PSU: Butoh, Permaculture, and Sustainability

Portland State University Presents:

Butoh Dance, Permaculture Design and Sustainability
Permaculture is an approach to designing human settlements and agriculture systems that are modeled on the relationships found in natural ecologies. Butoh is an approach to developing presence and expression in the body and creating performance through images, both grotesque and exquisite, of the natural world. Although disparate fields, both require of practitioners a cultivation of sensitivity to the world around them and their place within it. In this course, led by butoh artist Mizu Desierto, participants will meet in the ecosystem of an urban farm and begin a process of site analysis each morning by spending time in the environment and sharing in basic farm tasks. Throughout the first week, Andrew Millison will teach a basic introduction to the principles of Permaculture design. Students will conclude each day practicing the introductory principles of butoh, utilizing the images of the urban farm environment and permaculture lessons to explore the concepts through movement and physical expression. During the second week, guest butoh artist, Haruko Nishimura will assist in leading students in the creation of a site-specific ecological performance integrating the studies of Permaculture into the creation of a performative offering for the community. The entire course and project will be filmed, archived and included in a documentary film on local and sustainable culture, urban farms and ecological art. The two week workshop will conclude with a public performance by the students and our guest artist.
This is a 4 credit course TA 406, JPN 410/510 099,
July 18th-29th, 2011; Monday-Friday 9am-1pm
*students will also be required to participate in the performance on Friday, July 29th and should
have the hours of 5pm-10pm available.
Introduction to Permaculture taught by Andrew Millison

Introduction to Butoh taught by Mizu Desierto

Butoh & Performance taught by Mizu Desierto & Haruko Nishimura

Filming and Editing by Kevin D. Balmer & Diggable Monkey Productions