Exploring and discovering new places, collaborations and ways of working
Writer is Linda Young, participant of CUBE’s residency
September 2024, thanks to Creative Europe Theatre in Palm project´s 2024 residencies, I had a chance to visit Greece, this great country for the first time. I have spent my best summer weeks in Craftopia Hub & The Cube at Thessaloniki, with outstanding artists: Vera Katsimparou, Sara Lisanti, Sylvia Milton and Heidi Nickel. This memorable experience could only come true with the support of Evanthia Stavrou.
On the first week, we were getting to know each other and discovering the city. We visited MoMus contemporary museum for the feminism photography exhibition and created our images for the residency. Walking in the city, I realized that my soul was staying in my brain for too long time, and it was detached from my body. Thanks to stretching sessions and tai-chi class, I feel my soul has once again reconnected with my body. In the skill sharing, I proposed a exercise where we sang a chorus without using vocal cords. We also made a radio for the residency. I started playing ukulele too.
On the second week, I tried all kinds of Greek historical lyres and baglamas. I have got a lot of inspiration from ancient Greek music to my personal research. I understand better microtones and I can transport many lyre techniques to my instrument Guzheng. We also experienced hammam. It was a feminine space with water in the past, now it is a luxury way to empty mind and relax body. The rest of the time was intensive preparation of our theatre presentation on the last Thursday of the residency.
The 19th September was the presentation of our eco-feminism experimental theatre Ripples of Change at the Ergastiria dance school. I used only water sounds recorded by us during the residency, distorted it to present the pollution of water. Also, the movement on the stage was embedded with water video and became responsive to sound. The house was filled with audience and we had an enthusiastic welcome.
After the presentation, we had one day to study all kinds of cultural mobility funding possibilities in Europe, which was very helpful for emerging artists like us.
Two weeks go slow and fast. At the beginning, I was nervous about working with 4 artists in the residency, because as solo musician, I usually work alone. But once I arrived to the residency and took part in the activities, we become good friends very soon. Making of theatre sometimes challenges my idea of making music, but it’s also a chance to learn new thinking of creation. Personally, I feel more confident to use my body in my performance. All female working environment is new experience too. In my previous working place, noise music or entomology, females are the minority. After the residency, we have developed future projects. Sure, we will meet each other very soon.
Thessaloniki is a lovely place with animals and nice food, it makes me feel like at home in Canton, China. I will come again.
