Alas, one of my favorite bands, Otep, are coming to the end of their career. This is an interesting article about why Otep Shamaya, the frontwoman of this band, wants to end this band-project…at least for now…

I believe all working underground/independent artists, especially ones who are just starting out, can relate to this. For those who know very little about the arts, but really appreciate it, give this a read so you can understand it a little better support the arts industry!

http://noisecreep.com/otep-why-she-is-ending-the-band/

Design by Bel Koo, freelance web designer from Malaysia

The march for Lampedusa in Hamburg was inspiring. Around 10,000 people participated in the demonstration, from different backgrounds, nationalities and social statuses…men, women and children…a wide range of people marching for what is essentially humane.

I’m looking forward to the next one…

As a request, Hamburg, can we please organize a Slutwalk…?

http://www.laactivist.com/2012/08/06/speakers-show-there-is-more-to-slutwalk-than-meets-the-eye/

Because too many women and girls are still too afraid to speak up for their sexual rights, this should inspire them.

DON’T BE THAT GUY [click here to expand]

HOW IS RAPE DEFINED? [click here to expand]

Moby Dick at the Thalia Theater Hamburg

http://www.thalia-theater.de/h/repertoire_33_de.php?play=933
A show currently running in one of the biggest theatres here in Hamburg, which I personally would highly recommend. Even if your German is not perfect (because the language is very classic, just like the novel Moby Dick itself) go watch it for the artistic visual choices for the stage and the stylistically ‘realistic’ choreography of the actors.

Very few props and special effects were used…the illusions of a ship, the storms, the whales, and sharks were created by the actors, and through the use of water and red paint (that means, if you’re sitting in the front two rows, you will get rain-ponchos handed to prevent you from getting wet yourselves!)
If you’re someone who is quite bored by too much talking onstage like me, I guarantee you will be absorbed by the highly imaginative and visual stage directions, despite there being 20-minute monologues in this production.

Apart from me being obsessed with this show at the moment, I have another reason for a new post today:

http://lampedusa-in-hamburg.tk/

This topic was brought up at the end of the Moby Dick production by one of the actors. “Even though it’s ‘illegal’ that they’re here, it’s justified.”

There’s usually a reason why people are fleeing from their home countries to more, let’s face it, privileged and richer countries and cities. It’s not because they want to steal your jobs, it’s not out of spite. It’s because their lives are in danger and are left with very little options. Hamburg needs to think about how good they have it (on the whole) compared to many other countries and cities in this world.

“Through Childlike Eyes” was a success! In just two weeks we created a dance-theater piece based on the Comfort Women during the second World War. It took another direction then the original “Through Childlike Eyes” dance piece, but that’s the beauty of theater and storytelling…how it evolves depending on where we are, and who we work with. Each performer is unique!

Production Still. From left to right: Kamila Olympia Rudnicki, S. Frank, Stella Monga, Wiebke Heinrich, Mozhgan Rabbany.
© Katja Engbrecht, 2013

Here is a review in German from Birgit Schmalmack… translation is underneath:

Genau in dem Moment, als die jungen Frauen auf der Bühne mit den Fingern Regengeräusche auf den Boden klopfen und gemeinsam unter dem roten Regenschirm Schutz suchen, beginnt auch der Gewitterregen auf das Dach des Sprechwerks zu trommeln. Das Hamburger Wetter unterstrich mit perfektem Timing die Dramatik der Premiere von „Through childlike eyes“. 
Die Geschichte von der roten Sonne, die die Frauen sich zu Beginn noch erzählten, wird ihnen keinen Trost und Schutz spenden. Denn sie sind als „Trostfrauen“ für Soldaten im Krieg entführt worden. Gefangen, geschlagen und gezwungen werden sie zu Handlungen, die ihnen Übelkeit verursachen. Immer wieder suchen sie Schutz beieinander, doch sie finden ihn nicht. Letztendlich bleibt jede von ihnen alleine mit ihrem Demütigungen und Verletzungen. 
Ein schwieriges Thema hatte sich Regisseur John Andrew Cunningham für seine Tanzproduktion mit der Schweizer „A Point Theatre Company“ ausgesucht. Trostfrauen, die eigentlich als angeworbene Prostituierte für japanische Soldaten im zweiten Weltkrieg dienen sollten, wurden im Verlaufe des Krieges auch unter der eroberten Bevölkerung zwangsrekrutiert. So kam es auch zur Entführung Minderjähriger, die er thematisiert.. 
Es gelingen dem Ensemble wunderbare Momente, Bilder und Sequenzen. Besonders beeindruckend war das Ballett-Solo von Stella Monga, in dem der tiefe Wunsch nach Freiheit und seiner gewaltsamen Unterdrückung berührend zum Ausdruck kamen. Leider endete kurz nach diesem Höhepunkt das Stück unvermittelt. Die ganze Tragweite dieses Sachverhaltes in einer Dreiviertelstunde zu bearbeiten, war herausfordernd. So wurde es eher zu einem „work in progress“, dem man eine weitere Ausarbeitung wünscht. 

Ensemble photo. From left to right: S. Frank, Wiebke Heinrich, Kamila Olympia Rudnicki, Stella Monga, Mozhgan Rabbany. © Katja Engbrecht, 2013

In English:

As the young women started to make rain sound-effects with their fingers on the stage floor and tried to find shelter together under the red umbrella, that was exactly when the rain started to fall on the roof of the Sprechwerk Theater. The Hamburg weather, with perfect timing, emphasized the dramatic art of the premier of “Through Childlike Eyes”.

The story of The Red Sun, which is the story being told throughout the show by these women, did not provide any comfort or protection for them anymore after they have been abducted by the soldiers during war and forced into being “Comfort Women”. Caught, beaten and forced into acts that lead them to illness. Again and again, they tried to find comfort and seek shelter together, but they never could. Ultimately, all of them are alone with their humiliation and pain.

A difficult topic that the choreographer John Andrew Cunnington had chosen for his dance production with the Swiss theatre company, “À Point”. Comfort Women were kidnapped and forced to serve as prostitutes for the Japanese soldiers during World War II…some of these women were as young as twelve. It was the abduction of these minors which John Andrew Cunnington decided to focus on.

The Ensemble provided wonderful moments, images and sequences. Particularly impressive and moving was the ballet solo by Stella Monga, in which she expressed their deepest desire for freedom under their violent repression. Unfortunately after this climax, the piece ended quite abruptly. To fully digest all of the implications of this story in just 45 minutes was challenging. It was more a “work in progress”, in which one desires further elaboration.

Promo-Photo. From left to right: S. Frank, Mozhgan Rabbany, Kamila Olympia Rudnicki, Stella Monga, Wiebke Heinrich
Photo by Alyssa Marie Warncke

NOTE: Anastasia Schwarzkopf and Katja Engbrecht unfortunately had to resign shortly before our rehearsals started. Fortunately, Mozhgan Rabbany, a social education worker with experience in acting and writing, joined our ensemble at the last minute with enthusiasm and passion. We are very grateful that you were a part of this short yet intense theater/dance experience!

I don’t have to work.

I don’t have to leave my house!

I can have my boyfriend cook and clean for me.

I can do things I really wanna do like read, watch films, listen to music, play piano, paint, learn a new dish to cook etc.

People leave me alone. No phone calls, no talk about business, no talk about going out to a party I don’t really want to attend, etc.

It’s a good reason for me to R-E-L-A-X

It gives me time to do yoga and meditate.

I can eat real home-cooked meals instead of having to buy shit from fast-food chains.

I can catch up with my friends and family on skype.

I can take a break without having to feel bad, lazy or unproductive!