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Yokohama Paratriennale 2017 Interview with the director about the charm and highlights of the Paratriennale

ヨコハマ・パラトリエンナーレ 2017 ディレクターに聞く パラトリエンナーレの魅力とみどころ
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Important things to express together with people with disabilities

-The Yokohama Paratriennale is your second, and it's also Kurisu's second Paratriennale.

Yes, I have been the director since the first event in 2014, and this is my second time.
Since the Paratriennale is an evolving project, research and projects will continue even after the current one closes, and the next third one is scheduled to be held in 2020, the year of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

- Mr. Kurisu, how did you become a director?

Originally, I worked to create new value by connecting the talents of people with different fields of expertise, and by connecting specialized fields and regions.
In 2011, I got sick and my right leg became disabled, and my work and life were all in a blank state.At that time, I said to Kurisu, ``There's something I want Kurisu to do for me.'' The job I was given was to connect people with disabilities with artists.
By interacting with the diverse people I meet through my work and learning about the different charms of each person, my own values have changed significantly. I now feel strongly that I want to live in a society where we can understand each other not as people with disabilities, but as people with different characteristics, and where we can combine our differences to create new things.

-What kind of experience did you have at the first Paratriennale?

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(1st Yokohama Paratriennale)

Looking back, I think that the first Paratriennale was about finding walls and barriers.
I realized how difficult it is for people with disabilities to participate in artistic activities in front of an unspecified number of people.

-Walls and barriers, what were they like?

In one word, it's "accessibility." It's the difficulty of participating itself.
First, it was difficult to inform people with disabilities about the workshop and its contents. Information cannot be delivered through flyers, emails, or SNS. Even if you try to take the information directly to a disability welfare office and decide you want to participate, there are physical barriers such as transportation and steps to get to the venue. In addition, there are psychological barriers such as fear of mixing with people without disabilities and hesitation that it may not be possible.
Although I set up the company with the ideal of presenting high-quality expressions that would be accepted around the world, I realized that it was difficult for people with disabilities to participate, and that unless this problem was resolved, I would not be able to move forward. Did.

“Access Coordinator” and “Accompaniment”

In order to solve this problem, we have made every effort to remove barriers in the two years since the first event ended. An important part of this was creating and nurturing human resources called ``access coordinators'' and ``accompanimentists.''

An "access coordinator" is a person who listens to all the concerns that people with disabilities have and removes any barriers they may have before they can perform on stage. The first access coordinator was a qualified nurse with knowledge of both disabilities and performing arts.
Accompanists are dancers, performers, and accompanists who stand on stage with people with disabilities and support them in their performances. Together, as creators, we will explore ways to overcome the physical and psychological difficulties that arise while creating.

Together with them, we researched how people with disabilities can face their creations with peace of mind, and through repeated practice, we have come to this day.

-I heard that you served as a stage advisor for the flag handover ceremony at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, and the "access coordinators" and "accompanimentists" were also active in Rio. Is it?

Yes, that's right. Do you remember the performance of people with disabilities at the handover ceremony? For that eight-minute performance, an access coordinator accompanied them and the accompaniment staff joined them on stage to support their performance. A team with that experience is once again working with us to carry out the activities of the Paratriennale.

-It is a "paratriennale" that includes the period of creating an environment for creation and undergoing trial and error.

Yes, that's right. The Paratriennale is divided into three periods, the first ``creation'' period starts in May of this year, and the second ``presentation'' period is the ``Big Night Party'' from October 7th to 9th. Multiple teams are currently working on production and preparations for the announcement day.

For example, that white net is a work called "whitescaper" and will be used at the venue on the day.

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It is a work of art made by hand-weaving special thread, and a wide variety of people from children to adults participate in its creation.

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In July and August, we also held production workshops in Singapore, Cambodia, and Indonesia.

In addition, artists, experts, people with and without disabilities meet, and a number of workshops and productions are held. I believe that each experience of the participants is a result of the Paratriennale.

"The Great Night Party in the Mysterious Forest"

-What is the plan for the “Mysterious Forest Night Party” that is coming up next month?

For three days from October 7th to 9th, a ``mysterious forest'' created by 10,000 artists and citizens will appear at Zou-no-hana Terrace and Zou-no-hana Park, and a ``Big Night Party'' will be held where performance, art, and food will gather. It will be opened.
It's a special three-day event in which all elements are made possible through collaboration between people with disabilities and professionals from various fields.

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(Venue image)

The venue is divided into several stages.

At the center of the performance stage is a stage shaped like a plate. This event brings together powerful performances by people with disabilities and artists created in various places both domestically and internationally.
For example, a dance performance co-produced by contemporary dancer Meri Otoshi with a disabled Cambodian artist, street dance performed by high school dancers attending a school for the blind, and aerial performances performed by dancers with disabilities. The performances will appear one after another like a full course dinner.
Over the course of two years in 2015 and 2016, I held repeated workshops and presentations of my work, and through steady efforts with artists and performers who sympathized with the purpose of the project, I was finally able to create work that I thought was ``at this level.'' I feel a positive response.
I would like many people to see it.

At the Art Stage, professionals from a variety of fields create contemporary art works, focusing on the five senses of people with disabilities.
I am looking forward to seeing what kind of works will be created through the encounter of sensation and technology, such as clothes that express the invisible world and jewelry created through dialogue with a blind koto musician.

On the Food Stage, food stalls will be opened in collaboration with food designer team Yamamokoyama and welfare facilities in Yokohama, where you can enjoy meals. The pizza shop will also feature a performance by musician Takuma Aoki.

- What is the best way to participate in the Paratriennale to enjoy it to the fullest?

Admission to the venue is free, and you can also watch the performances on stage for free. We also offer workshops that you can walk in on the day of the event, so we think you can enjoy it even if you just stop by.

However, if you want to enjoy it to the fullest, we recommend the "Full Course" tour.
The journey to the forest begins by boarding a guided boat from Minato Mirai. After viewing the art stage guided by a rabbit, you can experience the show from special seats set up on the plate-shaped main stage. In fact, the ``Full Course'' has a special trick that only those who participate can experience.
A total of 4 sessions will be held for two days, October 8th (Sunday) and October 9th (Monday/holiday), from 15:30 to 18:00 each day. Of course, people with disabilities can also participate. There is a limited number of participants, so please make a reservation before participating.

—Finally, a message to everyone

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I believe that the Yokohama Paratriennale is not a temporary event, but a movement that creates a world of new values.

I want to create a world where people feel the difficulties of other people's lives and try to understand each other, rather than a world where we compare ourselves with others, discriminate against others, and separate ourselves from others, thinking that only we are good.
With this hope in mind, we have set the theme ``A place where 'sense of oneness' comes together.''

I find the concept of "experience" very appealing. Experiences stay with a person and change them. That's why I hope everyone will be involved in the Paratriennale in some way.

I believe that by visiting, you may come to realize something that turns your ``normal'' thoughts upside down.
Please come and see us whether you are interested in the theme of disability welfare or not.
And if you feel something, I want you to take the next action.
I'm looking forward to seeing you at the "Mysterious Forest".

■“Mysterious Forest Night Party” Event Overview
Date and time:
October 7th (Sat) 18:00~21:00 (Public Rehearsal)
October 8th (Sunday) and 9th (Monday/Holiday) 16:00~21:00
Venue: Zou-no-hana Terrace, Zou-no-hana Park
Price: Free admission

■Tour-type performance: “Mysterious Forest Night Party” full course
Date and time: October 8th (Sunday) and 9th (Monday/holiday) 15:30~17:30, 18:00~20:00
Price: ¥3,500 (pair ticket ¥5,000 including one caregiver) The boat on October 9th is wheelchair accessible. Reservation required.
For more details, please visit our homepage.
http://www.paratriennale.net/

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