So the five of us* were on our way to get some tastey sweet ice delicay that jessie had once and couldn't top talking about.
1) Tomas and Jessie were dancing to Buena Vista social club and
2) Moments later we walked through the outdoor seating of the Tree Cafe where a live musican was singing songs that were cheesy american easy listening
3) Seconds later we saw on the street a pretty long parade of traditonal musicians (gongs, double reed insturments, drums, and cymbols)on the back of trucks, neon lit floats, vehicles coveredin lights, elaborate puppets, and people. All at 9'o clock at night in the street. I am not quite sure what it was, but it made my eyes go big.
I can't believe I didn't have my camera on me. will not do that again
*Me, Jessie, Jeri, Tomas from Mexico (Puppeteer), and Jake from Eugene (Samba Drummer) who's with http://www.marchfourthmarchingband.com and
04 August 2007
day three: clay mold
I'm having a great day! working next to a dance studio with little
wee-ones in ballerina outfits. kinda of too sweet. good food, nice
people. hanging out with Jeri and Jessie making art AND found out
I got the Leeway. Life is good.
03 August 2007
day two: skeching
All i did all day was sketch. I love drawing. I decided to make a Clouded Leopard. They are basically extict in Taiwan because of pouching. I thought making a giant puppet would help bring this gorgeous creature back to life. Also check out that smile, isn't it dragon like? I want to play it up for when I make the puppet.
dream community
http://www.dreamcommunity.org.tw/
Why am I in Taiwan?
I was invited to join a team of international and local artists to teach rural aboriginal communities in Taiwan to make giant puppets. (Also to play samba drums, dance samba, stilt walk and so on. . .) I will be here from August through the end of October, building towards a huge parade in Taipei on October 20th. Following I will be traveling through Asia return to the country December 11.
From what I understand they put on small and gigantic parades all year long in this model, but the Dream Parade in October is the biggest deal. In fact, this year is the first it will be in the city of Taipei. I was told they have been doing this particular parade for six years.
Dream Community is more then an arts foundation. Surrounding the area are multiple newly built tall apartment buildings (another one on the way), an office, apartments for artists, a puppet theater, a workshop / storage space, dance studio, commerical spaces like Maple Tree restaurant, Tree Cafe, Grain Mill bakery, a handmade furniture store (which is Gorden's office currently); and a parking lot. The whole area is open and inviting, which is the opposite to how I've experienced the rest of Shi-jr City (where we are), which feels closed in.
So, how I see this to work is the founder Gorden, a business man that has access to financial resources, invested in real estate which has also built this whole community that supports the arts organization, Dream Community. One of the people here said this is very nontraditional because the majority of arts programming is funded by the government. This is not. I think this model is fascinating. Because he can do whatever he wants really, as long as the money is there. Like invite international artists to work alongside local artists, provide free workshops all year long to aboriginal Taiwanese folks and put on large and small parades.
Why am I in Taiwan?
I was invited to join a team of international and local artists to teach rural aboriginal communities in Taiwan to make giant puppets. (Also to play samba drums, dance samba, stilt walk and so on. . .) I will be here from August through the end of October, building towards a huge parade in Taipei on October 20th. Following I will be traveling through Asia return to the country December 11.
From what I understand they put on small and gigantic parades all year long in this model, but the Dream Parade in October is the biggest deal. In fact, this year is the first it will be in the city of Taipei. I was told they have been doing this particular parade for six years.
Dream Community is more then an arts foundation. Surrounding the area are multiple newly built tall apartment buildings (another one on the way), an office, apartments for artists, a puppet theater, a workshop / storage space, dance studio, commerical spaces like Maple Tree restaurant, Tree Cafe, Grain Mill bakery, a handmade furniture store (which is Gorden's office currently); and a parking lot. The whole area is open and inviting, which is the opposite to how I've experienced the rest of Shi-jr City (where we are), which feels closed in.
So, how I see this to work is the founder Gorden, a business man that has access to financial resources, invested in real estate which has also built this whole community that supports the arts organization, Dream Community. One of the people here said this is very nontraditional because the majority of arts programming is funded by the government. This is not. I think this model is fascinating. Because he can do whatever he wants really, as long as the money is there. Like invite international artists to work alongside local artists, provide free workshops all year long to aboriginal Taiwanese folks and put on large and small parades.
02 August 2007
i love life
I got my first assignment tonight at a meeting I had with Katy. Tommorow i have to make a sketch for a puppet, any animal and take week to make it. Not to teach 100 children for 8 hours a day. just, make a puppet. This is amazing, i love life.
day one: from the land of hot and muggy
From the land of hot and muggy it is not so bad as I imagined. Sure I sweat a little, but I think I psyched myself up to find this to be just moderately uncomfortable. But both Jessie and Jeri said it gets hotter down south and I should watch my words.
Everyone is really nice and I wish I studied more Mandarin before I came. But I will be doing that now. Ryan, a waiter at the Tree Cafe, recommended www.chinesepod.com because it is based in Shang Hai, which is most similar to Taiwanese Mandarin. I've found my lonely planet phrase book to slightly fail me. Many phrases are not pronounced the same for here in Taiwan.
It seems they treat us really lovely, I feel safe and comfortable.
Right now it's about 4PM and I am getting sleepy. I want to try and fight the urge and stay up until tonight.
As of right now, I have no idea what tomorrow will bring. I met Gorden, the head of this whole thing, he told me this morning for me to take it easy today. Jessie and Jerushia don't really quite know what is going on either, i'm not worried, i'm ready when they need me. I am in the office, a small glass building in the area. There seems to be lots of meetings and I am assuming they are figuring out what is next.
I am so glad I am here and I'm looking forward to getting to work, but recognizing my body needs a chance to catch up with my spirit.
safe and sound
Dearest people in my heart,
I’m safe and sound in Taiwan. I've only been here a few hours and I feel really good
about this. I can't believe i'm here.
I actually have no idea what is going to happen next and it seems that is generally how things roll here. I guess I get to just hang out today, I think I will take this
opportunity to study mandarian, becuase I really need to.
I just got to see my friends Jessie and Jerushia here, it makes this strange expereince a little more safeer and have a little bit of home nearby.
I wanted to let you all know where you can send me snail mail. It seems like e-mail will be very easy, but little envelopes of love are always oh-so-exciting.
Michelle Posadas
C/O The Dream Community
No.95 Min-Tsu 2nd Street
Shi-jr Ciity, Taipei County, Taiwan 221
Alright, here we go! More to come . . .
Hearts-a-plenty,
posadas
p.s. Also please reply this e-mail with your mailing address, I know i've asked this at least a million times before, but people move and I often loose information like that. I’d love to send you something too.
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