CoNGraTuLAtiOnS IRFAN!
Irfan from the Photography workshop in Chimbel
Irfan has been with the Photography Workshop of Laboratory of Smiles in Chimbel for two years.
This year one of his photographs was sent for an International Online Photography Competition, ‘Postcards from Home: Show us where you are from”, organised by The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).
His photograph was amongst the top 20 received from all across the world. CONGRATULATIONSSSSSS IRFAN!
The photograph (titled 'Laundry') that was shortlisted in the top 20.
If you’d like to view the other 19 photographs, log on to http://connect.state.gov/page/photo-contest
Finalemente!
Apologies for the delay in update of the final performance; packing up and the several goodbyes kept us busy and away from all technological gear. Allow me to rewind to the afternoon of November 30.
Mr Technician fixing lights
We arrived at Shanti Niketan at 2pm. The school was empty. No children around, the lights were up, the stage was set and the checklist seemed well-checked. The lights were tested the previous evening; it was time to test the sound. Everything seemed fine, but five years of experience with technological breakdowns in the Goa shows had us ready to face all sorts of last-minute catastrophes. (2 of the 3 CD players did not end up working in the first performance and the technician was seen balancing on his toes and stretching his hands out over the sound mixer to hold on to a loose wire. Erica, in the meanwhile, was sharpening her chopper to slice the technician’s head off. And while all this drama was taking place, Sonia promptly replaced their players with our laptops and the audience hadn’t a clue of the balancing act backstage.)
Erica and Sonia, content with the sound check. (Least did they know!)
Rewinding back to 4pm. The children trickled in very excited to see their school transformed into a performance arena with lights, amplifiers and the works. Least did they know that they, too, would be soon transformed sporting colourful costumes and make-up. 6:30pm. The entrance of the school was overcrowded with an eager audience who engaged themselves at the photo installation of the Chimbel photography workshop. Meanwhile, the little actors took their positions. 7pm. We began.
The photo installation of the Chimbel photography workshop
Ninga and Solomon, opening the show with their act on stilts.
In the shadows of the dark
Playing between light and shadow
A balance of sorts
Sameness...in balance...imbalance.
Sangeeta -- holding on and letting go.
Winged freedom.
The crazy spinners.
The Balancing Act - FOR REAL!
It’s hard to express the many emotions that are running through us right now. Bags are packed, the goodbyes have begun and we’re ready to close this year’s project. We thank everyone at El Shaddai for supporting our every whim, a big big thank you to the Association of Mercurio di Riva del Garda where Sonia and Diego work, the Province of Trento who fund a big part of the project and all those who have made this beautiful dream possible.
The hardest part is to say goodbye to the children. But the best part is to know that they’ll be with us wherever we go, forever. Grazie! Shukriya! And dear Goa…thanks for all the fish.
LABORATORY OF SMILES 2010
The Balancing Act — 30th November.
Preparations and rehearsals for the final performance have begun in full swing. The date is fixed for 30th November and the flyers for the show are, well, flying all around the city of Goa. This has been quite an exciting week for us; costumes are being prepared, the technical requirements of light and sound are being sorted out and last minute glitches in the performance are being…frowned upon!
Flyer for the final show
The show is called The Balancing Act, as the theme of the performance revolves around the B word. The show will begin with the photography exhibition from Chimbel, which will have videos, photos as well as interactive installations from the workshop. Little actors on stilts and some behind white masks will then call upon the audience and take them on a 45 minute journey through various meanings and perspectives of ‘balance’.
30th November, 7pm. Shanti Niketan School, Assagaon, Goa.
Balance your way through!
Rehearsing with the masks
The fantastic Raju on aerials
The ball balance act
In the dance workshop
Roberta with her dancing butterflies
