Islands of Imagination, Portland  

Portland resident, costume designer and community artist Sophie Fretwell led a celebration of the weird and wonderful folklore of her home island, and creatively combined it with the mythology of another island: Japan.

This collaborative and community-focused project included 17 events across three months, culminating in a takeover of b-side festival’s annual Parade.

Sophie brought Artists from Japan to Portland to create new artworks, music and experiences with the community. I-Nichi wrote and performed a new song for Portland, one-man-band Eiichi Shimasaki performed on homemade instruments, and Takeshi Matsumoto brough Club Origami to Portland.

Over 200 people attended b-side festival’s parade. Easton Gardens came alive with bunnies, mythological creatures, illuminated puppets by Emerald Ant, created with residents of Bibby Stokholm and their Afghanistan group, and a new Spirit of Portland was revealed. Character designs by Portland’s children were fused together and reimagined as a new Manga-inspired spirit by Shiori Asami.

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