Davy VAN GERVEN

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Davy VAN GERVEN

Participating Project	Institutional Recommendation Program
Activity Base	Maastricht (the Netherlands)
City / Place stayed	Tokyo
Period	2025.9- 2025.10

Purpose of the residency

With his stay in Tokyo, Davy van Gerven aims to further develop the installation that originated from his research residency at TOKAS in 2023. He intends to deepen its content by engaging in collaborations with traditional Japanese workshops and by exploring specific sites, archives,
and sources of knowledge. Through these encounters, he seeks to enrich the project’s artistic and cultural layers, strengthening its connection to
local practices while continuing his investigation into how scenography can translate research into immersive, spatial experiences.

Plan during the residency

・Meet with Tomiko Kato from the Nose Joruri theatre.　　　　
・Meet with Mr Miyazawa (Kabuki Paper Flower Workshop).　　
・Meet with Ayaka Kato, the National Theatre
・Research into the Japanese Knotweed and it's place in Japanese Nature.　
・Research into the Buddhist way of seeing connection with nature.

Activities during the residency

During my 2025 residency at TOKAS, I focused on deepening the artistic and conceptual framework of my project, which will be presented at Museum SCHUNCK in Heerlen, the Netherlands, in 2026. Building on the research I initiated during my first stay in 2023, I engaged with workshops and craftspeople from traditional Japanese theatre to explore potential collaborations. I also visited archives, gardens, and museums, and met with Japanese artists to gain a deeper understanding of the spatial, ecological, and philosophical dimensions of my topic. These encounters helped me to start translating my research into a spatial experiences that make its themes tangible and perceptible for an audience.

Outcome of the residency

During my second residency at TOKAS, I was able to deepen the connections I had established in 2023 and transform them into concrete collaborations. I engaged further with the paper flower workshop and immersed myself in Bunraku, a traditional Japanese puppet theater that has become a central interest for my installation. I participated in a hands-on puppet workshop, expanded my network within the Bunraku community, and secured a collaboration partner for the project. This residency allowed me to take concrete steps towards realizing the installation, making initial material choices and integrating the insights gathered into the scenographic and performative development of the work.

Creator Information