CESTA (3)

The performance and two site-specific performance studies ended yesterday. Today is the reflection day. The two site-specific studies were both extremely fruitful. The power of the place was so strong entering into my mind and body, it almost didn't matter what I was 'doing'. The invisible part of the dance was definitely resonating with the place and time. The final performance inside the theatre was a hard one. Making the installation with the three magic mirrors and red elastic cord was a big challenge. The theatre was split between the new and the old part. I chose the old part to create an environment. The performance itself felt hurried and unsatisfying compared to the site-studies where I could have an unlimited time and the environment determined what I do, how I do, and when the piece is going to end. However, the context, the time, and the place for the final piece was artificially pre-determined, leaving a very narrow window to play with. Perhaps many improvisors feel this pressure of 'having to do' something without the genuine impulse. This pressure is less when the environment is so strong and helping you make decisions. When in the theatre, the environment is created beforehand and the surprises and the unexpected events have to be caused either externally or internally. In this case, the theatre space was not completely neutral. It had peculiar energy and atmosphere. But in the twirl of making the structure, completing the installation, sound, and lights, the open space started getting closed and closed, leaving very small room for unexpected happenings. The attempt of bringing in the memory of two sites into the theatre was, most of the time, perhaps not so successful. What I was finding out was what triggers these pieces of memories from distant places.

CESTA (2)

The week is going very very fast. For the first few days, I walked around CESTA, both the new and the old town of Tabor to sense/feel/experience the place. On Monday, I somewhat conceived a performance and studies based on my observation. It's still freezing here. Despite the cold weather, I decided that one of my sites will be in/on the water. I'm really curious about this current and what my body experiences there. The other site will be the gate that leads to the old town. Final performance will be in the theatre. It's such a short time I'm doing all this. It's an extreme challenge, but I'll just have to what I can do since last night in my restless sleep I was realizing that this is all for me to grow. That's the most important.

CESTA (1)

I arrived at Tabor Friday evening. I'm going to spend this coming week at this place called CESTA (Cultural Exchange Station in Tabor) for the artist residency. This town is about 3-4 hours away from Prague with the airport bus and the express train. The train was a typical European style one with small

separate compartments with six seats inside each. My three compartment mates were an older gentleman with a cane who kept staring at me, a middle-aged guy with a beer and a crossword puzzle, and a Hispanic woman who was deep asleep. About half an hour later, I noticed that the landscape started shifting. Vast field of green began to extend. It seemed that I was going into the deep countryside. The train went on. I wondered if my compartmates were commuting from the outskirts of Prague to the city to work. So maybe this is like the Marc train from Baltimore to DC...but two of them still didn't get off when I did at Tabor, which was almost two hours later. I wanted to strike a conversation, but they seemed to be all engrossed into individual activities and judging from the train station experience, I wasn't certain if I could communicate with them. A vendor with a name tag came around to sell snacks and drinks including liquor. The Hispanic woman woke up, bought a beer and started drinking it. The older gentleman bought a candy bar. It started feeling more like a trip now. I felt a bit nostalgic remembering long-distance train on the countryside, Japan. Finally, after about 19 hours since I left Baltimore, I arrived at Tabor.