Sahne Tasarimcilari Dernegi, Stage Designers Association
Turkish Center of OISTAT
Selimehatuncamii sk. 32/3
Ayaspasa - Taksim
34437 Istanbul TURKEY

Thursday, Nov. 4th:
Bus Tour of Istanbul. The day started with a site-seeing tour of the famous cultural and historic sites of Istanbul: the Blue Mosque, Aghia Sofia, the Spice Bazaar. After a lunch at the Byzantine Cisterne, we enjoyed a spectacular Bosphorus Cruise.

Commission Working Meeting - 1

1.0.The first working session started with an introduction and welcome words by the commission chair Michael Ramsaur and the host of the meeting Evcimen Percin.
1.1.Following a brief introduction by the participating members of the commission meeting, the agenda of the meeting was accepted.

2.0. Scenofest and PQ'07

2.1.Michael Ramsaur made an introduction to the PQ and Oistat's Scenofest giving a background to the creation and development of the Scenofest from original workshops to the vibrant center of the schools exhibit seen in 2003.

2.2.Barbara Tumova, a liaison person between PQ and OISTAT/Scenofest, informed that the next PQ would run over a shorter duration, from June 14th to June 24th
The current plans by PQ for the schools exhibition and the Scenofest: In 2007 the national schools exhibits will have no theme put forward by the PQ. The aspiration is for each country to identify their own theme. In addition the exhibition spaces to the right and left of the central hall, may contain a theatre/performance space in one wing and a lecture theatre in the other, taking the role presented by Scenofest 2003, and expanding it beyond the Schools remit.

2.3.Questions where immediately raised regarding the problems encountered at Scenofest with the sound transference from the exhibition space into both performances and lectures.

2.4.Babara replied that the proposal was still at the drawing board stage and would consider those practical requirements, as planning progresses.

2.5. Petr Matasek: The Schools exhibitions will hopefully be redefined, initial aims are for the schools to be divided not by country but institution, and to look at the idea of breaking barriers between exhibits. The schools exhibits will be located in the central hall of the Industrial Palace.
As a result of the success of Sceonofest 2003, PQ would now like to locate it in the central hall, with the schools exhibits.

2.6.PQ is prepared to provide 50,000 euros towards Scenofest 2007 if Oistat and other funding sources match the sum.

2.7.These points were met with a good deal of uncertainty to the practicality of the proposal. First due to the potential problems faced by countries with a large number of schools, who at present divide the exhibition footprint by number of schools. To not put these countries work in to a national context would be extremely difficult.

2.8.Secondly due the fact that the central hall is smaller than the previous exhibition hall, the planned Scenofest activity thus far, would be unrealizable. It was suggested that a Scenofest performance space might be required outside of the central hall and possible the need to utilize other areas of the industrial palace, to help provide spaces to accommodate other aspects of the Scenofest.

2.9. Sean Crowley on Content of Scenofest: The philosophy of Scenofest is still under formation but it should maximize student activity and collaboration. The schedule should allow more time for informal discussions after the performances. The Exhibition of Design project work will again focus around a piece of classical text Oedipus or Birds.Lighting, sound, costume and puppetry will also be allowed to participate.Presentations may include recorded work, models, images, video, costume, puppet and digital presentation.
As it was previously decided, at the meeting in Barcelona, the Scenofest planning should progress within working groups for scenography, lighting, costume, puppetry and sound. Sean Crowley asked delegates to approach him with expressions of interest to partake in a working group.
The aim was to further define the project themes and planning for Scenofest in a meeting in Prague in February 2005, prior to the world congress in Toronto in March 2005.

2.10.The identification of project management to support Scenofest was raised as an issue.
Jennifer Walker of Oistat may be able to assist in dealing with some of the organization and administration of the project funding bids. Provided the information was passed on to her, regarding the project details.
2.11. Introducing minimal participation fees was discussed and met with prevailing approval.
2.12. Michael Ramsaur brought up the idea of giving awards. After some short discussion it was decided that this is still to be considered and addressed again.

3.0. Report on EU projects

3.1.Chris Van Goethem introduced further information concerning Intensive Programs projects.

3.2.Frits van den Haspel informed about the The Service Center for International Cultural Activities (www.sicasica.nl), as a possible source of revenue for project funding.

3.3.Also useful is the On The Move website www.on-the-move.org
A web site dedicated to information about international activities, projects and their funding, in the areas of theatre, dance, music and other performing arts disciplines. It is intended for artists and performing arts professionals from the European Union and its surrounding countries

3.4.Marina Raytchinova added information about the main objectives of the Culture 2007 program which is to succeed Culture 2000 as well as about publications on E C proposals for the new generation of programs in the education for 2007-2013. The current EU programs will expire by the end of the spring semester 2007 and the current EU - America and EU - Asia programs will expire in 2005.
4.0. Report on World Congress Toronto

4.1.Michael Ramsaur: There will be a series of design excellence presentations as a part of the World Design Exhibition.
Subjects and formal presentations include:

Professor Alan K.Y.Nieh
Bill Dudley
Jaques Lecoq
Leading Female Scenographers.

4.2.The OISTAT Congress will precede the USITT/ ICCT conference, and it is planned that each commission will have informal open meetings during this time, as well as hosting the elections for the next president of Oistat.
4.3. There will be an open informal EduCom meeting in Toronto on March 13.

5.0.Report on the Governing board meeting in Taiwan

5.1.Maija Pekkanen gave a brief information on voting procedures, and clarification of the statutes of the Executive Committees membership rules and structure. There will be no proxy voting at the congress. Only the official (voting) representative of each OISTAT centre or individual from each nation that does not have an OISTAT centre may vote in the elections or policy resolutions at the comming congress in Toronto.

5.2.Michael Ramsaur raised the notion of associate membership of Oistat: schools membership and individual membership. The associate members will be nonvoting members.

5.3.An emphasis was made of the importance of Oistat's need to involve countries from Africa and South America.

6.0 Martemaria Scheunemann provided information about ShowLight 2005, which will take place in Munich, May 21-24.

Friday, Nov. 5th:

7."Scenography Education in Turkey and the World" - Open session of presentations at Mimar Fine Arts University, Istanbul (MSGSU)
hosted by Turkish OISTAT Center/STD and the Stage Design Department of MSGSU

7.0.The session started with introduction and welcome words by Evcimen Persin.
Presentations by the hosts:

7.1.Prof. Bengi Bugay, Head of Stage Design department at MSGSU
"Education at the Stage Design Dept. of MSGSU"
7.2. Assoc. Prof. Ayegul Oral " Education at the Stage Design Dept. of Dokuz Eylul University"

Presentation by OISTAT delegates:

7.3. Hye Suk Chang, Korea, "Effective Education Curriculum of Costume Design within the Field of Theatre Design"
7.4. Sean Crowley, Kate Burnett, Peter Farley, Ian Evans, Donatella Barbieri , UK, "Stage Design Education in the UK"
7.5. Jeanne Arnold, USA/Egypt, Cairo American University, "Design Education"
7.6. Marina Raytchinova, Bulgaria, "Pensil, Brush and Mouse"

The presentations session was attended by many students, professors and designers and was followed by lively informal discussions between the hosts and the OISTAT guests.

8.0.Visit to the Design Department Studios and students performances
In the afternoon we visited the design studios at MSU where the students had arranged an exhibit of their recent projects. The works displayed included elaborate 1:20 scale models, original puppets, beautiful costume sketches, realized costumes and props as well as preliminary sketches showing the process, and pleased with artistic quality and skill. The students were eager and open to explain their work and both students and OISTAT delegates enjoyed chatting.
8.1.We enjoyed seeing two performances, in which students explored shadow theatre and projection as well as puppet theatre techniques with imagination and taste.

9.Scenography exhibition
We were pleased to be present at the opening ceremony of the first scenography exhibition in Turkey. The ceremony included a keynote speech by the Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mr.Erkan Mumcu as well as formal addresses by Evcimen Percin, Maija Pekkanen and Michael Ramsaur.
The exhibit presented a huge and interesting variety of design sketches, realized puppets and set design models, most of the latter with simulated lighting. The big number of realized costumes displayed at the exhibit ranged between the richness of the Turkish traditional culture and the European styles.
The day concluded with a theatre performance.

Saturday, Nov. 6th:

10."Lighting Design and Lighting Design Education" - Open session of presentations at TRT/TV Studios

10.0. Welcome by the hosts from Istanbul TV and the Lighting Design Working Group of STD
Presentations by OISTAT delegates:

10.1.Ben Tzion Munitz, Izrael, "Stage Lighting Museum in Hod Hasharon"
10.2.Henk van der Geest, Holland, "LED at home (+) on TV"
10.3.Michael Ramsaur, USA, "An Example of a Concert for Live Theater and Television Broadcast"
10.4.Lee-Zen Chaing, Taiwan, "Lighting for the eyes or the monitor"

Presentations by the hosts:

10.5. Hayrettin Demir "An Example of a Show Program for Television Broadcast"
10.6. Ayşe Ayter "Lighting Practice in Turkey"
10.7. Abdullah Uyan "Lighting Design Education in Dokuz Eylul University"
10.8. Kemal Yigitcan "Lighting Design with Limited Sources

Special thanks to Ms. Ayter…?. , lighting designer, who also provided outstanding translation for the session.

Commission Working Meeting - 2

11.0.Michael Ramsaur made initial thanks to our hosts for the welcome and generosity shown on our visit in Istanbul, for what had been once again an enlightening meeting.

12.Sean Crowly reported that Scenofest working groups had begun to be identified, and an initial planning meeting was scheduled to take place after the election of the new Chair of the Commission.

13.Chris van Goethem and Jerome Maeckelberg reported on the WEB working group meeting in Amsterdam. The new web page will be ready before the congress. There is a new telephone conference service available - Skype.

14. Next meeting - 2005.
14.0.Kate Burnett and her colleagues indicated that there might be interest in the UK to host EduCom meeting. The next meeting will likely be held in UK (to be confirmed).

14. 1.Mikio Ogava confirmed that the intentions of the Japanese Centre of OISTAT to invite the commission in 2006. Tentatively the meeting for 2006 is set in Japan, Kyoto.

15. Elections

15.0.M Ramsaur spoke briefly about the role of Chairman that he had fulfilled over the previous 8 years, before introducing the two candidates nominated for the position of Chair.

15.1.Chris Van Goetham and Marina Raytchinova then proceeded to outline their backgrounds and their involvement with Oistat in recent years.

15.2.The voting members of the meeting then took the ballot with the following result:

Marina Raytchinova - 12 votes.
Chris Van Goethem - 5 votes

OISTAT president Maya Pekkanen declared Marina Raytchinova dully elected as a new chair of the commission.

16.Marina Raytchinova appointed the three vice chairs of the commission:

Sean Crowley, who will continue his work on organizing Scenofest
Chris Van Goethem - technology and EU network projects.
Michael Ramsaur - it was unanimously agreed that Michael's experience in organizing EduCom events and Scenofest would be a valuable asset to the future work of he commission.

17. In a wholehearted thank you speech Sjef Tilly expressed all commission members gratitude to Michael Ramsaur for his dedicated and excellent service as a commission chair over the last eight years and on behalf of all delegates presented him with the new Taschen "Full Edition of Leonardo Da Vinci's Drawings and Paintings".

18. At the end of the meeting Michael Ramsaur voiced all delegates feelings and thanked Evcimen Persin for the very successful OISTAT meeting in Turkey and presented her with flowers.

After the conclusion of the official part of the Education Commission meeting in Istanbul, many delegates stayed for a trip to Izmir and visit to Dokuz Eylul University.

Sunday:

We arrived early to Izmir and then traveled by buss to the famous ancient sites of Effesus, Miletus, Prienne and Didima. We spent a most delighting day strolling in the ancient amphitheatres and temples under the mild sunny sky of Anatolia. It was delighting and enriching experience.
Most sincere Thank you to Evcimen Persin and Gulsen Kirbas for the perfect organization of the day.

Monday

In the morning we were transferred by buss to Dokuz Eylul University where we were warmly received by professors and students from the Theatre Department. We visited the set and costume design studios as well as an exhibit of students' work.The exhibit demonstrated strong emphasis on transforming alternative spaces and historic sites into performance spaces.
We had a tour around the sound and the lighting design studios as well as a backstage tour of the university recently built theatre.The informal and engaging discussions between the OISTAT delegates and the hosts continued during the lunch.
Further activities included a ballet performance at the Opera House of Izmir, a walk through the famous historic city bazaar, farewell dinner.

Tuesday

Early in the morning we returned to Istanbul. This was the final day of the OISTAT Education Commission events in Turkey.

Very warm THANK YOU to our hosts from the Turkish Stage Designers Association and particularly to Evcimen Percin, president of STD, for the wonderful OISTAT meeting in Turkey.

Minutes submitted by Marina Raytchinova with help from Sean Crowley.