How New Connections Expanded My Creative Possibilities|Neighbors Miyamaedaira

In “Neighbors Stories” we talk with residents about the encounters, changes, and personal growth they’ve experienced at Social Apartment. This time we spoke with Ram, who lives at Neighbors Miyamaedaira and has been a resident for not less than seven and a half years.

What has Ram learned through life in a Social Apartment as someone who has long explored self-expression through music and dance?

—Ram, please introduce yourself.

Ram:
Everyone at Neighbors Miyamaedaira calls me “Ram”. Before I knew it, seven years had already gone by since I moved in (laughs). I had been working as a graphic designer and a burlesque dancer, but I’ve recently put a hold on both to open the door to a new professional path.

—What brought you to move to Neighbours Miyamaedaira?

Ram:
My workplace was quite far from my hometown in Saitama, so I had been thinking about moving out. Since I was going to move anyway, I wanted to find a place where I could practice dance and singing, and also have somewhere to work remotely during the day. That’s when I came across Neighbors Miyamaedaira. I remember thinking, this place is perfect for me!, and that’s why I decided to move in. Looking back on it now feels nostalgic (laughs).

Ram at her burlesque job

—You’re involved in such creative work!

Ram:
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved turning the ideas in my head into some form of expression. Even now, I dance, paint, enjoy calligraphy, singing and I try to put them together somehow to my work. I’ve also organized many events within the Social Apartment!

I recently “graduated” from working as a burlesque dancer, but for seven years I performed through dance and singing, bringing energy and joy to people. During those periods, I also had opportunities to create shows, and I realized that creation and expression is really fulfilling to me.

I wanted to fit in with the community, but I didn't know how.

—When did you start getting used to life at Social Apartment?

Ram:
It took me around 3 months to get used to daily life,but to be completely honest, it took me nearly two years to find my place in the community.

Because of my job, my schedule was completely reversed. I’d watch people starting to gather in the lounge at night and I would feel a bit bummed that I could not join as I headed off to work. Since I came home early in the morning, I would be using the kitchen when no one else was around. The more time passed, it became more and more challenging to join the community.

In a blink of an eye, nearly two years had passed and my contract was up… I even myself thought, “If nothing changes in the next month, maybe I should just move out,” laughs.

—What was the turning point for you after those two years?

Ram:
It all started when “A”, who was like an older-brother figure to everyone, invited me to join a group trip.
There were always events happening in the building, but I either didn’t have the courage to join or couldn’t participate because of work, so I kept sitting them out.
But this particular event was a one-night, two-day trip, and I thought, “This might be my chance to take it slow, talk to everyone, and finally get to know them,” so I decided to just go and see.

About twenty of us stayed at a hot spring inn. We soaked in the baths all day, sang songs in the banquet room after dinner, chatted about all sorts of things while being a bit tipsy… After that trip, I suddenly felt much closer to the residents who were living there at the time, and it became much easier for me to gather the courage to go to the lounge and join other people.

Scenes from the group trip

—Joining a two-day, one-night event as your very first participation is a bold move

Ram:
Looking back, it really was (laughs).

When I think about it now, the staff member who showed me around before I moved in actually gave me the advice: “During your first few weeks, try to show up sometimes in the lounge and greet people, that will make it easy to join the community!”
But once I moved in, I quickly got busy with work and life, and then it just became harder for me to do that.
Even so, “A” and the other residents would still talk to me whenever we crossed paths in the lounge. But at the time, I think I felt shy, or maybe I just wasn’t mentally ready to open up to people yet.
That group trip came at the right time for me, I thought “This is it, it is my chance!”
I’m truly grateful to “A” for inviting me to join.

Connecting with others opened up new possibilities in my self-expression

—Did anything change for you when you became part of the community?

Ram:
The biggest change was how it influenced my self expression.
After living here for seven years, I've experienced so many encounters and farewells, and I’ve been exposed to a number of people with different values, talents, and interests. All of that has inspired me, and it’s led me to want to try more things. It’s also influenced my work in dance and design.
There were times when other residents used their skills to support my projects as well.
I’m sure there are things I could have never made happen on my own, but because of everyone’s participation, I was able to bring them to life.

—Do you have a particular memory?

Ram:
One of the most memorable ones was being able to create a digital calligraphy performance.
When I was working on a burlesque dance showcase, I’d always wanted to incorporate my calligraphy skills into my show somehow. But I wasn’t confident in the idea. When I shared it with other residents, they said, “That’s such a great idea!” and immediately encouraged me, so I decided to give it a try.
I wanted to create a performance where each stroke of a character appears one by one on an LED screen, and I trace it with a large brush, blending digital and real movement.
I managed to scan my handwritten characters, convert them into images, and separate them into layers, but animating them was beyond my skill level… So I asked one of the residents who works in motion graphics to help me!

Scenes from the calligraphy performance.“Ichiyō Raifuku” means that after the winter, spring will come, a phrase expressing the idea that good things follow difficult times.

Ram:
I also asked my friend for an effect where cherry blossoms would bloom with each stroke I wrote, creating a performance that could only be done digitally. It made the visuals even more vibrant.
I truly believe this piece came to life thanks to the Social Apartment community.

—So you were able to create a major project with the support of other residents.

Ram:
Exactly. People would see me bustling around in the lounge and they would encourage me, give me feedback, and those who had the skills helped me out. Thanks to them, I’ve been able to create large-scale works that I never could have completed alone.

And it wasn’t just me,I've met so many residents who were working hard on their own projects. Each time, I felt inspired and thought, “I’m not doing this alone. I can take another challenge”.

Receiving, Giving, and Inspiring Others

—You mentioned that you also organize events.

Ram:
Yes. When we've had many new residents move in at the same time, I’ve organized welcome parties, and I’ve also held seasonal events. Among the events I’ve helped plan, the biggest one was the nagashi-sōmen (flowing somen noodles) festival. We actually used real bamboo for it (laughs).

Since Social Apartment Miyamaedaira and Neighbors Saginuma are both within walking distance from Neighbors Miyamaedaira, we thought it would be a great chance to plan something that brings the three properties together. I think around 40 people joined us!

When we were thinking about where to get the bamboo, we happened to see a bamboo grove from the lounge (laughs). We thought, “This is it!” and went to say hello to the neighbor who owned it and was happy to give us bamboo for our event.

One of the residents who works in architectural design even calculated the perfect length and angle, and set everything up beautifully.

A scene from the nagashi-sōmen event.

—I’m sure you also gave a chance to the people who joined the events you organized to make new connections too.

Ram:
I hope so. I think there are people who want to become part of the community but aren’t sure when or how to join in. I plan events hoping that it makes it a little easier for those people to connect with others or feel more comfortable coming to the lounge. Surprisingly, even long-term residents sometimes wait for the right moment to approach new people.
Of course, joining events can feel like a big step for some people, so I try to talk to new residents whenever I can.

— It sounds like you’re really passing on what was given to you.
Ram: Looking back, when I first moved in, I think I felt nervous because everyone in the community seemed so grown-up to me. But as they kept reaching out and talking to me, I gradually opened up. That’s why I want to do the same for others.
But lately, newer residents are taking the lead and organizing events themselves. I’ve kind of moved into the role of someone who watches over things and steps in to support when needed. It makes me feel happy feeling like the culture is being passed down.

—What are your next goals?

Ram:
I mentioned this a little in my self-introduction, but I’m actually planning to fully start my music career.

Through my work as a burlesque dancer, I realized that while I love dancing, my real goal is to focus on singing as my main work. I’m even attending a music composition school now. Until now I mainly used the studio, but from here on I think I’ll be spending more time practicing vocals in the soundproof room.

I still want to keep making things while making the most of the shared spaces, just like always! (laughs)

—Ram, thank you so much for today! Lastly, could you leave a message for anyone considering moving into a Social Apartment?

Ram:
I think Social Apartments are full of opportunities. I recommend it to anyone who wants a change, and especially to people who want to expand their creative activities, please take the leap and join us.

Everyone has their own timing to join the community, but it’s rare to meet so many people of different ages, genders, and backgrounds outside of work.
If you take the plunge and open yourself up, you might find growth and chances you never imagined.

And if anyone out there is doing something interesting, let’s make something together!

(Text by Ayumi/ Tranlated by Helena/Photo by Daisuke)