The Theatre Times: On January 8th, a group of artists and activists erected a large tent in Gwanghwamun Square and called it a theatre. Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators had gathered in this area of downtown Seoul every weekend since last October to demand the resignation of South Korean President Park Geun-Hye. This temporary structure symbolizes protest against censorship, operated by theatre artists blacklisted from government funding. It is also envisioned as a public theatre, even though its flapping canvas walls can’t keep out the noise of nearby traffic or the winter cold. Amid some the most oppressive measures leveled against the arts since the end of military dictatorship, Korean artists are currently attempting to reinstate the theatre as a public institution.
2 comments:
I am in awe and completely inspired by these artist determination and resilience despite the odds thrown against them. I believe it is so important for us as artists to stand strong on our work and our beliefs no matter what retaliations others may have. Censorship has been a serious issue in the theatre community for years, and if we do not stand up and fight against such oppression than it may never stop. These artists do just that in putting their feet down and erecting a tent to represent and produce what the believe in, art. One of my favorite quotes of the article is, "This temporary structure symbolizes protest against censorship, operated by theatre artists blacklisted from government funding", because although the structure they built was temporary, the beliefs they fight for are long standing. The fight against censorship will rage on long past the day this tent is taken down.
What these artist are doing is amazing. I admire their devotion and courage to their cause. The part that I found the most interesting about this article is how they don’t want to use this as a model for public theater. I would have thought since this initiative has been so successful that they would have wanted to keep it or model the next wave of theater after it. However, it seems like the idea of the Black Tent project will linger no matter what. Another thing that I found interesting is that the next step for the people involved in the Black Tent project is a newspaper. I assumed that they would want to continue with theater but is seems as if theater is only their jumping off point for activism. I greatly admire these people for their devotion to their cause and I hope that they are able to continue the great work that they are doing.
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