In the centre of Seoul, a space formed through water, for healing and rejuvenation.
Performance Installation "Ashi-yu meeting" is created by Nottle Theatre Company (Korea), installation artist Naomi Ota (Australia/Japan) and sound artists Tim Humphrey and Madeleine Flynn (Australia). Inspired by a residency in 2016 at Kinosaki International Arts Centre, Japan.

Ashi-yu (footbath) meeting arose from the traditions of onsen and other public bathing traditions, considering the idea of healing, cure, and recuperation. In March 2016, we begin our research for Ashi-yu onsite at the Kinosaki Arts Centre in a favourite Japanese onsen town.

The work engages with the universal idea of a place where people may seek a cure for physical, spiritual or personal afflictions. We encompass the idea of a discourse on cure for social, cultural and political ills; giving a gentle context in which to broach topics that may otherwise be impolite in everyday contexts. We develop a sense of respite and the creation of a space with the possibility of communion with one’s own spirit and sense of self. In placing a footbath into teeming and vital public spaces we echo the sentiment of the Japanese writer, Shiga, who celebrates the place “which allows people to bathe in their own sadness” while having the atmosphere of being warmly surrounded by signs of life.

Subtle activities involving site-specific materials, designed by Ota connects participants through a simple activity. An attention and reinforcement of the sonic environment is designed by the composers, Flynn and Humphrey, and built into the structure. A careful refinement of script elements of Kim that initially take the form of a series of questions - about cure that query the human condition - emerge during the course of a social footbath, as performed by Nottle Theatre Company directed by Young-oh.

Concept and visual art: Naomi Ota
Concept and sound: Madeleine Flynn and Tim Humphrey
Concept and Performance director: Won Young-Oh
Script: Kim Hyun-woo
Performer: Lee Euna, Lim So-young, Lee Hyuk-jae, Jo Haneul
Assistant Director: Jang Woo-seok
Installation co-product: Kang Jiman
Producers: Kirsty Elem, Cha Nayoung, Kwon Pyeongyi

Moving image (4.17 minuets) Click here