{"id":2198,"date":"2024-11-22T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-22T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/userblogs.fu-berlin.de\/urban-rural-migration-japan\/?p=2198"},"modified":"2024-11-23T15:42:36","modified_gmt":"2024-11-23T14:42:36","slug":"exploring-creativity-in-rural-japan-aerthships-passenger-program-at-takigahara-farm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/userblogs.fu-berlin.de\/urban-rural-migration-japan\/2024\/11\/22\/exploring-creativity-in-rural-japan-aerthships-passenger-program-at-takigahara-farm\/","title":{"rendered":"Guest Contribution: Exploring Creativity in Rural Japan: Aerthship’s Passenger Program at Takigahara Farm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

by Paul Noah Agha Ebrahim<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Located in Ishikawa Prefecture, Takigahara Farm stands as a tranquil retreat that tries to combine modern comfort with traditional Japanese farming practices. While the farm offers accommodations, it also serves as a place for community, sustainability and art.  The journey started with the R-project, an urban renewal initiative led by Teruo Kurosaki (TALKING Ultrasuede n. d.), and since then several other buildings have been added to the original structure of the farm (now being used as a shared house of the community), namely a caf\u00e9, a hostel and a workshop studio (Kahan 2023).  Anna Jensen, a prominent member, describes Takigahara as “fluid,” emphasizing its welcoming environment where people come and go, contributing to a diverse community.  Starting off with the help of government funds, Takigahara now lives off its events, workshops and on-site products (Kahan 2023).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Japan\u2019s countryside offers plenty of space for art projects<\/em>
Copyright \u00a9 Cornelia Reiher 2022<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A notable event was the \u201cPassenger Program\u201d, a collaboration with the New York-based multidisciplinary eco-collective Aerthship. Founded in 2021 by Tin Mai, Aerthship is a collective of creatives that promotes an earth-centric subculture through community-centered dining experiences or the exploring of urban farming in New York (Y+L Projects 2024).  The \u201cPassenger Program\u201d was launched in November 2023, inviting 15 QTPOC (Queer and Trans People of Color) artists from diverse backgrounds for five days to Takigahara Farm (Marcelline 2023). This program aimed at inspiring artistic exploration and at deepening participants\u2019 connection with the natural environment. Activities included silent walks through the farm\u2019s lush landscapes and workshops on traditional Japanese crafts like washi<\/em> papermaking (Y+L Projects 2024). Central to the event was the celebration of cultural diversity and artistic freedom. While half of the artists were from Japan, there were also participants from Vietnam, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Australia and the United States to share their unique perspectives and creative insights (Marcelline 2023).  Beyond art, the “Passenger Program” aimed at building lasting connections and inspiring positive change within the community. Journaling sessions, communal meals using locally sourced ingredients, and even movie nights became opportunities for bonding and cultural exchange.<\/p>\n\n\n

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