Magcal is coming! “International Performing Arts Meeting in Yokohama 2014”

This year's 18th "International Performing Arts Meeting in Yokohama 2014" (commonly known as TPAM) ended with great success.
TPAM is said to be an international meeting for those who create and view performing arts, and every year it invites a variety of performing arts from not only Japan but also from overseas, and attracts not only people from the industry but also the general public. It has become a hot topic as a veritable performing arts festival where you can enjoy the best of performing arts.
At Magcal, we focused on ``TPAM Direction'' and ``TPAM Exchange'' from among the various programs of TPAM2014, and compiled them into a report.
 
TPAM has already decided to open next year. If you missed it this year or are planning to participate next year, please take a look at this report!
 
What is TPAM? (From TPAM official)
http://www.tpam.or.jp/2014/about/

TPAM Direction Report

◉What is TPAM Direction?
A program in which young creators who are involved in unique activities are selected as directors to create programs with free concepts and new perspectives. This is an opportunity to share contemporary ideas and issues through each direction, and to consider the possibilities of performing arts together.
*Each report can be viewed from the links below.
 
▽Direction by Masayuki Nomura
Shuta Hasunuma “Composer: New Phil”
http://magcul.net/focus/tpamdirection-nomura/
 
▽Direction by Fumi Yokohori
Jun Tsutsui + People dancing in Shin-Nagata “Dance situation in Shin-Nagata”
http://magcul.net/focus/tpamdirection-yokobori/
 
▽Direction by Katsuhiro Ohira
Kim Ito × Zan Yamashita
http://magcul.net/focus/tpamdirection-oohira/
 
▽Direction by Takuo Miyanaga
Hideaki Hamada × Hii Takizawa × Yukio Shiba Exhibition called “Theatre”
http://magcul.net/focus/tpamdirection-miyanaga/

TPAM Exchange Report

Venue: BankART Studio NYK 2F
TPAM HP: http://www.tpam.or.jp/2014/program/networking/tpamexchange/
 
◉What is TPAM Exchange?
TPAM Exchange is a program that allows people involved in the performing arts to expand their networks while introducing each other's activities, works, and projects.
This program is aimed at professionals and is not open to the general public.
How do people who create performing arts expand their networks, introduce each other's expressions, and share information? We will inform you about the situation in the report.
 

 
Despite the unfortunate conditions on the day of the event, which came after a record heavy snowfall, a large number of related parties were already gathered at the venue and exchanging information.
First of all, the space immediately after entering the venue is a speed networking venue, where you can talk one-on-one with presenters from Japan and abroad at each table.
Normally, it takes a lot of effort to make an appointment with the person in person and listen to their story, and it is often difficult to find the right time, but with a table like this, you can meet a large number of people in one day. I think this is a very attractive program because you can exchange opinions with other people.
 

Speed networking scene
 
Furthermore, there is a group meeting space in the back, where multiple people can exchange opinions based on a pre-set theme, in contrast to the speed networking in the foreground. From individuals to groups, everyone exchanges opinions on issues they are concerned about, and this is a program for professionals that provides a place to discuss (share issues with) each other's concerns.
Unlike talk shows, everyone comes together to discuss a single issue, so I think it's an environment where it's easy to exchange opinions.
 

Group meeting
 
TPAM Exchange Report continues! >>>

What's so interesting about this program is not just the opportunity for discussion.
In the presentation room in the back, each group was presenting their activities and the works they were producing, using videos, and they were also promoting their works to be performed domestically and internationally.
Viewers cannot know how the works that are performed are decided on a daily basis, but it was a very interesting experience, wondering how the works would spread out in this way.
 

Photo left: Introduction of overseas programs by KAAT Kanagawa Arts Theater
Photo right: Introduction of the residency program by Kinosaki International Art Center
 

In the opposite room, German performing arts were introduced under the name "BÜHNE FREI!".
Artists active in the German performing arts field were always in the room, and they exchanged opinions with visiting artists and presenters from each country.
 

A large amount of flyers and press releases were lined up at the venue.
Inside are screenplays and other materials that are unique to the exchange program.
 
I have described the atmosphere of the exchange program in this way, but once again I was surprised by the rich content of this program.
I think what is particularly noteworthy is that this program brings together "all those involved in supporting the performing arts" to exchange opinions.
It is important to know information about many works, but how can we support these works?
There are artists, there are places to perform, there are organizations that support them, and I believe that the great works that appear before us are only possible because of the efforts of all of them.
Next time, you might be here as a professional browsing the web...