Monthly Report: BENCE HLAVAY (July 2026)
July started with preparations for my workshop. The concept was for the participants to find a memory or a place in Hiroshima and portray it through a collage. The workshop went really well. Everyone was attentive and created beautiful images based on their own experiences. It was held at the Unité(Mottomachi Project’s gallery), which was a wonderful space for the workshop.
Next, we gave a presentation at Hijiyama University. We talked about our creative process and had a conversation with the students about our films. They asked thoughtful questions and shared really interesting insights. We also had the chance to explore the campus, which was exciting. It was my first opportunity to see what an art university in Japan is like.
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Between the different programs, I started shaping the scenes for my short film and began planning the exhibition as well. I biked around the city as much as I could, but after the constant rain, the intense heat arrived, making it a challenge to adapt. I discovered some wonderful places where I could escape the sun with an iced coffee. Simply wandering through the city became a great source of inspiration, and I came up with many new ideas.
On the 23rd, Zohar, Clara, and I took a small trip to Naoshima. We rented a car and drove to the port before exploring the island. The Chichu Art Museum and Benesse House museum were incredible. I had never experienced a museum quite like that before. We spent the night at a lovely hostel in Okayama, and the next day we went for a swim in Tamano's Shibukawa beach before heading back to Hiroshima.
After returning, I continued working on my project while also enjoying several small adventures around Hiroshima with the others. Clara and I ventured outside the city in search of an old Nintendo, and Zohar and I accidentally stumbled upon a fantastic cocktail bar.
At the end of the month, we had a walkthrough of the gallery and planned the exhibition layout. Going through the planning process helped me better understand what would realistically be possible in the final few weeks. It has been difficult because every day I discover something new that I want to incorporate into my film.
