Artists Spotlight: Chisao Hata
Chisao Hata, performer, choreographer and dance educator
Recipient of 1992, 1994, 1997, 2007 RACC Project Grants; 1991, 1997 RACC Technical Assistance Grants
Chisao Hata's work honors cultural traditions, even transcends them. Her movement/healing work forms collaborations with public/private schools, hospitals, peace and spiritual communities, Japanese American communities and colleges throughout the Northwest. She is certified dance specialist in the State of Oregon and trained in forms of modern dance, classical/folk Japanese dance, taiko (drumming) and physical theatre.
Chisao has joined with three other artists - Ping Khaw, visual artist, arts educator, and web designer; Kestrel Gates and LÃm Quảng who own and operate the HiiH Gallery in the Alberta Arts district- to create Harmos Project which seeks to do the following:
- engages Portland communities in the creation of a public expression of peace through ritual performance, movement, and art installations. Artists, peace and community organizations, schools and neighborhoods will join together in an artful process to celebrate our humanity.
- explores and values global themes of peace, surrender, reconciliation and compassionate action for the world, towards others and for our own lives. This event helps us remember and honor people whose lives changed from the destruction of war.
- creates a process for public engagement by involving individuals and organizations in workshops creating “flags of surrender” and personal symbols of peace, community outreach, and public education.
“We feel it is our responsibility as artists to offer ways for people to express their creativity and humanity amidst a world of global wars, community divisions and rising human fear. Creative expression, invention and action are the cornerstones for a world of interconnectedness, global well-being, and personal fulfillment. As artists we feel that human ecology is our greatest asset. Inspiration, diversity, dynamic expression and creativity are necessary to build human capacity. Humans are losing their connection to the natural world and our sense of identity and purpose."
In August of 2007, with help from a RACC Project grant, Chisao and her fellow artists will present Harmos, the human flag project at three locations for a Hiroshima Day memorial and public ritual for peace: 8/4 Community Based Performance at Unthank Park; 8/5 Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki at Japanese American Historical Plaza in Waterfront Park; and 8/6 Community Based Performance at Buckman School Field. For details check website below.
Contact Information:
Email: Chisaohata@aol.com
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RACC Staff to Contact
Mary Bauer
Communications Associate
503.823.5426
mbauer@racc.org
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