Gei Symposium 2025 in Toronto
Japanese Canadian artists from across Canada gathered at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre in Toronto for the second Gei Symposium from September 19 to 21.
The Friday evening and buffet dinner was open to the general public and featured the David Fujino Pioneering Artists Awards ceremony. Among the honoured were Joy Kogawa and artist Naoko Matsubara, who both attended to receive the award. The keynote speaker was author Mark Sakamoto, who “shared rice” with the audience. Kasha Konaka, a Vancouver-based circus artist, followed with a riveting performance.
On Saturday, after a hearty Japanese-style breakfast, JCLS CEO Susanne Tabata addressed the group and provided several JCLS updates, which included a sneak peek of images from the Japanese Canadian Monument Park in Victoria.
A showcase of JCLS-funded projects by three artists followed and each presented snapshots of their work.
Dancer and choreographer Suzanne Liska ran a promotional clip for her upcoming “Tea with Mara” show. Liska explained how the title was an invitation to have tea with Mara or your “demons.” The work embodies Japanese Canadian and Buddhist mythology, practices, and philosophy.
Bradley Kurushima, a.k.a. Prince Shima, a multi-instrumentalist and producer, screened his music video “Sundown Curfew,” a single from his Choose Your Own Adventure album. Kurushima, through research, discovered locations in Vancouver where his family lived prior to their incarceration and revisited them in the video as empty spaces.
In her slideshow presentation, dance and theatre artist Kate Kamo McHugh talked about many of the personal moments and insights she experienced with her family while working on “Retraced.” The multimedia project includes portraits, recorded movement, and live performance.
Throughout the symposium, which wrapped up the next day, many artists expressed their thanks to JCLS for supporting their work. The purpose of these artist grants is to empower artists to create self-directed works without interference. Through this process, they add to the already incredible legacy of Japanese Canadian-produced arts across multiple disciplines.
The weekend event, sponsored by the National Association of Japanese Canadians and organized by the ACE committee, created an atmosphere of belonging where the arts and artists were celebrated.