Performance Poetry

Words become brushstrokes, emotions become choreography, and silence becomes applause.

Since I was teenager, I have felt that many words have been bound by the ropes of formalized institutions, prejudice, and discrimination in an invisible jail. So I started to express my poetry in performances in order for the words to meet freedom and love early in my careea.

The words I bring to the audience on the performance stage are not only poetry but also a voice, an in-breath, a warmth, an echo, a vibration, sound, and a living visual language.

There is the tone and exhistance of the words as a free and independent entity, liberates from the rope of attachment to the meaning of the words. There are scents, images, melody and both pre-meaning and post-meaning narratives.

While I have always had such an organic relationship with words, I have also respected the role that words have to play in society and for individuals.

I am not interested in writing poetry that only ends up conveying just emotions, phenomena, lamentations, and melancholy. Poetry should be a positive visionaire that heals people's hearts, inspires them, and attracts hope of the future. Because poetry is an action for living, and this world and the universe are moving toward the future every moment.

-Setsuko Chiba

Setsuko Chiba, the versatile artist, poet, performer, and author, infuses her performance poetry with a captivating blend of theatricality and contemporary artistry.

Unique Style and Artistic Spirit

Setsuko’s practice spans literature, performance, photography, writing, and contemporary art. Her artistic spirit and philosophy weave through each expression. She doesn’t conform to traditional poetry readings. Instead, her performances take on a life of their own, transcending mere recitation.

Theatrical Transformation

When Setsuko recites her poems, they transform into theatrical experiences. She becomes a conduit for emotions, stories, and universal themes. The stage becomes her canvas, and her words paint vivid scenes. Her gestures, intonations, and movements elevate poetry beyond the ordinary.

Visual Elevation of Poetry

Setsuko believes that poetry isn’t confined to ink on paper. It’s a multisensory experience—a dance of words and visuals. Her performances engage the eyes as much as the ears. She crafts visual metaphors, inviting the audience to see beyond the surface.

Contemporary Relevance

Setsuko’s poetry resonates with contemporary issues. She addresses love, healing, resilience, and global unity. Her themes are relatable, bridging the gap between ancient wisdom and modern challenges.

Conceptual Portrait Art Performance

One of her remarkable endeavors is “Setsuko Icon / POETGRAPHOLLIA”. This performance art piece celebrates the transformative power of love. Love, she believes, isn’t limited to romantic notions. It’s an energy that can turn seemingly unfortunate circumstances into hope and peace. Through this performance, she emphasizes the importance of mutual support and growth.

In Setsuko Chiba’s poetic theater, words become brushstrokes, emotions become choreography, and silence becomes applause.