Session “Consciousness Transformation through Artistic Expression of Embodied Knowledge” Held
On September 26, as part of Tsukuba Conference 2023, held at Tsukuba International Congress Center, a session titled “Consciousness Transformation through Artistic Expression of Embodied Knowledge” organized by Associate Professor MATSUBARA Masaki from the Institute of Library and Information Media Science, University of Tsukuba, was conducted. In this session, experiential workshops were featured in the first half, followed by scholarly exploration and discussions on the main topic in the latter part. In addition to Dr. Matsubara, the organizer of the session, the following people spoke at this session.
- Dr. Neera Malhotra, Assistant Professor, Portland State University, the United States
- Dr. IMOTO Yuki, Associate Professor, Science and Technology, Keio University, Japan
- Dr. Chiara Robbiano, Associate Professor, Philosophy, University College Utrecht, Netherlands
Dr. Malhotra presented her original “The Transformation of Consciousness Brought About by Embodied Knowledge” program, titled “Slow Presence: Mapping the Body!!,” as an experiential workshop. Participants responded to Dr. Malhotra’s call by expressing the transformation of their minds felt throughout their entire bodies using movements, dance, art, and writing, focusing on specific body parts such as “hands” and “heart.” Participants had the opportunity to experience the process of exploring where their minds wander, what they became aware of, how they connected with the external world, and what they genuinely sought from within themselves.
In the latter part of the presentation, Dr. Matsubara, the organizer of the event, delivered a lecture on “Insights on ‘theatrework’ from first person’s view approach description – Model of resonance with 2nd person’s view -“. Dr. Matsubara explored the essence of Mr. Kokido’s “theaterwork,” which is another unique practical program related to “The Transformation of Consciousness Brought About by Embodied Knowledge.” This program incorporates methods through artistic expression and has garnered a lot of resonance. According to Dr. Matsubara, “theaterwork” involves becoming aware of interdependence as human beings by listening to one’s own voice from within the body. The transition from a first-person perspective to a second-person perspective is particularly distinctive. The presence of the second person leads to co-creation through natural resonance and guides the process toward poetic healing. This body communication is improvisational and not intentional, as he mentioned.
Dr. IMOTO, who has participated in Mr. Kokido’s “theaterwork” as a collaborator or participant, examined “The Transformation of Consciousness Brought About by Embodied Knowledge” of “theaterwork” from the perspective of cultural anthropology. According to Dr. IMOTO, aspects of “theaterwork” include the following:
- It loosens the standardized self and enables a connection with one’s “core.”
- It is considered a process of acquiring skills to feel along with the world by directing attention to emotions, sensations, and inner voices.
- In a judgment-free, protected space, reconnection with memories and multiple ontologies is achieved through the process of connecting with memories.
Dr. IMOTO suggests that the accumulation of using senses in daily life, combined with practices of “remembering” (mindfulness) and “adjusting,” leads to transformation.
Dr. Robbiano, a philosopher, referred to the words of Dogen Zenji while discussing the necessity of “The Transformation of Consciousness Brought About by Embodied Knowledge” in education. She emphasized the need to respect and understand all different beings with whom we engage in order to harmoniously co-create the shared world. She spoke about how Dogen Zenji’s words called for learning from them and seeing from their perspectives, highlighting the importance of how we position ourselves in the space we exist in. She recognized that one’s own experiences, knowledge, communication methods, and value judgments are neither neutral nor universal, and she stressed the importance of cultivating humility in our knowledge of different conceptualizations and experiences regarding what is realistic and valuable. In essence, it involves shifting the center from a self-centered worldview to various aspects of the world. To practice such a way of being, she proposed the reflection of this in education, emphasizing the importance of daily training.
Approximately 30 to 35 participants actively engaged in the session for a total of three and a half hours, from start to finish. Participants provided feedback such as, “Explaining what we received in the practical workshop in an academic setting was very refreshing, and it provided new insights and understanding,” “I experienced the process of perception changing as I explored myself,” and “I realized that answers and insights exist within myself, and I felt this through the practical exercises.” These comments reflected a strong resonance with the session’s content.
