MAHO OGAWA: JAPANESE TEA AND RITUAL ROOM - 卯月UZUKI (APRIL)

Created by Maho Ogawa In Collaboration with Performers Carolyn Hall and Annie MingHao Wang Sound by Tomoko Hojo Japanese Tea and Ritual Room—卯月Uzuki (April) is a research-based interdisciplinary work expanding perspectives on Japanese Tea Culture, seeking new meanings in ritual, and finding common ground between Japanese traditional culture and contemporary New York life. Japanese Tea and Ritual Room consists of interactive installations inspired by personal rituals, as described by survey participants. Live performance activations of the installations realize the cultural intersections of the concept of "nothingness" that Japanese Tea Ritual invokes. During each performance activation performers will evoke a zen garden as human statues, stretching our sense of time so that we may find presence and stillness. Performances are being presented in tandem with the release of Maho's upcoming article in Push/Pull (published by Culture Push in March 2024). Interrogating her roots as a Japanese choreographer, Maho Ogawa started researching Japanese Tea Ritual for its formality, concept, and the social function as a community gathering. In 2023, she conducted a survey about personal rituals in the local community in New York. Results and reflections from the survey, along with an overview of Japanese Tea Culture, and an interview with a Japanese Tea Master, Yoshitsugu Nagano, will be presented in the article. COVID-19 POLICY: JACK acknowledges that we are operating in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and asks you to actively participate in JACK’s communal commitment to safety and health. At JACK both the artists and audience members are required to comply with all laws, rules, and regulations regarding the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) by the State of New York, the City of New York, and the rules and regulations of JACK. Please note that although we are not requiring vaccinations at this time, JACK will require all attendees to wear a mask. If you do not have a mask one can be purchased on site. In addition, we are pleased to share that JACK has an HVAC (Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system to help reduce airborne contaminants including viruses. We appreciate your cooperation and hope to see you soon.