The Flying Circus Project: 00
 
1 - 21 December 2000
The Black Box, Singapore
Organised by TheatreWorks (Singapore) Ltd


Established in 1994 by Ong Keng Sen, Artistic Director of TheatreWorks
Singapore, The Flying Circus Project (FCP) is a major program exploring
Asian expression in the 21st Century. This multi-disciplinary, long-term
research and development program in theatre, music, dance, visual arts, film
and ritual has continued for six years, with laboratories consisting of
classes, improvisation workshops and seminars.

The focal points are on cultural negotiation and process in the arts
practice. It looks at the different creative strategies of individual
artists, both traditional and contemporary, through the recognition of
differences between the many Asian cultures. The development of the artists
in external form, internal landscape, intellectual muscularity and
politicization are major pillars of the FCP.


HISTORY +ACY- DEVELOPMENT
PRESENT, PAST +ACY- FUTURE

PHASE ONE - LAB THREE (2000)
This Lab involves 20 lamas including a Living Buddha from Tibetan Buddhism,
and ritualists from Naxi Exorcism Ceremonies (Dongba Shamans) in Yunnan. 
The artists come from China, Taiwan, Philippines, Japan, Korea, Cambodia, 
Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore.

The theme for this lab is the interface of Asian religious rituals and the
urban artist from contemporary Asia. Another theme is the indigenous peoples'
struggles with the participation of ethnic minority artists. There is also
the Indochina Project which introduces artists from that developing region
to the rest of Asia.

Overall, the laboratory becomes more varied in tone and contrasting amongst
the genres. Contemporary Asia is the focus, with the proposition that
religious rituals and traditional arts are contemporaneous within their
contexts. This contextualisation balances the continued exoticisation of
Asia.


LAB TWO  (1998)
This second laboratory involved artists from South Asia and their
counterparts from East Asia and South East Asia. The inclusion of visual
artists allowed for an expanded dialogue vis-+AOA--vis the traditional
performing arts. The focus was the interplay between tradition and
contemporary with a very strong push from the contemporary artists.

LAB ONE (1996)
The focus was the learning of tradition even though there were equal
participants from both spheres of traditional and contemporary practice.

PHASE TWO
There are plans for a second phase which will involve the establishment of
artistic links with Central and Western Asia.


ASIAN PARTICIPANTS IN FCP: 00
China
Zhang Pei Li - Doyen of video artists in China
Song Dong - Independent video/installation artist
Wu Er Shan - Independent installation artist of Mongolian descent
Wu Wen Guang - Independent documentary film maker
Wen Hui - Dancer/choreographer
Cao Lu Sheng -  Playwright and academia.
Zeng Jing Ping - Liyuan opera actress
Ke Li - a Hani minority musician from Yunan, China
He Ji Gui - Old Dong Ba (Shaman) Master of the Naxi culture in Yunan China
He Wen Zhen  - Dancer and teacher of ritual Dong Ba dances
He Guo Wei - Drummer of ritual Dong ba dances
Li Jing Sheng - Academia specializing in Naxi culture

Indonesia
Restu Imansari Kusumaningrum - Classically trained Javanese dancer
Boi Sakti - Sumatran Choreographer and dancer of Gumarang Sakti

Japan
Min Tanaka - Butoh master
Tsuyoshi Ozawa - Conceptual artist
Toru Yamanaka - Computer musician from Dumb Type
Yutaka Fukuoka (Yen) - Pop vocalist
Yoshiide Otomo - Turntablist musician

Korea
Jang Jae Hyo - Contemporary samul nori musician 

Malaysia
Krishen Jit - Theatre director and academia
Mohammed Arifwaran - Theatre performer
Jerrica Lai - Theatre performer

Philippines
Popong Landero - Theatre/pop composer
Geejay Arriola - Contemporary actress
Maria T'boli Wanan - Dancer/choreographer/artistic director of a
children's company in her indigenous community, the T'bolis of Lake Sebu in
Mindanao.
Ricky Todi - Musician of the T'boli tribe
Benny Sokong - A musician from his people, the Kalingas in the
North around the region of Baguio City.
Nestor Horfilla - A theatre director and activist for Mindanao people

Taiwan
Wang Rong Yu - Theatre performer and performance artist
Wu Shih Wen - Theatre performer and performance artist

Thailand
Pichet Klunchen - Khon (mask) dancer from Bangkok.

Tibet
A group of 20 lamas from Deqing at the border of China and Tibet

INDOCHINA
Cambodia
Kim Bun Thom - Court dancer
Mann Kosal - Shadow puppeteer
Keo Snguon - Musician
Ly Daravuth - Gallery curator

Myanmar
Myo Myint Myint San - Marionette dancer
Ma Ma Naing - Marionettist

Laos
Bounkhong Khuttao - Children theatre director
Khamsouane - Musician
Malawan Duangphuomy - Folk opera singer

Vietnam 
Ea Sola - Choreographer
Tran Luong - Visual artist




We would like to thank our kind sponsors in making this Flying Circus Project
possible:

Main Sponsors
THE FORD FOUNDATION, NATIONAL ARTS COUNCIL, ASIAN CULTURAL COUNCIL,PHILIP
MORRIS GROUP OF COMPANIES
The Indochina Project is made possible by Sasakawa Peace Foundation
With support from Airbus Industrie, National Parks Board, RJ Paper Pte Ltd
In association with Asian Civilisations Museum, Drama Box, Plastique Kinetic
Worms, Zouk
With special thanks to Hotel 81, Kazue Kobata, Practice Performing Arts School,
Singapore Dance Theatre, Singapore International Film Festival, The House
Foundation for the Arts, Yuen Chee Wai


    a.. MS MEREDITH MONK +IBM- A RENOWNED ARTIST FROM NEW YORK, IS INVITED TO
OBSERVE THE FLYINGCIRCUS PROJECT: 00. AS A PERSONAL FAVOR TO THEATREWORKS +ACY-
KENG SEN, MEREDITH WILL GIVE A CONCERT DEMONSTRATION ON 15 DEC FRIDAY 8PM AT
FORT CANNING PARK
    a.. SPECIAL THANKS TO RICHARD SCHECHNER AND CAROL MARTIN FOR AGREEING TO
SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS AND WISDOM WITH THE FLYING CIRCUS.
    
FOR MORE INFORMATION about updates, sponsorship and observership, please
contact:

TheatreWorks (Singapore) Limited
At Tel: - 3384077 Fax: - 3388297
Email: tworks+AEA-singnet.com.sg
Homepage: www.theatreworks.org.sg

The Black Box, Fort Canning Centre
Cox Terrace, Fort Canning Park
Singapore 179618