The Final Flyer

Leaving today to Aleppo

Right now I'm sitting on my suitcase trying to get it closed. The Green Monster suit is so big I almost have no space left to get any "real clothes" in there. But hey, who needs real clothes anyway?
The head I'll have to carry as hand luggage. I really hope authorities won't give me a hard time on that. Trying to think of a good justification for it if I'm asked...

Issa Touma has arranged for a permit for our activities. The hardest thing to explain was "why?", why do I want to do this, specially why do I want to do a workshop with children, "their children". Syrian authorities get very suspicious of everything that has no real, clear goal. What do I exactly want? Of course I can't say I'm trying to make them more tolerant for monsters... it was really a challenge to put it in other words, specially when things like the child's "developing coordination skills", "through a movement workshop", "get awareness of the body" don't make any sense for them either. I tried "entertainment" in the end, and it seemed to work... I hope it stays that way.

Now I don't know exactly what to expect.
Will I have a security force around me so tight that people can't even reach me?
Will I be able to fulfill my plan?
I know a lot has to be decided then and there. That's why I'm so much looking forward to arrive. I almost can't believe we're actually leaving!

New postponing!

The project has been postponed again!
Last week Issa called me and asked me if we could come later, he needed 15 days more to finish negotiations with the local government in Aleppo. He is trying to insure that all his future artistic activities will be permitted, so a cancellation of a festival on its opening day will not happen ever again. I wonder for how long will he be able to keep this agreement, if he gets it... But of course I will not go is this situation.

Zoot was really shocked with the news. It is very hard for him to change program like that: he is doing a Master in Philosophy and has a very tight schedule. Luckily I had left this first trimester of 2008 with a very loose programming, so I could, not with much trouble, change my dates.

Let's hope Issa manages to secure our activity there, so we can go. Our visas expire the 3rd of March... Also it is not sure if Zoot can make it, which is really a bugger, as I would have to find a new camera person in an extremely short time. Not to mention it would be a pity to throw away so many months of preparation together...

I guess this waiting is becoming part of the project too. Waiting, building up expectations, investing emotionally, and then waiting again. It's not easy.
It also makes it become more precious, and every time we have to wait, I have time to go deeper in the concept.
And to experiment.
Like we did last week in Amsterdam.

25th January: Kalverstraat, Amsterdam

Photos taken by Maha Hassan. Zoot Derks with the camera. Marta Pisco in the costume.
First experience being a monster in a crowded street: exciting, weird, feeling naked, feeling lonely, being loved and hugged by strangers, not being in control, gaining different powers, loosing identity.