Universal Language: Cultures Connected Through Dance
The Expedition portion of the program has been designed to engage students in creating a project inspired by the journey of Close to Silence. It will bring both artists and production team directly to the student through the use of web-conversational outlets, such as forums and chat sessions, thus giving students a rare chance to work one-on-one with those involved with the production.
The students have a choice of picking a project from our list, which was created to cover certain Minnesota Education Standards, or developing a project on their own. Some examples of the projects we have created are listed below. Students will observe and analyze what they see through the Journey, and then relate it to their project.
Completed projects will be rewarded by being on display opening night of Close to Silence on June 1st at the Southern Theater. Additionally, there will be announcements of contests from organizations outside of the Minnesota Shubert Center in which your students may enter their projects as well!
Projects can be presented in a broad range of media; from research papers to videos to photo collages, however we have listed media potential below each project. The ideas below are meant to initially inspire your students, however the success of the project lies in their own creativity in exploring a new world.
Project Ideas
Mystical Poetry
Muhammad Jalaluddin Rumi, the 13th century mystic and poet, plays a key role in Islamic culture and is one of the main inspirations for the development of Close to Silence. Research Rumi and break down the form, imagery, and elements of his poetry. Then, write a poem in the style for which he is famous and discuss the elements you used to create your piece.
Project media potential: Poem, research paper on Rumi
Area of Study: Literature and Creative Writing
Calligraphy in Motion
Calligraphy is the art form used in writing the Islamic language. Works have been designed using the graceful movement of the letters found in this language. Research the different styles of calligraphy and trace the history of this language. Then, create your own art piece or story using Arabic calligraphy as the vehicle.
Project media potential: Story, research paper on styles/history, art piece using calligraphy
Area of Study: Visual Art, History, Language
Arts on the Brain
Research shows that dance--and the arts in general--has been known to activate key areas of brain development. What happens to the brain when the body is spinning? Scientifically, what possibly causes the higher state of mind? What affect do the arts have on brain development?
Project media potential: Research paper, video demonstration
Area of study: Anatomy, Kinesthesiology
Music of the People
The basis of Ethnomusicology, the study of ethnic music, is Dance + Song and its integral place in society. Pick any culture different from your own, and create a research project based on song and dance’s integral place in that society.
Project media potential: research paper, video and/or audio piece
Area of Study: Social Science
Be a Set Designer
Creating the atmosphere and environment for a theatrical piece is a very important part of a production. Create your own set for Close to Silence, using the inspirations of Rumi poetry and Calligraphy, as well as your own personal touch. Build a model of the set you create, a document with the specifications, tools and materials you will need, as well as a budget that will harbor all the costs associated with building your dream set.
Project media potential: working model, research paper, budget
Area of study: Engineering, Industrial Technology
Unifying through Art
Bringing Eastern and Western cultures together is a fascinating and sometimes, difficult task. Put yourself in Wynn Fricke’s and Fawzia Reda’s shoes. Research an Eastern culture, then take any form of art (dance, music, theater, creative writing, or visual art) and create an artistic piece which combines both cultures.
Project media potential: video piece, audio piece, live piece, research paper
Area of Study: Social Science, Arts
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