"Living Together" "Geidai Arts Special 2014: Disability and the Arts" Event

 

The fourth iteration of the event " Geidai Arts Special: Disability and Arts " (Organized by Tokyo University of the Arts; Sponsored by Kao, Aoyama Mainland, Start Today, Striders, Toyota Motor Corporation; Supported by Japan Sports Association for the Disabled and others) was held on December 6 and 7 at Tokyo University of the Arts in Ueno, Tokyo. Centered on the theme "Living Together," the event featured artists active in fields such as music, fine arts, and calligraphy. It aimed to present a space where people with and without disabilities could enjoy activities together without distinction, exploring possibilities for artistic expression suited to contemporary society. Workshops, symposiums, concerts, and other events took place, allowing both people with disabilities and those without to enjoy the event together.
(Photo © Tokyo University of the Arts)

	 
Mr. M. Namae (left)	 	 

 

At the workshop " Blindfold Drawing: Let's Play in an Imaginary World," visually impaired artist M. Namae served as instructor. Participants challenged themselves to draw while wearing blindfolds, experiencing the process without sight. Mr. Namae explained that even with eyes closed, anyone can write their own name, and those who regularly draw can still create art with their eyes shut. He advised, "It's not about doing it well; just enjoy drawing." When Mr. Namae drew houses and animals at the children's request, cheers erupted from the audience. Mr. Namae remarked, "When one ability is restricted, previously unknown abilities can sometimes emerge."

 		 
 	Athlete Ketsubata converses with Professor Isao Matsushita, Vice President and Professor at the Center for Performing Arts	 

                               

The event "Welcoming Paralympic Athletes," held at the Sogakudo Hall, featured goalball athlete Eiko Ketsubata. Ketsubata is a gold medalist from the 2012 London Paralympics. While introducing the sport, she shared, "I was scared at first, but once I actually tried it, I got hooked on the fun. The sport helped me grow," and expressed her determination to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Games. A mini-concert featured a Mozart trio performed by students from the music department of the Tsukuba University School for the Visually Impaired and students from the Tokyo University of the Arts.

 

 

The main concert, " Colors You Hear, Sounds You See," began with a calligraphy performance by calligrapher Shoko Kanazawa. As Kanazawa powerfully wrote the character "藝" (art), the audience responded with thunderous applause. The audience was then treated to an aria sung by soprano Natsuki Hashimoto, a performance on the đàn bầu (Vietnamese monochord) by Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tuan, and a concerto performed by violinist Narimichi Kawahata and Geidai Philharmonia concertmaster Chiyomitsu Noguchi. The finale featured a joint performance by the Geidai Philharmonia and the HEARTS of VISION CHAMBER ORCHESTRA, the world's only chamber orchestra composed of visually impaired musicians from South Korea. This arrangement allowed people with disabilities to experience the live sound of an orchestra firsthand on stage.

President Ryohei Miyata addressed the participants, stating, "Our university will strive to further expand 'disability and arts' in society. Let's create history together with your newfound strength."

	 
Workshop "Let's Build a House Together"	 	Numerous artworks were displayed throughout the venue.