Borjana VENTZISLAVOVA

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Borjana VENTZISLAVOVA

Participating Project	International Creator Residency Program
Activity Based	Vienna
City / Place stayed	Tokyo
Period	2024.5 - 2024.7

Purpose of the residency

My project for the thematic residency deals with traditions of superstition in Japan and how these are translated into different culture and contexts. My intention is to research deeper the topic on gender inequality and discrimination and the history of the feminist movement, to maybe lead interviews with some of the founding members of the movements. In this research I want to look not only at the political but also at spiritual aspects and particularly to explore tools for resistance and transformation in the history and until today. I would focus on superstitions as in Japan they are common beliefs. Superstitions are considered as sign of a primarily feminine weakness. In my project I would like to turn the cliché and to create artistic-magic rituals in order to mobilize the power of woman but also to heal acts of gender inequality. I’ll develop a script for a participatory video work, in which I would invite female protagonists to perform “rituals” for healing, empowerment and to express their “voice” through different actions and with various tools. I can imagine that in the process of making I’ll also develop a photography project parallel to the video or installation work.

Plan during the residency

• In-depth research on rituals, superstitions, and customs in everyday life by working with local people and communities
  
• Research the topic on gender inequality and discrimination in Japan and the history of the feminist movement
• Research locations for filming in the public space on places which have some connection to the history of feminist grassroot movements and events 
  
• Working on new works related to superstitions and gender inequality
• Meeting artists, curators, art critics from the local art scene

Activities during the residency

Through empirical and theoretical research, I learned a lot about Japanese culture, traditions, structures, politics, and history.
During my residency, I explored the city of Tokyo and its art scene, meeting new friends and people. Some of them became part of my film and photography projects. I made some very important connections.
I learned the Miko dance. I had many interesting conversations and fun times with my colleagues from TOKAS in the park, at the izakaya, at karaoke, and at the sento. I learned interesting things about their work and personalities.

Outcome of the residency

I managed to gather many impressions and explore most of the popular superstitions in Japan. From this experience, I hope to develop a photography-text based project in my studio back in Vienna. I completed most of what I had planned for the filming process of my video project. I hope to finish the work in my studio in Vienna as well.

Creator Information