Uchi うち
Uchi うち (2023) reflects on complex cultural identities of artists residing amidst a multitude of cultures, and explore the significance of the word “home” and “belonging” as it relates to diverse people and contexts. Uchi expands the concept of home material objects within the household and relationships with people can shape and transform our identity. This 20 minute piece is a collage of fragmented ideas and stories around the idea of what a “home” means to each collaborator. We use movement, video projection, text, sound, lighting and a wooden set that resembles a house to explore multiple meanings of domestic space.
The piece was born from the pandemic, as many were forced to stay at home and left with the feeling of isolation. During this time period of being stuck inside a domestic space, we grew interested in the true meaning of a home. Each collaborator on this project carries different ideas of what “home” means, along with anecdotes on how the pandemic has changed and shifted our domestic space, atmosphere and perhaps location entirely. Some of us refer to “home” as a physical space, while others find “home” to be a spiritual concept.
Project Created by: Created by Clala Project
Choreographed by Tomoyo Yamada in collaboration with dancers
Key Artistic Collaborators:
Performers: Anja Graham, Shion Carter, Kevin Locsin, Charlotte Telfer-Wan
Dramaturg: Brian Postalian
Rehearsal Director: Charlotte Telfer-Wan
Projection Designer: Sam Mason
Sound designer: Nicole Halim
Lighting designer: Christian Ching
Set Designer: Troy McLellan
Mentor: Hiromoto Ida
Produced by Clala Project
Performance type: This work is built for theatre.
How do you define this work: Dance, performance art, multidisciplinary, young audiences.
Length of performance: 25 minutes
Audience type: General Audience & Children/Family
General Technical Requirements:
Basic sound system
Projector (x2)
Basic lighting system
Large prop storage - for 4 wooden boxes
- The piece requires 2 projectors which can be provided and operated by the collective member Sam Mason.
- Projection for Uchi must be done from roughly ground level. A majority of projections are sent inside of the 2ft deep boxes, and these images will be cut off if not directly projected into them.
- A table as far downstage as possible needs to be set up (or anything that can hold two projectors up roughly table-height off the ground).
Alternative Venues/Spaces/Outdoors: This piece can be adapted for alternative spaces that have blackbox and general lighting capacities. It requires a dance floor that is 30ft wide x 25 ft. deep.
Required amount of time for tech set up: 40 minutes
Number of Performers on tour (including choreographer): 5
Number of Support Staff on Tour: 1 projection tech, 1 tour manager/technical support
Availabilities: 2025/26 Season, and 2026/27 Season
Clala Project
Clala Project is a interdisciplinary artist run collective based in Vancouver BC on the unceded land and home of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh(Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Their work explores the variety of cultures that influence their communities and collaborators. They research upbringing, various customs, complex histories, and idiosyncrasies that shape them. Artists collaborate to share the interactions between people, place, spirituality, and possessions through immersive and original performance art. The collective’s work is multidisciplinary and integrates interactive theater, projection design, and sound aligned with the strong influence of dance in the collective’s history.
Clala Project was originally based in Japan under the direction of Tomoyo Yamada and Chihiro Nukuto, both graduates from Mukogawa Women's University located in Hyogo, Japan. Their works have been presented in various places including the REVERBdance Festival (New York, 2016) and festivals in Japan such as Dance Jewels (Hyogo, 2016). Currently, the collective is based out of Vancouver, BC and run by Tomoyo Yamada, Charlotte Telfer-Wan, Sam Mason, and Christian Ching, who are all graduates of Simon Fraser University, School for the Contemporary Arts. They most recently traveled to Japan to perform and create Tashme (2024) in residence at the Kyoto Arts Center. In 2023 the collective self-produced their show Uchi at the Beaumont Studios, and notably have been presented by Dancing on the Edge (2024, 2019), Dance Centre’s Open Stage (2020), and Vines Art Festival (2019).
Performance History & Upcoming Performances
Uchi うち (2023) was first presented at Beaumont Studios (Vancouver BC) in March 2023. This performance was produced by Clala Dance Project, supported by Canada Council of the Art. In June 2024 Uchi うち (2023) was presented at Dancing on The Edge Festival (Vancouver BC), its official premiere.
Project Details
Outreach Activities
Clala Project offers community workshops centered around interdisciplinary creation processes using text, movement and projections design. This workshop is adaptable ranging from 2 hours to a 3 day, 8-10 hour workshop. It is designed to celebrate artists, creators, and innovators, guiding participants through developing their own movements using a multidisciplinary approach. Anyone who is interested in movement and creation can be involved with no prior experience necessary. Participants will learn to pull ideas from texts and projections, and how to adapt them to intricate and individualized movements that can be captured as films.
Clala first teaches movement creation and choreography. Participants will learn and practice techniques of developing choreography and individual movement styles through the dissection of texts by using basic gestures. They will learn to shift and shape simple language into intricate and individualized choreography. When introducing technology we further expand their movement through an interplay with a variety of projections, physical material and sound. Lastly we teach basic techniques in filmmaking to capture their and others' works. These techniques include learning visual storytelling to capture the movements with intention and dynamism, along with basic camera settings and techniques. Participants will finish the workshops with a completed film of their work to document and share.
As an interdisciplinary collective we emphasize the balance between mediums and inclusion of artists with various skills. This workshop offers facilitation in collaboration, cross disciplinary creation and a window for participants to play and explore new potential for their work.