet

Kimie Parker: komainu duet
Saturday, August 2, 2025 at 6pm, ASL Interpretation
30 minutes
Work In Progress

ODC is offering a group discount of 10% off orders of 6+ tickets. Use code ODC10 at checkout.

komainu duet illustrates displacement and belonging through the lens of sisterhood. It follows the journey of an only child seeking direction, guided solely by the presence of a distant sisterly figure. As symbols of sacred ancestry, ‘komainu’ are lion-dog statues found protecting Japanese temples. Though found in pairs, the two are not the same. Unique expressions distinguish them from one another, mirroring the individual experiences of the sisters as they navigate their dual identities as both Japanese and American. This duet abstractly contemplates the responsibilities of daughters, the consequences of fetishization in the West, and the inherent loneliness of womanhood.

Kimie Parker is a dancer and educator based in Brooklyn, NY. Her movement practice centers around unveiling//distorting the anatomical//social form and function of her Asian body. Kimie is a company artist, rehearsal director, and teaching artist with Sidra Bell Dance New York. On behalf of the company, she has taught at institutions including Harvard University, NYU Tisch, The University of the Arts, and more. She is an alumna of Point Park University.

komainu duet is generously supported by collaborator kira shiina.