tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14178551.post2407825760295701009..comments2023-10-21T14:06:43.859+01:00Comments on Border Crossings Blog: BorasMichael Wallinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05796245815745673857noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14178551.post-84213391697725780202010-11-18T14:57:24.554+00:002010-11-18T14:57:24.554+00:00Hi Ros
Very glad you found the blog, and that you&...Hi Ros<br />Very glad you found the blog, and that you've left such interesting comments! I love Top Girls - and I'm trying to imagine how it might resonate in Japan... not a country I've been to. Yet. "Feminist imperialism" sounds a bit of a contradiction in terms - but I know what you mean. It's the problem that you have to decide on certain ideas which you regard as in some way morally absolute or universal - and that cultural relativity cannot be one of them... to assert the equal value of all culture as an absolute is self-contradictory, since many cultures do not hold that value! So we need a process of dialogue which acknowledges difference, but is also open to change. And theatre is a great environment to create such a space.<br /><br />Let me know if you're back in the UK for 15-16 December. You might be interested in our Practice Exchange on Intercultural work.Michael Wallinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05796245815745673857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14178551.post-28441062159663535152010-11-17T12:26:41.473+00:002010-11-17T12:26:41.473+00:00Hi Michael
I am delighted to find your blog, I'...Hi Michael<br />I am delighted to find your blog, I've just been writing one myself for the Citizens Theatre about my time in Japan. I am directing 'Top Girls' for the Tottori foundation as a pro/community production, in Japanese...though I don't speak Japanese. <br />I have been asking myself similar questions about cultural imperialism. Although I'm at very early stages in the debate. Looking at your research I realise I am very lucky, in a way I am participating in 'interculturalism from below'. The Japanese producers invited me (via the Citz) to work with them. They have an agenda to raise awareness of women's changing role in Japanese society and see Britain and British theatre as pioneering voices for woman's issues...globally. Yes it is imperialism..feminist imperialism and I can't help but be proud of it. My personal political sympathies get the opportunity to be played out in a national debate across the other side of the world. Should I be ashamed? I genuinely don't know.<br />At another level I am loving how intercultural collaboration teaches me about my practice and process. The mechanics of collaboration are shaping the production in way that would never happen in the UK. For example design meetings are overlooked by local officials, this was intimidating and at first seemed uncreative but now I see it establishes a fluid, transparent communication between the creative team and the money people, so far it has meant all those involved are more 'invested' and I can find valuable contributions from the most unlikely channels.<br />The production begins in earnest in Jan so now we are prepping via the internet which has other challenges. <br />I look forward to hearing about your next adventures.<br />regards<br />RosRos Philipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11674490208329369638noreply@blogger.com