Aya Takada at TEDxTohoku 2012
The speaker, Aya Takada, asserts that creating a community and culture is a collective, active responsibility, drawing inspiration from youth in Canada who used art and direct involvement to influence their town's development. She translates this by leading local Japanese artists through initiatives like building an art gallery and developing a community website, proving that small individual actions are crucial for societal improvement. Her core message is that an awareness of one's role, coupled with passionate action, is the engine for positive community change. ## Speakers & Context - **Aya Takada** — speaker, uses art to drive community activities. - **Context:** Sharing the philosophy behind community engagement, influenced by youth culture in Canada, and implemented in her hometown of Shiogama city, Japan. ## Theses & Positions - The core concept driving community improvement is that *"We're the ones who make the culture of the town,"* and *"We are responsible for creating the culture by being involved."* - True progress requires active, involved participation, contrasting with a previous feeling of powerlessness even when questioning aspects of Japanese society. - The framework for action must consist of three rules: 1) Do what you can do (using available assets); 2) Take action wherever you are (not waiting for perfect conditions); and 3) Maintain passion and hope. - Every individual, even in a small city like Shiogama, is a precious resource, and even the smallest action matters for shaping the community. - The shift in mindset from feeling powerless to recognizing collective responsibility is the most valuable outcome. ## Concepts & Definitions - **Creating Culture:** A responsibility held by the community members themselves through active involvement. - **Artistic methods:** Use of satire and irony in art to uniquely convey societal issues to governing bodies like the mayor. - **"Creating a Society":** The awareness of collective responsibility held by youth in Vancouver that inspired Takada. ## Mechanisms & Processes - **Community Influence Cycle:** Youths identify local realities via walking/art/words $\rightarrow$ Convey issues to authorities (mayor/society) $\rightarrow$ City acknowledges youth's structural role $\rightarrow$ Community is built/improved. - **Takada's Strategy in Japan:** Inviting global artists to Shiogama to share values, aiming to inspire locals to realize their own potential, mirroring her experience in Canada. - **Post-3.11 Response (Sample):** Reacting to the catastrophe by visiting kindergartens/schools for workshops/screenings, fulfilling specific requests (e.g., new name plates, home shrines), and connecting volunteer organizations. - **Website Creation:** Developed to showcase not just promotional material, but what the community's youth *see and experience*, prompting dialogue on needed improvements. ## Timeline & Sequence - **Childhood interest:** Developing an interest in values, leading to study abroad in Canada. - **Canada Experience:** Exposure to proactive youth culture, leading to the adoption of the "we are responsible" mentality. - **Post-Canada Reflection:** Feeling powerless regarding Japanese society until realizing the importance of one's own agency. - **2006:** Decision to act on Canadian learning by building an art gallery space in Shiogama city. - **Ongoing Process:** Continuing to organize community efforts, including website development and post-disaster aid, which is an "on-going process." ## Named Entities - **Shiogama city** — Takada's hometown in Japan, where she established the art gallery. - **Birdo Flugas Art-Culture Group** — The group Takada founded to spread the new way of life. - **Vancouver** — Location where Takada experienced the empowering youth culture. - **Miyagi** — Region where, with artists, they began working with various communities. ## Numbers & Data - **2006** — Year Takada initiated her efforts in Shiogama. ## Examples & Cases - **The Skaters:** Naughty-looking skaters navigating lonely/desolated streets to observe and document town realities for authorities. - **The Art Gallery:** Hosting global artists to showcase and inspire local Japanese artists and community members. - **Website Focus:** Showing the issues and developments *as seen and experienced by the youths of the community*, rather than just promoting attractions. - **Post-3.11 Activities:** Visiting kindergartens and schools for workshops/movie screenings; creating name plates or home shrines upon request. ## Tools, Tech & Products - **Art Gallery Space:** Physical hub established in Shiogama city for cultural exchange. - **Website:** Digital tool created to communicate community needs, developments, and potential assistance (e.g., map creation, new product ideas). ## References Cited - None cited. ## Counterarguments & Caveats - Takada struggled to articulate *why* storytelling/involvement mattered until she experienced the mindset of the Canadian youth. - The initial struggle was feeling powerless regarding Japanese society, suggesting systemic barriers overcome by a shift in internal belief. ## Conclusions & Recommendations - Everyone must realize that their personal involvement and action directly make a difference in their community. - If listeners have any ideas or concerns, they must act on them rather than believing they are powerless. - The goal is to influence and inspire others to take action within the community structure. ## Implications & Consequences - The awareness of individual roles is crucial for building a society that functions effectively. - Small actions, when multiplied by collective awareness, lead to tangible community improvement (e.g., developing better infrastructure, social services). ## Verbatim Moments - *"We're the ones who make the culture of the town."* - *"We are responsible for creating the culture by being involved."* - *"How much involvement there is."* - *"I feel each individual is very important when it comes to creating a society."* - *"Don't let it slip by thinking that you're powerless, or don't want to get involved."* - *"This is what we did after 3.11."*