Significance of "Shape of the Sound" Project
During the Stage Setting workshop, Aug. 26 - 29, we created stage setting items and percussion instruments with bamboo. We used the instruments to improvise our bodily movements as well as sounds during the Dance workshop, Sep. 1 - 3. We created the final performances based on the experiences we gained from those workshops. The second day of the final performance was a real success in terms of its artistic quality, attendance of audience, and the exalted atmosphere during the performance. The sense of satisfaction and achievement encouraged us to keep on going to the future project. It became clear that people in the Nasu area recognize the project, which has international and social welfare aspects, as an important and necessary event in the area. This project is significant as a way to keep working to raise peopleÕs awareness of such art activities. Our task toward the next project is how to encourage physically challenged people to join the project. One of the methods to promote this will be to visit their institutions directly instead of inviting them to a certain place. We will try out this plan for the next project in 2005.
Number or Participants
Stage Setting Workshop (August 26th -29th): 20
Dance Workshop (September 1st & 3rd): 30/workshop x 6 sessions = 180
Final Performance (September 5th & 6th) : 300
Comments
There were many positive comments on the project and on experiencing contemporary
art for the first time. "It was really fun because I could communicate with
others by moving my body. It was also great to be able to feel the sounds."
"IÕve always thought that dance has a certain form, but through this workshop
IÕve learned that there is a formless dance and it is OK that way. " "There
was a moment I forgot myself. I felt great at that time. " "I never knew using
my own body to express art was this fun. " "IÕve started to feel that art
is much closer to me. " Necessary Improvements In order to encourage people
with physical difficulties we need to re-examine the time and place of workshops
and performances. Solution 1: Instead of waiting for them to come to us, we
will visit them and work with them. Solution 2: Besides the project, FIZA
should have types of forums and discussions to broaden peopleÕs awareness
of our activities and establish stronger ties with various organizations in
the Nasu area. There should be several days only for artists prior to Open
Studio (it was called Stage Setting Workshop this year) to clarify what each
artist would like to work on and to be able to give precise directions to
volunteers and visitors. There should be at least two days prior to the final
performance to be sure that all the stage settings will be completed and that
rehearsal can be conducted for sure. We need to re-examine the efficiency
of our publicity so that there will be enough volunteers at the right time
on the right subject. We couldnÕt provide enough explanations to visitors
since we didnÕt have enough staff members (volunteers) during the Stage Setting
Workshop. Solution 1: Have activities on weekend because it might be easier
for people to do volunteer work on weekends. To enrich the quality of the
project by putting more emphasis on grant making. Solution 1: Prepare good
documentation and send the reports to magazine companies. More recognition
may result in more donations. Solution 2: Make a pamphlet of FIZAÕs activities
between 1999 and present. Solution 3: Do research on more grant organizations.
Solution 4: More active and effective approaches to grant corporations.
@
@
