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SOPHIA SYMPOSIUM 2025: EXPLORING A JAPANESE FISHING VILLAGE THROUGH ART

  • Writer: i-comcul
    i-comcul
  • Aug 5
  • 2 min read

November 12th/15th/16th 2025


This Symposium will present the findings of a collaborative research project by artists and academics who have engaged with the people, animals, history and environment of the village of Kitaushima on Sado Island to produce art works inspired by this unique place.

Dance, poetry, puppetry, visual art, theatre and film will be presented on campus at Sophia University and in hybrid form, alongside a theoretical discussion of the research and the meaning and impact of arts-practice research within universities and for society.


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Wednesday November 12th / 18:30 to 20:30 (Doors Open at 18:00，Screening from 18:30）

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Film Screening:

North Cormorant Island

（北鵜島）

A documentary film by John Willams and Yu Iwasaki


L-821, 8F. Library, Sophia University

Saturday November 15th / 18:30 to 19:30 (Doors Open at 18:00)


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Performance of a Play “The Blue Tanuki Dreams of a Two-Moon Night.” (In Japanese with English text explanation.)


A play with puppetry, music, dance, storytelling and song, based on the legends and stories of Kitaushima and the surrounding villages.


Venue: KULTURHEIM, Sophia University

Format: In Person Only

Reservation Required

Registration will become available in October

Sunday November 16th / 10:00 to 19:00 (Tentative)


Guest speakers will reflect on similar projects in villages in Brazil, Norway and the UK.


  • Dr. Christine Greiner, Catholic University of Sao Paolo,

  • Dr. Elisabeth Brun, Kristiania College, Oslo,

  • Dr. Becca Voelcker, Goldsmith’s College, London

  • Poetry by Yasuhiro Yotsumoto

  • Artist Talks by Mike Collier, Hazel Barron-Cooper, Atsuko Nakamura and Ana Genioli.


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Venue: L-921, 9F, Library, Sophia University

Format: In person only

Registration not required

Details and times will be available in September

This research project was supported by:

ICC, JSPS, Sasakawa UK, Sasakawa Scandinavia, Daiwa Foundation, Sophia University Priority Research Grant, Foundation for Contemporary Arts, Sophia University Symposium Funding, Nordik Culture Fund, Newcastle University, Sado Island, Sado Galaxy Arts Festival.

Thanks to all the residents in Kitaushima, Masaragawa, Negai, Moura and Washizaki.



Images from the top to bottom

  • Mist in Kitaushima by Hazel Baron Cooper

  • North Cormorant Island flyer

  • Flyer image for the play 青いトンチンボの夢に月ふたつ

  • Nyksund in Northern Norway



 
 
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