PROJET IMMERSION PROJECT
2014
En mars 2014, UNIMA-CANADA a réalisé son premier grand projet en accueillant à Montréal trois marionnettistes de la relève canadienne pour une immersion de 12 jours dans l'univers de la marionnette.
Brendan Boyd (St-Albert, AB), Pia Banzhaf (St.Philips, T-N) et Shawna Reiter (Toronto, ON) ont pu profiter d'une formation de 36 heures auprès du maître allemand Frank Soehnle (formation offerte en collaboration avec l'AQM - section Québec). Ils ont de plus vécu leur immersion en marionnette en assitant aux 9 spectacles présentés au Festival de Casteliers en plus de 5 spectacles présentés au même moment à Montréal. Dans le cadre du même projet, une classe de maître de 4 heures avec Frank Soehnle a été offerte à Toronto au Humber College devant 41 participants. Cette classe était offerte gratuitement aux membres d'UNIMA-CANADA. (Cette classe devait être offerte à Montréal mais fut annulée pour cause de maladie du formateur.) Ce projet allouait également un soutien de 500$ à la section Québec pour la traduction de l'outil promotionnel Marionnettes (2013). UNIMA-CANADA aimerait remercier le Conseil des Arts du Canada pour leur appui au projet IMMERSION ET RAYONNEMENT |
In March 2014, UNIMA-CANADA realised its first pan Canadian project. Held in Montreal, the IMMERSION project enabled three upcoming Canadian puppeteers a 12 day puppet immersion.
Brendan Boyd (St-Albert, AB), Pia Banzhaf (St.Philips, NF) et Shawna Reiter (Toronto, ON) were part of the 36 workshop facilitated by the great German puppeteer Frank Soehnle (training presented in collaboration with AQM - Section Québec). They complete their immersion by participating in all the Les Trois Jours de Casteliers Festival activities including 9 shows on top of 5 other shows presented at the same time in Montréal. As part of the same project, a 4 hour master class with Frank Soehnle was held in Toronto at Humber College before 41 participants. This class was free for UNIMA-CANADA members. (This class was to be held in Montreal but was cancelled due to illness of the trainer). This project also allocated a 500$ support to Section Quebec for the translation of the promotional tool Marionnettes (2013). UNIMA-CANADA would like to thank the Canada Council for the Arts for their support to this first beautiful project IMMERSION +. |
“The benefits that came out of the workshop to my own artistic practice has been paramount in opening up new possibilities in my work. I am now looking at string puppets with a new respect and curiosity. …”The opportunity to meet the two other participants was invaluable to me. Not only did I learn about two very different perspectives on puppetry, but also to be able to discuss shows we saw at the Casteliers festival brought out many new ideas and ways of thinking about the art form. It was an invaluable experience and as I return to my own practice in Toronto, I feel a renewed sense of playfulness and delight in my work, and a new confidence in my path as a puppet artist.”
Shawna Reiter |
“Where to begin? Frank Soehnle’s playful spirit in teaching and exploring the possibilities of any given material emphasized the importance of this particular approach for my own practice and meshed so well with my theoretical research”… “It was truly amazing, enriching and motivating to be able to be exposed to the breadth of puppetry practice displayed during the “Trois Jours de Casteliers”-Festival.” … “ A big part of the positive impact the UNIMA-Canada Immersion Project had on me was the presence of the two other puppeteers. It was so helpful to be able to exchange our views on puppetry, on the performances, about puppet making in general, our personal performance philosophies. The Immersion Project has fueled my motivation to continue with my practice-led research and develop my own creative practice. Meeting so many dedicated practitioners helped me feel connected.
Pia Banzhaf |
“It was treat to partake in this workshop with such an insightful artist who approached puppetry with more experimental techniques than my own. Frank’s knowledge, kindness, and general willingness to share his knowledge made this one of my favorite workshop experiences to date. “ … “Being able to watch the performances at the Casteliers festival was the real game changer for me. We were treated to five days of non-stop puppet performances, art exhibits and artist gatherings. Not once in my lifetime so far have I been able to see so much puppetry, in such a condensed amount of time. Overall, this experience opened my eyes to the possibilities of puppetry and has encouraged me to continue in pursuing the art as my career and passion. “
Brendan James Boyd |