FACULTY OF FINE AND APPLIED ARTS,THAMMASAT UNIVERSITY and THE JAPAN FOUNDATION, BANGKOK 

CO-ORGANISE INAUGURAL INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON CONTEMPORARY THEATRE & PERFORMANCE IN ASEAN

 

12 JUNE 2015 – The Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts of Thammasat University (FATU) and The Japan foundation, Bangkok are proud to organise its inaugural symposium on contemporary theatre and performance. The event will take place on the 25th to 28th June 2015 at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) in the heart of the city. The international symposium will feature academic presentations as well as performances from countries in the ASEAN region and beyond. 

 

Respected and acclaimed performance and theatre academics and researchers from more than five countries – including Thailand – will speak on various aspects of the state of contemporary performance in Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Cambodia and even Japan. More than that, this special symposium will also premier three performances that boasts of international performance makers, including an exclusive production by students of the Theatre Department of FATU.

 

Contemporary performances in Southeast Asia (and the greater Asia) have received even greater attention in the last decade with international festivals paying more attention to region’s to the rich and diverse cultural and artistic forms that have emerge. The rapid globalisation of performing arts markets have also given more exposure to the region with the proliferation of transnational artistic collaborations, international funding and commissions and cross border networkings. 

 

This symposium is borne out of a necessity to FATU Dean Dr Parichat Jungwiwattanaporn hopes that such an event will help in continuing information exchanges and dialogues on the rich and diverse contemporary performing arts between nations in ASEAN. “Such an event will also benefit our academics, theatre directors and choreographers in Thailand as we get to know even more about our neighbours’ arts activities while building artistic networks and professional relationships across the region,” adds Dr Jungwiwattanaporn.

 

Who Should Attend

The symposium offers various presentations on developments and trends in contemporary performance in the region, including current performance styles and forms that engage with contemporary audiences, surveys of contemporary theatre and dance groups; special focus on performance education and teaching performing art, and even community arts practices. Aimed at initiating open dialogues and discussions this event is open to theatre and performance academics and researchers, theatre directors, choreographers, performing arts educators as well as students. Admission for both presentations and performances are FREE; the public is advised to reserve their tickets for the events in advance.

 

The Presentations

Between 26th and 28th June, a total of eight special focus lectures will be presented by distinguished academics from universities from Australia, Philippines, Singapore, Japan and even United Kingdom. Presented in English, special arrangements are undertaken to have Thai interpretation for all lectures to allow for wider access by Thai audiences. 

 

Speakers will offer their views on contemporary performance in the region:

• Dr Paul Rae (University of Melbourne): “What’s New: Understanding Contemporary Performance In Southeast Asia”

• Mr Daisuke Muto (Gunma Prefectural Women's University, Japan): “Double Helix Of Modernity: Matters And Situations Of Japanese Dance”

• Dr Lim How Ngean (Thammasat University): “Moving in Uncertainty: Choreographing Modern (Dancing) Bodies in Cambodia”

• Ms Sarah Salazar & Mr JK Anicoche (Sipat Lawin Ensemble, Philippines): “Sipat Lawin Ensemble: Developing Contemporary Community Performance, And Performance Communities In The Phillipines”

• Dr Matthew Cohen (Royal Holloway University of London): “Tradition And Post-Tradition In Indonesian Performing Arts”

• Dr Sir Anril Pineda Tiatco (University of Philippines Diliman): “Mapping The Discipline Of Theatre Studies In The Contemporary Philippines: Routes And Reroutes”

• Dr Charlene Rajendran (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore): “Critical Pedagogy; Dialogue; Difference; Transition, Collaboration”

• Dr Parichat Jungwiwattanaporn (Thammasat University): “Contemporary Theatre & Performance In Thailand: Reflexive Resonances In The Modern World”

 

The Performances

Also happening between 25th and 28th June are three premiers of performances that will reflect the theme and subject of contemporary stagings and aesthetics from three international artists:

 

I) Daunt in Soya-Soya 

 

June 25, 2015, 7.30PM

Studio, 4th Floor

 

Choreographed by Eko Supriyanto (Indonesia)

 

Power and speed in traditional art forms of the Javanese silat and Ternate North Maluku’s Soya-Soya Dance are brought together as a study of different embodiments of the hard with the soft, the masculine with the feminine. 

 

II) Playing on the Zero Line

An annual theatre production by The Department of Theatre, Faculty of Fine & Applied Arts

 

June 26 & 27, 2015, 7.30PM, 

Studio, 4th Floor

 

Directed by Teerawat Mulvilai (Artist in Resident, Faculty of Fine & Applied Arts)

 

Shapes, forms and lines take on different meanings of opportunity and equality in society as balancing acts and points are explored by the students of the Department of Theatre. 

 

III) Freedom of Movement

 

June 28, 2015, 7.30PM

 

Conceived by Pichet Klunchun, performed by Pichet Klunchun Dance Company

The foundational blocks of traditional dance are explored to relate them to a contemporary understanding of performance and presence.

 

 

For more information and reservation of presentations and performances, please call 061-462 2630 or register online: www.finearttu.com