The Asian Network of Major Cities 21(ANMC21) is a cooperative effort between major cities and capitals in Asia, working on joint projects to solve problems faced by large cities. In this issue, we introduce Asian Performing Arts Festival
(1) Asian Performing Arts Festival was held
Display of skills at the first get-together (Seoul)
As part of the Asian Performing Arts Festival, an ANMC21 joint project, the Workshop for International Collaboration was held at the Tokyo Center for the Performing Arts (Suitengu Pit) from October 31st to November 9th, 2010.
The Asian Performing Arts Festival uses Asian performing arts as a medium to further mutual understanding and cultural exchange, create new art through creative exchange between artists, and to encourage the spread of talented artists and performances throughout the world.
In this workshop, up-and-coming young artists from the cities of Seoul, Taipei, and Tokyo gathered in Tokyo to communicate with each other through the challenging medium of short 10-minute performances.
During training (artists from Seoul and Tokyo)
During the get-together on the first day, 25 actors and dancers exhibited their skills, and were split into 6 performing teams. Production began on the next day. Based around the general theme of "family," directors examined the unique character of each actor and performer, constructed a concept around the theme, and commenced practice. Some teams initially faced a challenge in communication, but realized their ability to communicate even without words. Many of the artists came to feel that drama and other arts serve as a form of universal communication.
The performances were held on the November 8th and 9th. Using the studios and facilities of the Suitengu Pit as a stage, the short works created over the space of a week were enthusiastically brought to life.
"Waiting for Something" Directed by Shigeki NAKANO (Tokyo) (Based on "Waiting for Godot" by Samuel Beckett)
We'll introduce one of those works, from the team of Tokyo director Shigeki Nakano: A man (from Tokyo) and a woman (from Seoul) sit across from each other at a dining table, unable to understand each other's language. The man finally asks bewilderedly, "can we really get married like this?" A unique work based on the concept of a language barrier, the audience was drawn in by the two characters' difficulties in transcending the differences between their cultures, responding with laughter and applause. Five other works were performed, each a unique work expressing the feeling of a cultural gap that charmed audience members. To all of the participating artists, the workshop proved to be a rare experience that expanded their horizons and fields of experience.
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