The possibility of co-creation in relaying memories

A case study of the art project after the great east Japan earthquake

Abstract

This paper suggests the possibility of co-creation in relaying memories by analyzing an art project in which people both affected and unaffected by the Great East Japan Earthquake created a narrative together. After the Great East Japan Earthquake, storytellers had actively relayed memories orally in the Tohoku coastal areas. However, twelve years have passed since the event and the development of the next generation of storytellers has become an issue. I analyzed the process and the characteristics of the narrative in the art project, “Under the wave, on the ground,” from the perspective of co-creation that includes involvement of the participants. The co-creation process produced various narratives that were different from the dominant story of the disaster and had a positive effect on the people involved. If diverse narratives are important for the future development of relaying memories, co-creation should be further explored as a new practical methodology.