What we do

Shimokitazawa International Puppet Festival (SIPF)

  • Organization : Non-profit Organization Deku Art Foum
  • Section : None
  • Type of Grant Program : Single

Outline

This festival is held to showcase new forms of puppet theater/object theater so that younger generations can feel a sense of “ownership” of puppetry as an artform. As well as hosting a collection of works representing the latest trends in contemporary puppetry, numerous additional events will enable new audiences to map out the creative actualities of the field and understand its history and context. As well as introducing top works from overseas, the event is also intended to serve as an incubator encouraging the entry of young domestic artists into the genre.

Main performances
Darragh McLoughlin (Ireland)/Stickman, Blind Summit (UK)/The Table, Opposable Thumb Theater (UK)/Coulrophobia, Teatro Matita (Slovenia)/Dog’s Life, MEHEDAHA (Czech Republic)/Reunion, DAMUZA & Fekete Seretlek (Czech Republic)/KAR, Divadlo Alfa (Czech Republic)/Mr. Kasper and his Goofy Family, Ariel Doron (Germany)/Boxed.
Additional programs
International Puppet Slam (a series of short-form puppet acts), Breakfast Puppet Club (artist talk), lectures, publication of a daily bulletin, free outdoor performances, workshops.

Profile

【Non-profit Organization Deku Art Foum】
DEKU ART FORUM is a non-profit organization established in Tokyo, Japan in 2021. Our main mission is to promote and develop the art of puppetry in Japan and its connection to puppetry arts throughout the world. We provide creative support for puppetry in areas related to both research and practice. We provide information on overseas puppet theaters; offer linguistic and production support for Japanese puppet companies to participate in overseas performances and festivals; plan and produce festivals of international work in Japan; and organize conferences and lectures on puppetry arts.

Venues

The Suzunari, Shimokitazawa Alley Hall, Shimokita Senrogai Open Space, BONUS TRACK (all in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo)