Lanesboro Arts invites community members to join for the Farewell Potluck and Work-in-Progress Puppet Show with artist Akiko Ostlund on Thursday, May 6th from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at the Second Floor Studio in the St. Mane Theatre. Over a shared meal, Akiko will share her work-in-progress puppet piece with the Lanesboro community. The show is a 10 minute puppet show that covers various racial topics such as characteristics of white supremacy, Asian hate, the definition of structural racism, and the harm of passive aggressive communication. After the showing of the piece, Akiko will host an hour-long storytelling workshop where self-selected audience members can share their own experiences of challenging, surprising, or inspiring moments of racial interactions, all while crafting puppets together!
Akiko will bring an experienced facilitator, Jacob Miller, who has been a close collaborator in her anti-racism work with theatre company, Mixed Precipitation. The goal is to create a safe and casual space by setting up clear agreements with the participants before starting the workshop. By using hands-on crafting, Akiko hopes to open up a space for people to relax and share their authentic experiences. This workshop will then inform the next iteration of her piece for future productions, placing a permanent stamp on Akiko’s work from the people and experiences of Lanesboro.
During her residency from April 11th through May 9th, Ostlund will workshop her work-in-progress toy theatre piece, Racist Hotline, centering on an imaginary live radio/podcast show. Through this comedic puppet piece Ostlund hopes to examine how racism is normalized in daily life, and create a shared language with the audience in order to cultivate the culture that challenges the oppressive nature of the system we live in.
About Akiko Ostlund
Akiko Ostlund is a Twin Cities-based interdisciplinary storyteller, teaching artist, curator, and activist. The mediums she most commonly works with include poetry, music, dance, collage, and puppetry. Her work often includes themes of anti-oppression and social change. For six years, Akiko has worked as an activist creating both visual and performing art pieces that center around social issues. A native of Osaka, Japan, Akiko tells stories that reflect the narrative of immigrant women of color that are often underrepresented in white eurocentric society. Using puppetry, she aims to create moments for the audience in which they can slow down and be present, allowing them to take in the material more fully. As a non-native English speaker with a unique immigration story, Akiko brings another cultural perspective to community exchange. Telling these stories for social change with new people is a crucial part of Akiko’s artistic practice.
In addition to creating and performing, Akiko has worked closely with the Minneapolis community through teaching at schools and museums, working for large-scale community art projects, curating shows, and working as an anti-oppression and wellness coordinator for theatre company, Mixed Precipitation. These experiences have given Akiko vast experience at facilitating spaces where people with different backgrounds and abilities work collectively to achieve one goal.
**Masks encouraged for all indoor events, except when eating.
Learn more about Akiko and her residency project by clicking here.
The Lanesboro Artist Residency Program is supported by the Jerome Foundation.
