(Montreal) Around a hundred therapeutic clowns from all over North America are in Montreal these days for a conference which will allow them to meet and discuss in person for the first time since the end of the pandemic.
Taking place from Sunday to Tuesday at the Center St-Pierre, in downtown Montreal, the “Meeting of the Noses 2024” conference of the North American Federation of Healthcare Clown Organizations is organized this year by the Fondation Dr Clown. Workshops and conferences will allow participants to refine their art, but also to reflect on the place of the clown in society.
The Canadian Press spoke with the co-founder and artistic director of Fondation Dr Clown, Melissa Holland, a few days before the event.
La PC: What does it bring you to be able to meet clowns from elsewhere in North America or elsewhere in the world?
It’s support. There aren’t many people doing this work, it’s an emerging profession. It is certain that little by little, we made our way into hospital environments. And for me, to be able to bring this world together and talk about best practices, it helps us to be on the same page in terms of credibility towards the healthcare environment so that it becomes something known and in fact expected that, yes, it’s a hospital, so there are clowns there. So for me, that’s really my intimate vision, that one day it will go without saying, like there are doctors, there are nurses, there are physiotherapists or nutritionists, and there are clowns because that it is part of the care plan.
It surprises me a little that you use the word “credibility”. Are there still healthcare environments or environments in which you are unwelcome or in which people doubt what you can contribute?
I think the image of the clown is still fragile. I think there is some education to be done in the type of clown that we are. As with all art, there is music that suits one person and does not suit another. Clown art is not necessarily for everyone. And it must be said that in society too, there are false images of clowns or monster clowns, where the image of the clown has been hijacked.
Pennywise (Editor’s note: the clown of the films Thatbased on the books by Stephen King), not to mention it.
Yes yes. He didn’t give (the clowns) a good name. So when people see us, maybe some will say “Oh I hate clowns, I don’t like clowns”. But it takes a few seconds and they see that, ah OK no, these are people who have artistic training, these are professional people who have sensitivity, who listen and who are really there to be of service to the person. who is in front of them. We have been in Quebec for 22 years, so I find that this type of event demonstrates our seriousness.
Exactly, you just said it, you have been present in Quebec for 22 years. What has changed over the years in the way you practice your art, in the way you work with children or the elderly?
It’s a good question. Among children, it is certain that the presence of technology has become a big competitor. When we knock on the door and ask if we can come in, we often interrupt a video game, or a film, or a chat with someone on the internet… Before, I can say that the children were perhaps no longer available because they were bored. Then it was wow, it’s cool, we can play! But it must be said that we are still well received. And I think that most people are happy to put aside their tablet, their phone for a moment, to be able to have a moment of exchange, joy and pleasure together.
And for seniors?
For seniors, it is certain that we have seen over time that the protocol for bringing elderly people into CHSLDs, the criteria have increased in the sense that the people who return need more care. 20 years ago, we could have lots of visits with people who had more cognition. I can say that the clientele is a little heavier. So for us, it’s an adaptation. What can we offer these people? It’s certain that it’s not humor, we’re not going to tell jokes, but how do you get in touch with a person who has their eyes closed, who is all tense, who perhaps has involuntary cries? ? Are there things we can offer? Through touch, through sound, music, rhythms and just the simple effect of taking a moment to be with that person, it’s incredible. Sometimes, nothing happens, but sometimes the eyes open, the breathing calms down, there is a change in the flow of the cry, there is something like a contact that is made nonetheless. And for me, it’s very touching to have these moments.
Last question. When you meet colleagues from around the world, what do you notice that you have in common? Or what do you notice that sets you apart?
What’s fun is that they say that there is something like “clown genetics”. We recognize each other, and not just with our red noses! There is a kind of lightness, skill, curiosity… These are traits that are very important for a clown, the desire to be able to adapt to his audience. But there are also different ways (of practicing clowning). American clowns come a lot from the circus environment, so their basic environment is a lot on juggling techniques, magic… And our way of doing things, (we work) more at the level of the character, therefore to develop the character which is truly anchored in us. We use techniques too, but it’s certain that it’s our character who comes first, who makes contact with the person… So it’s not whether we’re a good juggler or not, it’s really the vulnerability of the clown we present.
The words of Mme Holland have been abbreviated for brevity and clarity.
reference: www.lapresse.ca