The Art and Meaning of
Published on Aug 24, 2016
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The Art and Meaning of
Interfaith-Cross-Cultural Improvisation
this was a warmup deck for an article on Improvisation. The paper ended up very different from the deck.
Photo by familymwr
Cross Cultural Improv
- What is it?
- Why and Why Not do it?
- How do people do this?
- Meaning. . .
- Negotiating the Ethical Space
What is it? Well, listen and watch a little of this YouTube from Sing Fires of Justice, 2015. Performing is a university choir singing traditional Latin text -- Donna nobis pacem (give us peace) --a small group singing a Jewish work, a soloist performing a purification rite with chant in the muslim tradition, and a community First Nations Women's drumming and singing group. Weaving through each you'll also hear a type of flute: The Zen Buddhist Shakuhachi played in a traditional (honkyoku or 'original songs' manner).
Photo by babasteve
So What Is It?
- Artistic Expression of solidarity, unity, and community
- Power is in the artistic act itself, the reaching across boundaries.
- Expressiveness and beauty built through perceived similarties not differences. . .or the transformation of difference into something in common.
- Accesses our interconnectedness, our interdependence and inherent connections with one another
This sort of improvisation is artistic expression of togetherness, solidarity, unity and community. But, unlike pre-orchestrated symbols of community (choirs, orchestras, with composed works designed to symbolize these), improvisation's great power lies in the attempt itself, the very act of standing together, distinctively yet together and making the effort to create something together despite differing cultural practices, beliefs, not to mention wildly different musical systems, customs, and languages.
The practice of this improvisation is nothing less than the altering of perception. It's beauty lies not in finished product or necessarily in sonic effect, but instead is in the witnessing of the attempt itself.
The practice of this improvisation is nothing less than the altering of perception. It's beauty lies not in finished product or necessarily in sonic effect, but instead is in the witnessing of the attempt itself.
Photo by Jordi Payà Canals
Why do it?
- Creation of Safe Space
- Cooperation without judgment
- Moving and Beautiful
Most multi-choir or large ensemble events are in fact, spectacles, and in the Western art tradition each note, rhythm, placements, etc. are scripted, deeply so in most cases. Improvisation is ideal in situations that require tweaks, adjustments, in order to accommodate the situation at hand.
At first, this may seem simply novel. But, in fact, the the improvisational art form is perfectly geared to cross cutural and interfaith expression. Why?
1. It creates and holds a safe space for the expression of both difference and for cooperation without judgment
2. It uses uncertainty to encourage solutions and cooperative real time problem solving by planning.
3. Experientially moving and beatiful
At first, this may seem simply novel. But, in fact, the the improvisational art form is perfectly geared to cross cutural and interfaith expression. Why?
1. It creates and holds a safe space for the expression of both difference and for cooperation without judgment
2. It uses uncertainty to encourage solutions and cooperative real time problem solving by planning.
3. Experientially moving and beatiful
Photo by Joe Shlabotnik
How do you do it?
- Open minds
- Work from similarities and commalities
- Support, listen, support, allow, release
- Intention
The "how" of interfaith improvisation is actually simpler than trying to explain why. It is a part of a practice. That is, a piece of a larger part of community, reaching out, working towards solidarity and understanding. Music is never a silver bullet for problem solving, well, it's never a bullet anyway.
What's most important then, is not the methodology but the attempt. And the attempt requires or forces a significant shift of attitude.
What's most important then, is not the methodology but the attempt. And the attempt requires or forces a significant shift of attitude.
Photo by pixelthing
Facilitate vs Dictate
- Healing/connecting musics
- The shakuhachi
This music is not "directed" or dictated, it is facilitated. (to make possible)
Facilitation =
Facilitation =
Photo by David Bygott
What does it mean
- To hear it?
- To experience it?
- To others?
What does it mean to:
Me?
Debbie Lou?
Scott?
Kelly?
Jewish student?
Dawud?
Me?
Debbie Lou?
Scott?
Kelly?
Jewish student?
Dawud?
Photo by nbonzey
