design inspirations from Kyoto

In 2012, turn a carp into a dragon

2012-01-23T11:11:00.005+09:00

Today, on January 23rd 2012 of the solar calendar, starts the New Year according of the lunar calendar, which was traditionally used in Asia. It stands under the sign of the dragon.

The Asian dragon is, contrary to those of the European tradition, no evil fire breathing monster, it is a most auspicious symbol. The dragon is special, among all the 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac, it is the only fabulous creature, consisting of various animals. In its appearance, you may recognize the trunk of a snake, the horns of a deer, the claws of an eagle, the scales of a carp, the head of a cow, fangs of a tiger, and, and, and...
And even though the dragon has no visible wings, it can fly.

Countless legends and stories are told about the extraordinary power and abilities of these dragons. Among them, I particularly like the one of the carp, which manages to leap up a waterfall and as a result turns into a dragon. It is an ancient story of Chinese origin; in Zen Buddhism, it is considered as a symbol for enlightenment; and it promises change to the better for those who dare to venture into the seemingly impossible.

With this in mind, I wish you a Happy New Year. 2012 seems to be the right year to successfully take on important endeavors and challenges. Abundant bravery, endurance and achievement to us all!

And for all of you who are in Kyoto or plan to come, in the garden of Kinkaku-ji, the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, you can see a marvelous waterfall, the „ryuumontaki“, dragon gate waterfall. Its stone arrangement takes up the theme of the carp striving for metamorphosis.

Café de OSAKA reporter

2011-12-08T11:11:00.000+09:00

Today I would like to welcome you to Café de OSAKA, an official social media project by the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau. It is all in English and involves real people sharing their personal highlights of Osaka -- so expect also some exciting insider information.

I am happy to be one of their reporters and will contribute with exhibition reports like I do here, but also take the opportunity to explore Osaka more and share my discoveries.
My first piece is about the exhibition "Ways of Worldmaking" at the National Museum of Art Osaka, which runs until Sunday, December 11th. (Opening hours: 10:00 - 17:00, on Fridays until 19:00, last admission: 30 minutes before closing, Admission Fee: 850 Yen, Map). Great works of paramodel, Ryota Kuwakubo and others await you there. Please check my report on Café de OSAKA.

The Agenda moved...

2011-12-01T11:11:00.000+09:00

to Google Calendar!

Dear readers,
I have been absent quite a while, however, there is a lot I want to share with you. Several changes to the site are on my mind, but for today, let me give you the link to the Agenda on Google Calendar.
From now on, this is the place where you can find those events you previously discovered on the agenda. If you use Google Calender and like my picks, you can even add the Agenda to your list of calenders. Via twitter, I will also inform about new events added there.

That way, it is easier for me, to point you to interesting events - even during busy times.

More soon.

Inspire Japan

2011-04-15T22:22:00.006+09:00

The Global PechaKucha Day - Inspire Japan is tomorrow (April 16th)!

The one in Kyoto takes place at Butterfly Kyoto 17:00-20:00. Admission is 1000 Yen (incl. 1 drink) plus suggested donation of 1000 Yen in support of the victims of the disasters in Eastern Japan.

I'll be one of the presenters, talking about the Japanese Packaging Design Exhibition , and I'm already nervous!!!

Have a look at the list of presentations, it is going to be an interesting evening:

1. Micah Gampel (Photographer) - Cell phone photography
2. Hosokai Yui (Art Complex) - 300 ways to learn, 300 workshops; the International Workshop Festival [300 DOORS]
3. Christine Flint Sato (Sumi artist) - Sumi Work
4. Kawakami Takafumi (Shunko-in temple) - Religion and Science: Zen
5. Bianca Beuttel (designer-essayist) - Japan Package Design Exhibition and beyond

- Break -

6. Felicity Greenland (Singer) - Singing Around the Table
7. Niimoto Ryoichi (Writer/Kyoto University of Art and Design)
8. Kit Adran (Astrologer)
9. Ishibashi Keigo（Representative director of gallery neutron & ART FAIR KYOTO committee ) - The Future of Japanese Art from Today
10. Aileen Mioka Smith - Green Action Japan
11. Yanai Shinichi (Artist) + Ito Shinya (photographer) - Daily Life (in Fukushima)

See you there!

Kyoto Promotion Poetry #9

2011-04-14T11:11:00.005+09:00

..........
In 2007, I wrote this article about "Japanese Product Poetry".
In Kyoto, however, not only products but also restaurants, shops etc. make use of these poem-like sentences, trying to capture the unique, Kyoto-esque point of their service.
To figure out what's so special with Kyoto, they have their say here.

Happy Birthday Buddha!!!

2011-04-08T11:11:00.002+09:00

Agenda: April 04 - 17, 2011 / feat. "Conversation With/About Abstract Objects"

2011-04-03T22:22:00.298+09:00

A unprecedented earthquake and tsunami hit Northern Japan, nuclear plants gone out of control, creating a situation that leaves us all in uncertainty of the future...
More than 3 weeks have passed since then and I haven't said anything here. Dear readers, I have to apologize. But to be honest, I was struggling with the right words. I drafted several posts, but finally, I decided to weave my thoughts into the usual posts and articles to come.
As one result, the Agenda has a new regular feature: "CONTINUE HELPING JAPAN". Please scroll down for it.

And due to the upcoming Japanese Packaging Design Exhibition in Germany, the Agenda still covers two weeks.

This fortnight's feature:
"Conversation With/About Abstract Objects" at MUZZ space, Kyoto

Yes, I've always believed a hardware store is an inspirational place. A place where ideas origin and/or take shape... This exhibition, however, goes far beyond: Out of the sudden, it takes you from the realms of mundane utility to in-depth thoughts on "What is art?".

Most of the artworks exhibited are made from goods available at a hardware store. Tape, paint, boxes, lumber, shelves... But they challenge us to look at them differently.
Physically -- Takaaki Izumi's "Pallet" (2011), seen above, made me kneel down -- and intellectually. Like the objects Mathieu Mercier used for "Drum & Bass" (2011), seen below.

Do you regard the blue boxes on the black shelf still as blue boxes on a black shelf? Or have they transfomed into something different, into a reference to modern art history?
Are they art now?
And if so, is it art because it mimics a famous artwork? Or because of the context of its presentation? (The gallery space, by the way, is a former hardware shop.) Or because the artist declared it as art? Or because the audience sees something in it, which elevates it from being a mere assemblage of hardware store products?
Is the label "art" eventually unnecessary?

As the title of the exhibition suggests, we are already in the middle of a conversation with these concrete objects about the abstract concepts we think they might represent.
No, wait... it's just what I think. Influenced by the fact that Mathieu Mercier is the winner of the Marcel Duchamp Prize in 2003, I recalled some of Duchamp's thoughts...

So, don't miss your chance to interview the objects yourself.

Other participating artists are Soshi Matsunobe, featured here before, Koki Tanaka, Yuki Kimura and Kaz Oshiro.
Super Window Project in collaboration with MUZZ at HI-NEST building, until April 24; on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 13:00 – 20:00.

..........
Additional remark:
The exhibition was opened about one week after the Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake struck. Holding an exhibition at that time as well, I was particularly impressed by the words of the opening statement:

"An exhibition is a modest and somehow absurd way to prove ourselves to the world, but this is the only one that we have found, and through it, we managed to stay alive, while fear, devastation and death is still striking Japan."

Read the whole message on Abitare.
..........

KYOTO

Exhibition "Kyogei - Transmit Program #2 - Displacement" at gallery @KCUA of the Kyoto City University of Arts (April 09 - May 22; 11:00 - 19:00, closed on Monday; opening reception: April 09, from 17:00 on).

Exhibition "Modern Architecture in Kyoto" at the Museum and Archives of the Kyoto Institute of Technology (until May 08, 2011; 10:00-17:00, closed on Sundays and national holidays; admission: 200 Yen).

"Conversation with Mr. H" by Ayako Kurihara at DEMADO Contemporary Art Project (until June 01, 2011; access).

recommended:

An art lecture from the hardware store

Exhibition Conversation With/About Abstract Objects, a collaboration between Super Window Project and MUZZ at HI-NEST building (until April 24; on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 13:00 – 20:00).

Observe obscure systems operating behind the scenes

Tetsuya Umeda solo exhibition at art project room ARTZONE (until April 24; on workdays 13:00 - 20:00, on Sundays and holidays 12:30 - 20:00, on the last day until 17:00).

20 x 20 for Japan

INSPIRE JAPAN - Pecha Kucha Night Kyoto Vol. 3 at Butterfly Kyoto (Saturday, April 16; 17:00-20:00; admission: 1000 Yen (incl. 1 drink) plus suggested donation of 1000 Yen).

Design shopping

novelax store exhibition at the URBAN RESEARCH shop in Teramachi street (until April 29; 11:00 - 21:00). New products and favourites. More about last year's exhibition here.

OSAKA

Exhibition TROPE at graf mouth（until May 15, 11:30-20:00; closed on Mondays).

Exhibition "Shueitai 100" at ddd gallery (until May 11; 11:00 - 19:00, on Saturdays until 18:00; closed on Sundays, Mondays and national holidays) and at Morisawa & Company, Ltd. (until May 11; 10:00 - 17:00; closed on Saturdays, Sundays, Monday and national holidays; map).

Exhibition "Air Hole: Another Form of Conceptualism from Asia" at the National Museum of Art Osaka (until June 5, 2011; 10:00 - 17:00, on Fridays until 19:00, closed on Mondays; admission: 420 Yen).

recommended:

Foreigner’s Live Art Guide

For more exhibitions and events about art and design in Osaka rely on FLAG.

CONTINUE HELPING JAPAN

We all have seen the devastating pictures of the Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake and Tsunami. It goes without saying that rebuilding Japan will take time. Thus, as a new regular part of the agenda, I decided to offer some suggestions on how to keep on supporting Japan in this time of suffering and need.

Donate and ring the bell in prayer for the victims of the Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake at Kodaiji Temple in Kyoto (until April 10; 10:00-16:00).

Make the 11th of each month a day to donate, e. g. to the Red Cross Japan. (Illustration credit: Jacob Cass).

Join the Zoukin (cleaning rag) Project by the sewing cafe Sibayo, and make rags for the people in Nothern Japan to help them cleaning up their houses. The rags should be made from old cotton towels. Choose a thread in a cheerful colour to sew them. The instructions are in Japanese, but very easy to grasp. It's very simple, even for sewing newbies. Sibayo collects the rags and sends them there.

Come to the INSPIRE JAPAN - Pecha Kucha Night Kyoto Vol. 3 at Butterfly Kyoto (Saturday, April 16; 17:00-20:00; admission: 1000 Yen (incl. 1 drink) plus suggested donation of 1000 Yen).

Speak up against nuclear power. For those who understand Japanese, please sign Greenpeace Japan's online petition for safe energy. Until April 24. (Illustration credit: Atomausstieg selber machen).

..........
On the Agenda are events in Kyoto - and also in Osaka and Kobe - that I'm interested in and plan to attend -- shamelessly subjective.
Although the list isn't meant to be complete, I hope it provides some valuable tips for those interested in art and design in Kansai.
Kindly note that the above dates and times are subject to change.

Agenda: March 07 - 21, 2011 / feat. Stephan Balkenhol

2011-03-06T22:22:00.112+09:00

Feels funny to have an own event on the agenda this time: The Japanese Package Design Exhibition in Osaka until March 21. Still a lot to do, so the Agenda continues to cover two weeks.

The artist next to his work at the opening talk

This fortnight's feature:
Stephan Balkenhol at Tomio Koyama Gallery, Kyoto

When you go to a foreign country, you often observe things more precisely than the local inhabitants.*)

I was in the final preparations for the JPDEx exhibition, which shows Japanese package design from a foreigner's point of view, when I was attending the opening talk of Stephan Balkenhol's exhibition. And so his words particularly resonated with me.

With his new works, German artist Balkenhol tried to tune in Japan*), digesting impressions of previous trips to Japan. The work with the drawing behind the yellow-orange jalousie (see picture below), as he explained further, was inspired by the strong colors used to advertise Japanese drugstores.
Balkenhol is famous for his wood sculptures, but notice the clasped hands of the one next to him on the picture above. The whole arrangement with the panel in the background is influenced by the sublime minimalism of traditional Japanese esthetics.

My notes with the exhibition flyer, kindly signed by the artist

But saying all this might already be too much. Balkenhol doesn't want to charge his work with a story, he prefers to leave the interpretation open to the recipient. His works do not portray certain persons, they rather picture "jedermann" (anyone). Thus, they are also considerd as a mirror, where you can discover yourself and -- in the case of the current exhibition at Tomio Koyama Gallery -- a reflection of Japan.
Tomio Koyama Gallery, Kyoto, until March 19; 11:00 - 19:00; closed on Sunday, Monday and on national holidays.
*) Sentences in italics are only paraphrases, NO original quotations by Stephan Balkenhol.

KYOTO

Special Video Screening for the movie Horikawanakatachiuri at kara-S (March 07, 11:00-18:00 and March 08, 11:00-20:00).

Exhibition "tightrope walking" at Kyoto Art Center (March 08 - 27, 2011; 10:00-20:00).

Kyoto Original Product Shop Exhibition featuring Bolts Hardware Store and Pull + Push Products at Fujii Daimaru department store (2F, March 12 - 21, 2011; 10:30 - 20:00).

Exhibition "Conversation With/About Abstract Objects", a collaboration between Super Window Project and MUZZ Program space at the HI-NEST building (March 19 - April 24; on Saturdays and Sundays 12:00 – 20:00).

Exhibition "To celebrate the 60th anniversary of Raku Kichizaemon XV - Part II: From Tenmon to Today" at the Raku Museum (until March 13 2011; 10:00 - 16:30, closed on Mondays; admission: 900 Yen; there are special "Handling Sessions" on the first Saturday and Sunday of each month (2000 Yen, includes admission).

Exhibition "In Absentia" by LG Williams, at Super Window Project (until March 27; on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 13:00 - 20:00).

Exhibition "Modern Architecture in Kyoto" at the Museum and Archives of the Kyoto Institute of Technology (until May 08, 2011; 10:00-17:00, closed on Sundays and national holidays; admission: 200 Yen).

"Conversation with Mr. H" by Ayako Kurihara at DEMADO Contemporary Art Project (until June 01, 2011; access).

recommended:

Wooden reflections of Japan

Tomio Koyama Gallery, Kyoto, until March 19; 11:00 - 19:00; closed on Sunday, Monday and on national holidays.

OSAKA

Exhibition "Breaker Project" at Osaka City Museum of Modern Art Shinsaibashi Temporary Exhibition Space (until March 21; 11:00-19:00, closed on Wednesdays; admission: 500 Yen).

Exhibition " Air Hole: Another Form of Conceptualism from Asia" at the National Museum of Art Osaka (March 08 - June 5, 2011; 10:00 - 17:00, on Fridays until 19:00, closed on Mondays; admission: 420 Yen).

recommended:

To unwrap something, you need to wrap it first

Japanese Package Design Exhibition at the gallery space D～ba in E-ma (until March 21; 11:00-21:00; designer talk with Akio Okumura: March 12, 17:00- 18:00, admission: 1000 Yen, reception party from 18:30; gallery tour with me (OMG): March 20, 14:00-16:00, admission: 1000 Yen - includes an original tote bag).

See with your ears, hear with your eyes

Exhibition "phono/graph" at ddd gallery (until March 09; 11:00 - 19:00, on Saturdays until 18:00; closed on Sunday, Monday and on national holidays). Featured here.

Foreigner’s Live Art Guide

For more exhibitions and events about art and design in Osaka rely on FLAG.

What is this?

2011-03-03T11:11:00.001+09:00

Apologies for the slow activity currently, but expect to see a new agenda here on Sunday. Meanwhile, here is something to puzzle over: What is this in the picture above?

To find the solving, please come to the Japanese Package Design Exhibition―To unwrap something, you need to wrap it first― at D～ba in the E-ma building in Osaka until 21 March; 11:00-21:00.

Kyoto Promotion Poetry #8

2011-02-14T11:11:00.006+09:00

..........
About 3 years ago, I wrote this article about "Japanese Product Poetry".
In Kyoto, however, not only products but also restaurants, shops etc. make use of these poem-like sentences, trying to capture the unique, Kyoto-esque point of their service.
To figure out what's so special with Kyoto, they have their say here.

Agenda: February 07 - 20, 2011 / feat. "phono/graph"

2011-02-06T22:22:00.099+09:00

"Delete Kraftwerk" by Yukio Fujimoto, 2005

This fortnight's feature:
"phono/graph" at ddd gallery, Osaka
There is no point in putting the above vinyl record on a record player: Its groove has been filled up, no sound will emerge, Kraftwerk's "The Man Machine" is deleted. But in your mind, I'm sure, you now vividly recall some Kraftwerk tunes.

Likewise, "phono/graph—sound ・letters ・graphics－" is an exhibition where you literally can hear with your eyes and see with your ears.

"turn over" by Yukio Fujimoto, 2011

Here, the crumpled paper already suggests it, this is not a book for reading, it is an "audio book": Listen to the rustling sound of the turning pages.

"echo" by softpad, 2011

Script, letters and typography are merely a visual representation of words. However, we can "hear" the sound of these words when we read the text. Moreover, discovering the word "echo" through an magnifying glass in the cryptic pattern above, we will not only hear the spoken word "echo", but also recall its particular sound effect.

The exhibition explores this everyday, yet facinating synaesthetic way of perception from various artistic viewpoints.

Participating artists are: Yukio Fujimoto, Nicole Schmid, softpad, intext and Lyota Yagi. All are from the Kansai region (West Japan -- Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe), since "phono/graph" is an exhibition of ddd gallery's GRAPHIC WEST series, showcasing local artists and designers.

Read more (English and Japanese) about the exhibition concept and the artists on the
event's website.
And if you go there, don't miss the nice little catalog offered for free.
ddd gallery, until March 09; 11:00 - 19:00, on Saturdays until 18:00; closed on Sunday, Monday and on national holidays.

KYOTO

Kyoto Open Studio Katsura (February 11, 12, 13; Untoko Studio 11:00-20:30, Katsura Studio 11:00-19:00).

Kyoto Seika University DESIGN STUDENT EXHIBITION at Kara-S (February 07 - 20; 11:00-20:00, on February 07 from 13:00-20:00, closed on February 15).

Exhibition "(The potential of) MADE IN JAPAN" at the URBAN RESEARCH Kyoto branch in Teramachi street (February 08 - March 06; 11:00 - 21:00).

Exhibition "Various Speeds" at MATSUO MEGUMI+VOICE GALLERY pfs/w (until February 27; 12:00-19:00, on the last day until 17:00, closed on Mondays).

TRANS COMPLEX at Kyoto Art Center (until February 27; 10:00-20:00).

Exhibition "To celebrate the 60th anniversary of Raku Kichizaemon XV - Part II: From Tenmon to Today" at the Raku Museum (until March 13 2011; 10:00 - 16:30, closed on Mondays; admission: 900 Yen; there are special "Handling Sessions" on the first Saturday and Sunday of each month (2000 Yen, includes admission).

recommended:

Experimental mix of music, dance, and performance

Junkroom Special Event at UrBANGUILD (February 17; 19:00; tickets: 2000 Yen (incl. 1 drink), advance tickets: 1500 Yen). Previously featured here.

OSAKA

Nakaban Exhibition at Calo Gallery of Calo Bookshop and Cafe (until February 19; 12:00-20:00, on Saturdays until 18:00, on the last day until 17:00, closed on Sundays and Mondays).

Exhibition "Lucie Rie: A Retrospective" at the Museum of Oriental Ceramics Osaka (until February 13, 2011; 9:30 - 17:00, closed on Mondays (but open on January 10) and on January 11; admission: 900 Yen, discount ticket ).

recommended:

See with your ears, hear with your eyes

Exhibition "phono/graph" at ddd gallery (until March 09; 11:00 - 19:00, on Saturdays until 18:00; closed on Sunday, Monday and on national holidays).

Foreigner’s Live Art Guide

For more exhibitions and events about art and design in Osaka rely on FLAG.

Happy New Year Of the Rabbit

2011-02-03T00:00:00.019+09:00

This post is also filed under way of tea and Decoding Kyoto.
..........

Today, February 03, is the beginning of the New Year according to the lunar calendar, the one traditionally used in Asia.

Let me offer you some rice wine and let's drink a toast to a lucky new year. And yes, it will be a lucky one, since it is the year of the rabbit, and the rabbit is supposed to be a mayoke (魔よけ), a talisman against evil spirits. It is the rabbit's red eyes that wards them off .

So, it is not by chance that the Chinese character for the rabbit zodiac on the sake bowl above is written in red. (The character is different from the one for the animal, 兎.)

This and the following story I learned when I had the honour to attend Urasenke's hatsugama, the first tea ceremony of the year.

All the tea utensils were carefully selected to invite good fortune. Among them were several pieces that picked up on the rabbit theme. I particularly remember a mizusashi (water container) with a scene refering to a noh-theatre play called Chikubushima. While the protagonists cross lake Biwa to pray at the shrine on the Chikubushima island, the beauty of the scenery is praised, especially the reflection of the moon high above the lake: As if the rabbit of the moon is jumping over the waves.

It's not necessary to know that the Japanese see the silhouette of a rabbit in the texture of the moon -- this poetic image is simply enchanting.

So, when you come to Kyoto this year, look out for more images of the rabbit.

Agenda: January 24 - February 06, 2011 / feat. Masashi Hattori

2011-01-23T22:22:00.099+09:00

Have you seen the logos on the sidebar? There are two events in Osaka I'm involved in, and they are (among others) the reason why the Agenda will cover two weeks for a few months now. Looking forward to tell you more about those events soon.

This fortnight's feature:
Masashi Hattori's installation at Kyoto Art Center
As a part of the CRIA exhibition

Can you guess how this painting was done?

Let me give you a hint. The title is "Hand - Rainbowshoot - Foot".

And it is sports related.

Actually, I'm not so fond of this sport. When I watch it, to be honest, I'm more interested in the design of the jerseys, or the way the sponsors are reprensented in advertisments.

But some modification of the game, like the one Masashi Hattori suggests here, could redirect my attention to the ball...

You've guessed it. It was done by penalty shootout! Soccer.

Don't miss the 'making of'-video and watch how the goal scorer examines the result on the canvas after the shoot. You'll never be able to look at a "normal" goal like this...
Kyoto Art Center, until January 27; 10:00-20:00.

KYOTO

Exhibition "Various Speeds" at MATSUO MEGUMI+VOICE GALLERY pfs/w (February 05 - 27; 12:00-19:00, on the last day until 17:00, closed on Mondays; opening party: February 05, 17:00-19:00).

TRANS COMPLEX at Kyoto Art Center (February 05 - 27; 10:00-20:00).

Exhibition "To celebrate the 60th anniversary of Raku Kichizaemon XV - Part II: From Tenmon to Today" at the Raku Museum (until March 13 2011; 10:00 - 16:30, closed on Mondays; admission: 900 Yen; there are special "Handling Sessions" on the first Saturday and Sunday of each month (2000 Yen, includes admission).

Flea market "Tenjin-san" on the grounds of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (every month on the 25th).

Antiques flea market on the grounds of Toji Temple (February 06, 7:00 - 16:00, on the first Sunday every month).

recommended:

Sports meets Arts

Installation by Masashi Hattori at Kyoto Art Center, as a part of the CRIA exhibition (until January 27; 10:00-20:00).

OSAKA

Kurome-Garo at Baikado (until February 06; 13:00-19:00, closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays).

Nakaban Exhibition at Calo Gallery of Calo Bookshop and Cafe (January 29 - February 19; 12:00-20:00, on Saturdays until 18:00, on the last day until 17:00, closed on Sundays and Mondays).

Exhibition "phono/graph" at ddd gallery (until March 09; 11:00 - 19:00, on Saturdays until 18:00; closed on Sunday, Monday and on national holidays).

Exhibition "Lucie Rie: A Retrospective" at the Museum of Oriental Ceramics Osaka (until February 13, 2011; 9:30 - 17:00, closed on Mondays (but open on January 10) and on January 11; admission: 900 Yen, discount ticket ).

recommended:

Foreigner’s Live Art Guide

For more exhibitions and events about art and design in Osaka rely on FLAG.

Kyoto Promotion Poetry #7

2011-01-14T11:11:00.007+09:00

I'm not sure if you agree with this. Is a foreign text on a book "Product Poetry"? But since the book is entirely in Japanese, tough admittedly with many beautiful photos, I think it is legitimate.
Moreover, I really like the message it conveys about "What is so special with Kyoto?" -- and to find that out is the purpose of this series.

..........
About 3 years ago, I wrote this article about "Japanese Product Poetry".
In Kyoto, however, not only products but also restaurants, shops etc. make use of these poem-like sentences, trying to capture the unique, Kyoto-esque point of their service.
To figure out what's so special with Kyoto, they have their say here.

Agenda: January 10 - 23 / feat. assistant

2011-01-09T22:22:00.085+09:00

Happy 2011, dear readers!
Please note that the Agenda will cover two weeks for a few months now.

This fortnight's feature:
Assistant retrospective at rep - radlab. exhibition project, Kyoto
Climbing up the steep stairs to the radlab exhibition space is worth the effort. It is not a usual architecture and design retrospective that awaits you up there.
Rather than displaying sketches, pictures, models etc. of projects and works, the walls of the room are covered with filing cards. On these cards are random thoughts and associations, some in English, most in Japanese. The scene is puzzling.

Consider yourself in the archive of assistant, a 2002 founded architecture and design unit with the core members Megumi Matsubara and Hiroi Ariyama. As soon as you choose one card -- the one I picked read:

why monochromic
1.democratic for the viewer
2.to make one unit of individual pieces that has individual message
3.decorate than imitation --

you will discover a sticker on the back, similar to the kinds familiar from libraries.

It matches some material stored in the room next door, but now brought to you -- in my case it was a concept for an installation project from 2006.
You can browse and read through this material, explore other documents, even borrow the card (not the material itself), ponder about it for one week and give it back with some notes of yours.

With this procedure assistant intensify the experience of their work. The (con)text written on the cards makes you curious and sets your focus, the way you look at the material. You might see less, but what you see remains more memorable.
It reminds us to make wise use of the personal and physical interaction possible at exhibitions. Otherwise clicking through an online portfolio might also do. (Theirs is, nevertheless, worth a look.)
rep - radlab. exhibition project, until January 16; from Thursday to Sunday, 13:00-20:00.

KYOTO

"GUTIC STUDY" exhibition by Toshiaki Yamaoka at Gallery Parc (January 11 - 23; 11:00-19:00, on the last day until 17:00, closed on Mondays).

Graduation show of the Kyoto Seian University of Art and Design at the Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art (January 19 - 23, 9:00 - 17:00, on the last day until 16:00). Fashion show of the fashion class on January 22 (15:00 as well as 19:00) and on January 23 (13:00 as well as 17:00) at the Art Complex 1928 hall on the 3rd floor.

Exhibition "To celebrate the 60th anniversary of Raku Kichizaemon XV - Part II: From Tenmon to Today" at the Raku Museum (until March 13 2011; 10:00 - 16:30, closed on Mondays; admission: 900 Yen; there are special "Handling Sessions" on the first Saturday and Sunday of each month (2000 Yen, includes admission).

Voices for Umekoji at UrBANGUILD (January 21; 18:30, tickets: 2000 Yen (incl. 1 drink), students/advance tickets: 1500 Yen).

recommended:

Assistant allows access to their archives

Assistant retrospective at rep - radlab. exhibition project (until January 16; from Thursday to Sunday, 13:00-20:00).

OSAKA

Exhibition "phono/graph" at ddd gallery (January 18 - March 09; 11:00 - 19:00, on Saturdays until 18:00; closed on Sunday, Monday and on national holidays).

Exhibition "Lucie Rie: A Retrospective" at the Museum of Oriental Ceramics Osaka (until February 13, 2011; 9:30 - 17:00, closed on Mondays (but open on January 10) and on January 11; admission: 900 Yen, discount ticket ).

recommended:

Foreigner’s Live Art Guide

For more exhibitions and events about art and design in Osaka rely on FLAG.

Decoding Kyoto: Patterns #1 - asa-no-ha

2010-12-21T11:11:00.012+09:00

This is part of the Decoding Kyoto series.
..........

Tiles, souvenir shop at Kyoto station.

Tiles, souvenir shop at Kyoto station.

The presence of traditional Japanese patterns throughout Kyoto -- from textiles and paper to ceramics and other objects to interior design and architectural details -- aroused my curiosity, and in the komon monyou card set by MONKARUTA I found a lovely resource to learn more about them -- and to practice reading Japanese as well.
In addition to the two sets with matching pictures, to play Pairs (Memory) and various other games, there is a third set of cards with a brief explanation of the pattern's usage and meaning.

Komon monyou cards picturing the asa-no-ha pattern.

Komon monyou explanation card.

The popular asa-no-ha-pattern is the first I chose to dwell on. Its explanation on the card above translates as follows:

The name derives from the resemblance of hemp leaves. Since hemp is sturdy and grows upright, it was also used for baby clothes, wishing for the child's growth.

Although in former times the pattern was used for kirikane ornaments (gold or silver foil cut into thin strips) applied to Buddha statues (Heian period, 794-1185) and for embroidered Buddhist images (Kamakura period, 1185–1333, and Muromachi period, 1336-1573), I haven't consciously noticed it at temples yet.

Later, in the Edo period (1603-1868), the pattern became extremely fashionable after it appeared on kabuki costumes for young female roles.

Nowadays in Kyoto, you'll find the asa-no-ha-pattern not only on a huge variety of fabrics but also applied to the interior design of shops and restaurants.
The pattern's geometric modularity invites to play with repetition and variation, positive and negative space, different colors and outline shape.

Silk, woven pattern.

Shop interior, Onitsuka Tiger, Times Building (crossing of Sanjo Street and Kiyamachi Street).

Restaurant sign, down town around Shijo Street.

Lamp shade, restaurant floor, Yodobashi Camera.

Tiles, souvenir shop, Kyoto station.

Tiles, souvenir shop, Kyoto station.

Shop window, Daimaru department store.

And it also appears in Hideki Katsumura’s KYOTO ISSUE, featured here. Can you find it?

..........
Designs, patterns, objects, details -- Kyoto is full of things with hidden meanings. In this loose series of posts I'm trying to "decode" them.

Agenda: December 20, 2010 - January 09, 2011 / feat. "Sampling Your Memory"

2010-12-19T22:22:00.141+09:00

Please note: The Agenda goes on holiday. See you again in 2011.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Photo courtesy of the artist.

This week's feature:
"Sampling Your Memory" by Yukihiro Yamagami at Gallery Parc, Kyoto
"Sleep Walking", the main piece of the show, is a work you must experience. A photo can't convey its subtle effect of oscillating between two media.
You might want to rub your eyes: A painting that slightly changes? The sky seems to glow, then night falls on Ginza, the vibrant district of Tokyo pictured here.
Then you watch the video projection. People and cars are passing by, in slow motion. But they are faint, allowing the panel painting to show through.
Likewise, the vague, tranquil atmosphere makes you wonder whether you are dreaming or awake.

Also, don't miss the video installation "Dancing Neon" projected on the window of the gallery. Best viewed from the outside, before or after you visit the exhibition.
Gallery Parc, until December 26; 11:00-19:00, closed on Mondays.
Yukihiro Yamagami's homepage.

Important: The opening hours of the exhibitions listed in the following may vary during the Japanese New Year's holiday. Please double check their websites before going.

KYOTO

Rocca Night at kara-S (December 21; 19:00-22:00).

"Pillow Talk #1" (screening of performance movies) at Gura (December 23; 19:00-22:00; admission 800 Yen with hors d'oeuvre; reservation required by December 22).

Exhibition "To celebrate the 60th anniversary of Raku Kichizaemon XV - Part II: From Tenmon to Today" at the Raku Museum (January 07 – March 13 2011; 10:00 - 16:30, closed on Mondays; admission: 900 Yen; there are special "Handling Sessions" on the first Saturday and Sunday of each month (2000 Yen, includes admission).

Candle light exhibition "Underwater Trip" by Kaoru Kan at Gallery Antenna (until 15 - 26; 17:00-20:00).

Assistant retrospective at rep - radlab. exhibition project (until January 16; from Thursday to Sunday, 13:00-20:00; closed between December 26 - January 5).

Super Window Project is CLOSED (until January 09, 2011).

Exhibition "Withered Beauty in Tea Kettles" at Onishi Seiwemon Museum (until December 23; 10:00-16:30, closed on Mondays; admission: 800 Yen).

Flea market "Tenjin-san" on the grounds of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (every month on the 25th).

Antiques flea market on the grounds of Toji Temple (January 02, 7:00 - 16:00, on the first Sunday every month).

recommended:

Painting and video installation melded into one

Exhibition "Sampling Your Memory" by Yukihiro Yamagami at Gallery Parc (until December 26; 11:00-19:00, closed on Mondays).

Design shopping

"Kami no katachi" at the URBAN RESEARCH Kyoto branch in Teramachi street (until December 26; 11:00 - 21:00). Featured here.

OSAKA

Exhibition "Lucie Rie: A Retrospective" at the Museum of Oriental Ceramics Osaka (until February 13, 2011; 9:30 - 19:00 (until December 25, after that 9:30 - 17:00), closed on Mondays (but open on December 13, 20 and January 10), during New Year’s holidays (December 28 – Tuesday, January 4) and on January 11; admission: 900 Yen, discount ticket ).

Exhibition "IN / OUT" by Ryoko Takahashi at studio J (until December 25; 13:00 - 19:00, closed on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays).

recommended:

Posters of another great master of graphic design

Exhibition "Ikko Tanaka Posters 1953 - 1979" at ddd gallery (until December 22; 11:00 - 19:00, on Saturdays until 18:00; closed on Sunday, Monday and on national holidays).

Rattling on the track of eternity

Tatsuo Miyajima "Time Train" at the COMME des GARÇONS art space SIX (until December 29; 12:00 - 19:00, closed on Mondays). Featured here.

Foreigner’s Live Art Guide

For more exhibitions and events about art and design in Osaka rely on FLAG.

Agenda: December 13 - 19 / feat. "Kyoto Dinner Experiments"

2010-12-12T22:22:00.179+09:00

This week's feature:
"Kyoto Dinner Experiments" at Kyoto Art Center
Have you ever been to Kyoto's Nishiki Market and wondered about all the different foods sold there? What is that? Or how to prepare this?
Bettina Hvidevold Hystad from Norway and Simon Torssell Lerin from Sweden must have felt the same at the beginning of their 3-month Artist in Residence in Kyoto.
Luckily, they are two young artists whose work is centered around involving people and place. And so they decided to invite locals (I also participated) to cook together and to share recipes.
Since fish is common in both Scandinavia and Japan, they made for each dinner a typical fish dish from their home countries and asked their Japanese guests to show them how to prepare fish the Japanese way.
This turned out to be a fruitful way to learn about Japanese culture and life. While doing something they were familiar with, even nervous participants relaxed, and cooking proved as communication without words.

Hybrid dishes: "Dill-shoyu salmon teriyaki" (left) and "Smoked herring, cucumber and wakame" (right)

But not enough, Bettina and Simon challenged their guests to create a hybrid dish based on the experience of the dinner, to be served at the opening party of the project exhibition. An assignment that intensified the exchange and the attention to the other culture.
Thus, the cultural exchange itself became an artwork, reminding the idea of "social sculpture". The individuum can shape the world it lives in by the way it acts.

"Through the dinners we wanted to create new meetings and collaborations that otherwise wouldn’t occur."

Kyoto Art Center, until December 19; 10:00-20:00.
Bettina and Simon share their experience, complete with pictures and recipes, on their KAC A.I.R. blog.
If you are interested in the Artist in Residence program of Kyoto Art Center, the application form for 2012 will be available from April 2011.

KYOTO

Candle light exhibition "Underwater Trip" by Kaoru Kan at Gallery Antenna (December 15 - 26; 17:00-20:00).

Assistant retrospective at rep - radlab. exhibition project (until January 16; from Thursday to Sunday, 13:00-20:00; closed between December 26 - January 5).

Ceramic Exhibition "quietude" by Yoshimi Azuma at the design gallery Division (until December 18; 12:00-19:00, closed on Sundays).

"Sculptor's atelier" at the former Rissei elementary school (work in progress open to the public: until December 6, exhibition: December 7 - 13; 12:00-17:00).

Super Window Project is CLOSED (until January 09, 2011).

Exhibition "Withered Beauty in Tea Kettles" at Onishi Seiwemon Museum (until December 23; 10:00-16:30, closed on Mondays; admission: 800 Yen).

recommended:

Painting and video installation melded into one

Exhibition "Sampling Your Memory" by Yukihiro Yamagami at Gallery Parc (until December 26; 11:00-19:00, closed on Mondays).

Cultural encounters as art

Exhibition "Kyoto Dinner Experiments - A Scandinavian Observation" at Kyoto Art Center (until December 19; 10:00-20:00).

Design shopping

"Kami no katachi" at the URBAN RESEARCH Kyoto branch in Teramachi street (until December 26; 11:00 - 21:00).

Exhibition "Ikko Tanaka Posters 1953 - 1979" at ddd gallery (until December 22; 11:00 - 19:00, on Saturdays until 18:00; closed on Sunday, Monday and on national holidays).

Rattling on the track of eternity

Tatsuo Miyajima "Time Train" at the COMME des GARÇONS art space SIX (until December 29; 12:00 - 19:00, closed on Mondays). Featured here.

Foreigner’s Live Art Guide

For more exhibitions and events about art and design in Osaka rely on FLAG.

Agenda: December 06 - 12 / feat. "kami no katachi"

2010-12-05T22:22:00.095+09:00

This week's feature:
"kami no katachi" at Urban Research, Kyoto
The gallery shop in the basement of Urban Research's Kyoto branch is always a recommended spot to get your hands on great Japanese design.

Their current main selection celebrates paper and the various forms it can take:
- from a medium for beautiful prints -- like the karakami (wood block printed paper, using mica) by Kamisoe (pictured above)
- to objects that evolve into three-dimensionality -- like the filigree "air vase" by Torafu Architects (below a picture from a previous exhibition)
- to a soft yet durable material for bags and baskets -- like the SIWA product line by paper maker Onao in collaboration with Naoto Fukasawa.

The shop window display features paper as well. An installtion playing with gradation and resolution.
URBAN RESEARCH Kyoto branch in Teramachi street, until December 26; 11:00 - 21:00.
Some goods of the previous selections (Kyo-to-to and novelax store) are also still available.

KYOTO

Exhibition "Kyoto Dinner Experiments - A Scandinavian Observation" at Kyoto Art Center (December 12 - 19; 10:00-20:00; opening: December 11, from 18:00 on).

Assistant retrospective at rep - radlab. exhibition project (until January 16; from Thursday to Sunday, 13:00-20:00; closed between December 26 - January 5; opening and mini lecture: December 10, from 18:00 on).

Ceramic Exhibition "quietude" by Yoshimi Azuma at the design gallery Division (December 6 - 18; 12:00-19:00, closed on Sundays).

"Sculptor's atelier" at the former Rissei elementary school (work in progress open to the public: until December 6, exhibition: December 7 - 13; 12:00-17:00).

Super Window Project is CLOSED (until January 09, 2011).

Exhibition "Withered Beauty in Tea Kettles" at Onishi Seiwemon Museum (until December 23; 10:00-16:30, closed on Mondays; admission: 800 Yen).

recommended:

Design shopping

"Kami no katachi" at the URBAN RESEARCH Kyoto branch in Teramachi street (until December 26; 11:00 - 21:00).

Frank insights into an artist's creative struggles

Exhibition "To celebrate the 60th anniversary of Raku Kichizaemon XV - Part I: From the Succession to 'Tenmon' at the Raku Museum (until December 12; 10:00 - 16:30, closed on Mondays; admission: 900 Yen).

OSAKA

Exhibition "IN / OUT" by Ryoko Takahashi at studio J (until December 25; 13:00 - 19:00, closed on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays).

Exhibition "Ikko Tanaka Posters 1953 - 1979" at ddd gallery (November 09 -December 22; 11:00 - 19:00, on Saturdays until 18:00; closed on Sunday, Monday and on national holidays).

recommended:

Digital, experimental, short

DOTMOV Festival 2010 at digmeout ART&DINER (until December 12). Featured here.

Rattling on the track of eternity

Tatsuo Miyajima "Time Train" at the COMME des GARÇONS art space SIX (until December 29; 12:00 - 19:00, closed on Mondays). Featured here.

Foreigner’s Live Art Guide

For more exhibitions and events about art and design in Osaka rely on FLAG.

Agenda: November 29 - December 05 / feat. DOTMOV 2010

2010-11-28T22:22:00.118+09:00

This week's feature:
"DOTMOV Festival 2010 in Kyoto and Osaka
Every year -- since 2003 --, the Sapporo based online magazine Shift compiles a selection of experimental digital short films and presents them to a broader audience. The 11 works showcased at this year's DOTMOV Festival were selected among 237 entries from 26 countries.
Moving image artist Max Hattler made it with two of his works. Both, 1925 aka Hell (sequence above) and 1923 aka Heaven (sequence below) consist of moving shapes and patterns that constantly produce new associative figurations, like an animated Rorschach test.
While 'hell' appears cold and mechanical, 'heaven' reminds me of the solemn atmosphere of a buddhist temple.
Read more about Hattler's work in this insightful interview on Shift.

Also worth mentioning is "Runner's Poem" by Floating In Space, visualizing the beauty of exercising.

Kyoto: Dojidai Eizo Studio 1928, until December 05; 12:00 - 19:00, closed on Mondays.
Osaka: digmeout ART&DINER, until December 12.
Check the list for other screenings in Japan and abroad -- from São Paulo to Stockholm -- or watch all the selected works online (in lower resolution).

KYOTO

Exhibition "kami no katachi" at the URBAN RESEARCH Kyoto branch in Teramachi street (November 29 - December 26; 11:00 - 21:00).

"Sculptor's atelier" at the former Rissei elementary school (work in progress open to the public: December 1 - 6, exhibition: December 7 - 13; 12:00-17:00).

Kyoto International Student Film and Video Festival at Kyoto Cinema (until December 04; 500 Yen per ticket or 1000 Yen for a free pass).

Super Window Project is CLOSED (until January 09, 2011).

Exhibition "Withered Beauty in Tea Kettles" at Onishi Seiwemon Museum (until December 23; 10:00-16:30, closed on Mondays; admission: 800 Yen).

Antiques flea market on the grounds of Toji Temple (December 05, 7:00 - 16:00, on the first Sunday every month).

recommended:

Digital, experimental, short

DOTMOV Festival 2010 at Dojidai Eizo Studio 1928 (until December 05; 12:00 - 19:00, closed on Mondays).

Frank insights into an artist's creative struggles

OSAKA

FLAG 1,5 year anniversary party "CHAOS wo OKAZU" at OOO (December 04; from 15:00 on ... until around 21:00; admission: 1500 Yen (incl. OOO home-cooked food and 1 drink) All profits support FLAG!!!).

Exhibition "IN / OUT" by Ryoko Takahashi at studio J (until December 25; 13:00 - 19:00, closed on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays).

Exhibition "Ikko Tanaka Posters 1953 - 1979" at ddd gallery (November 09 -December 22; 11:00 - 19:00, on Saturdays until 18:00; closed on Sunday, Monday and on national holidays).

recommended:

Digital, experimental, short

DOTMOV Festival 2010 at digmeout ART&DINER (until December 12).

Rattling on the track of eternity

Tatsuo Miyajima "Time Train" at the COMME des GARÇONS art space SIX (until December 29; 12:00 - 19:00, closed on Mondays). Featured here.

Read between the 'dots'

Exhibition "Most things happen in the interval" by Naho Kawabe at Port Gallery T (until December 4; 12:00 - 19:00, on Saturdays until 18:00, closed on Sundays). Featured here.

Foreigner’s Live Art Guide

For more exhibitions and events about art and design in Osaka rely on FLAG.

Agenda: November 22 - 28 / feat. "Time Train"

2010-11-21T22:22:00.095+09:00

This week's feature:
"Time Train" by Tatsuo Miyajima at the COMME des GARÇONS art space SIX, Osaka
The train of time runs on a track shaped like a lying eight -- with some deviations, but still recognizable -- the symbol of eternity. And it carries small LED counters, significant for Tatsuo Miyajima's work. Here, they emit blue light.
For his installation "Sea of Time '98", a part of the "Art House Project" on Naoshima, he requested the residents of a village to set the counting speed of the counters used there. Each counts down from 9 to 1, then starting again with 9. Some of them are faster, some slower. Thus, the counter represents the individual pace and life cycle of a person.
The fact, that these 'human life cycles' are loaded on a model railway which consists only of goods waggons, strongly evokes the impression of deportation trains to Auschwitz. Never-ending deportation to concentrations camps - what a nightmare. Desperately I tried to find another perspective on the work. Then I realized that this train never arrives, it is perpetually on its way, passing trees, passing a tunnel, passing trees, passing a tunnel -- but it never reaches a final destinstion. There simply is none.
On this eternal track, depending on the pace, a life cycle may happen only in a dark tunnel, ceasing just before the end of the tunnel, but another cycle may be exposed to a landscape with trees.
Miyajima's works are inspired by three concepts: 'Keep Changing', 'Connect with All' and 'Goes on forever'. From a limited view, life is bound to death, but here we are given a more universal outlook.
And while watching the train going around and around the largely unadorned track, we might understand why Buddhism seeks to escape from the endless cycle of rebirth.

"Time Train" will absorb you in existential thoughts. It is intense -- be prepared.
COMME des GARÇONS art space SIX (Minamisenba 3-12-22 Fuji Building 2F; Shinsaibashi, Osaka), until December 29; 12:00 - 19:00, closed on Mondays.

KYOTO

DOTMOV Festival 2010 at Cafe Independants (November 22 - 28; 18:00 - 24:00) and at Dojidai Eizo Studio 1928 (November 23 - December 05; 12:00 - 19:00, closed on Mondays).

Kyoto International Student Film and Video Festival at Kyoto Cinema (November 27 - December 04; 500 Yen per ticket or 1000 Yen for a free pass).

Super Window Project is CLOSED (until January 09, 2011).

Exhibition "Unanswered Love of Pottery" by Shun Yamauchi at art project room ARTZONE (until November 28; on workdays 13:00 - 20:00, on Sundays and holidays 12:30 - 20:00, on the last day until 17:00).

Kyoto Student Arts Exhibition 2010: ArtsBar@Rissei at the former Rissei elementary school (until November 28; 12:00-19:00).

Exhibition "Withered Beauty in Tea Kettles" at Onishi Seiwemon Museum (until December 23; 10:00-16:30, closed on Mondays; admission: 800 Yen).

Kyoto Experiment - Kyoto International Performing Arts Festival (until November 23).

Flea market "Tenjin-san" on the grounds of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (every month on the 25th).

recommended:

Risking the body

Exhibition "New Incubation Series 02, Stelarc x contact Gonzo - BODY OVERDIRVE" at Kyoto Art Center (until November 28, 10:00 - 20:00; performances by contact Gonzo on November 21 (17:00), and by Stelarc on November 18 (19:30, web broadcast from London)). Featured here.

Frank insights into an artist's creative struggles

UJI

Manpukuji Art Festival (November 27 - 28; 12:00 – 18:00; admission: 800 Yen (one-day ticket) or 1500 Yen (two-day ticket); Night Before Party: November 26, from 18:00 on, admission: 1700 Yen).

KOBE

Rokko Meets Art festival (September 18 - November 23; 10:00 – 17:00; admission: 1800 Yen).

OSAKA

DOTMOV Festival 2010 at digmeout ART&DINER (November 25 - December 12)

Exhibition "Ikko Tanaka Posters 1953 - 1979" at ddd gallery (November 09 -December 22; 11:00 - 19:00, on Saturdays until 18:00; closed on Sunday, Monday and on national holidays).

recommended:

Creative gatherings organized by OOO

"Shovel vol.7" at hitoto (from 19:00 on Saturday, November 27; admission: 600 Yen including one tea by tea coordinater Yuriko; reservation required). More here.

Rattling on the track of eternity

Tatsuo Miyajima "Time Train" at the COMME des GARÇONS art space SIX (until December 29; 12:00 - 19:00, closed on Mondays).

Read between the 'dots'

Exhibition "Most things happen in the interval" by Naho Kawabe at Port Gallery T (until December 4; 12:00 - 19:00, on Saturdays until 18:00, closed on Sundays). Featured here.

Foreigner’s Live Art Guide

For more exhibitions and events about art and design in Osaka rely on FLAG.

Agenda: November 15 - 21 / feat. "Kyoto Original Products"

2010-11-14T22:22:00.076+09:00

This week's feature:
"Kyoto Original Product Shop Exhibition 2010" at Fujii Daimaru department store, Kyoto
This glimpse of Kyoto based design activities includes:

- The items of Bolts Hardware Store, industrial but with a warm touch. From bended hooks (in the picture on the top of this post) to the stands for a work bench (on the right in the picture above), Masaya Asahi comes up with refreshing ideas for metal hardware. The tool box is the coolest ever and the LED pendant light is a "gotta-have".

- The solidly built pieces of Knot Furniture. Their flagship product is this simple yet elegant Shaker-like side table on the right in the picture above.

- And the "furniture and lifestyle tools" of Songbird Design by Masaki Tokuda. Characteristic is the bird house theme, in the picture above it is applied to an incense stand.

If you miss the exhibition, don't worry, they all have shops, cafes and showrooms in the city. Here are the maps:

Knot Funiture showroom
Songbird Design Store and Cafe
Bolts Hardware Store.

Fujii Daimaru department store, 6F, until November 17; 10:30 - 20:00.

KYOTO

Super Window Project is CLOSED (November 19, 2010 - January 09, 2011).

Exhibition "Unanswered Love of Pottery" by Shun Yamauchi at art project room ARTZONE (until November 28; on workdays 13:00 - 20:00, on Sundays and holidays 12:30 - 20:00, on the last day until 17:00).

Kyoto Student Arts Exhibition 2010: ArtsBar@Rissei at the former Rissei elementary school (November 19 - 28; 12:00-19:00).

Exhibition "Withered Beauty in Tea Kettles" at Onishi Seiwemon Museum (until December 23; 10:00-16:30, closed on Mondays; admission: 800 Yen).

Kyoto Experiment - Kyoto International Performing Arts Festival (until November 23).

recommended:

New designs for Kinugawa's "Drop Paper"

Exhibition "NEXT+α　DESIGN×MATERIAL" at kara-S (until November 15; 11:00 - 20:00).

Bolts Hardware, Knot Furniture and Songbird Design

Kyoto Original Product Shop Exhibition 2010 at the 6th floor of Fujii Daimaru department store (until November 17; 10:30 - 20:00).

Risking the body

Frank insights into an artist's creative struggles

KOBE

Rokko Meets Art festival (September 18 - November 23; 10:00 – 17:00; admission: 1800 Yen).

OSAKA

Exhibition "Ikko Tanaka Posters 1953 - 1979" at ddd gallery (November 09 -December 22; 11:00 - 19:00, on Saturdays until 18:00; closed on Sunday, Monday and on national holidays).

recommended:

Rattling on the track of eternity

Tatsuo Miyajima "Time Train" at the COMME des GARÇONS art space SIX (until December 29; 12:00 - 19:00, closed on Mondays).

Read between the 'dots'

Exhibition "Most things happen in the interval" by Naho Kawabe at Port Gallery T (until December 4; 12:00 - 19:00, on Saturdays until 18:00, closed on Sundays). Featured here.

Foreigner’s Live Art Guide

For more exhibitions and events about art and design in Osaka rely on FLAG.

Kyoto Promotion Poetry #6

2010-11-14T11:11:00.004+09:00

Agenda: November 08 - 14 / feat. Naho Kawabe

2010-11-07T22:22:00.082+09:00

Photo by Keiichi Amano, courtesy of the artist.

This week's feature:
"Most things happen in the interval" by Naho Kawabe at Port Gallery T, Osaka
Usually, a video depicts reality from a certain angle, recorded prior to its showing. Naho Kawabe’s video installation, however, includes physically present objects and allows us to experience her work in real time, in real space.
It is a cheery scene: Colorful little balls and glass beads hang from the ceiling, they seem to jump out of joy. From time to time the light of a projection touches the arrangement. It rotates like the beam of a beacon, or recalls the rhythm of day and night. When hit by the light, those disco ball-like beads sprinkle the walls with glittering reflections.
But the whole is more than the sum of its parts. And so it is the interaction between the two elements of the installation that provides a striking effect, disturbing the idyll. There is a shady side, literally spelled out by the arrangement’s shadow.
The beautiful work reminds us of the importance of being attentive to phenomena beyond the mere appearance.
Port Gallery T, until December 4; 12:00 - 19:00, on Sat. 12:00-18:00, closed on Sundays.

Naho Kawabe is one the winners of the 5th shiseido art egg and will exhibit at the Shiseido Gallery, Tokyo in March 2011.

Photo by Keiichi Amano, courtesy of the artist.

KYOTO

Exhibition "NEXT+α　DESIGN×MATERIAL" at kara-S (until November 15; 11:00 - 20:00).

Kyoto Original Product Shop Exhibition 2010 at the 6th floor of Fujii Daimaru department store (November 09 - 17; 10:30 - 20:00).

Exhibition "Withered Beauty in Tea Kettles" at Onishi Seiwemon Museum (until December 23; 10:00-16:30, closed on Mondays; admission: 800 Yen).

Kyoto Experiment - Kyoto International Performing Arts Festival (until November 23).

Zazen at Kenninji temple (November 14, every month on the second Sunday, 8:00 am)

recommended:

Risking the body

Frank insights into an artist's creative struggles

Tatsuo Miyajima "Time Train" at the COMME des GARÇONS art space SIX (until December 29; 12:00 - 19:00, closed on Mondays).

Read between the 'dots'

Exhibition "Most things happen in the interval" by Naho Kawabe at Port Gallery T (until December 4; 12:00 - 19:00, on Saturdays until 18:00, closed on Sundays).

Entrusting the final design to the unpredictable

fujii+fushikino exhibition and sale at millibar gallery (until November 08; 11:30 - 20:00). A previous exhibition was featured here.

Foreigner’s Live Art Guide

For more exhibitions and events about art and design in Osaka rely on FLAG.

Agenda: November 01 - 07 / feat. Stelarc x contact Gonzo

2010-10-31T22:22:00.071+09:00

This week's feature:
"New Incubation Series 02, Stelarc x contact Gonzo - BODY OVERDIRVE" at Kyoto Art Center, Kyoto
Last week I wrote about 'breathing art' that we can physically feel... so how will your body respond to the performances of Stelarc and contact Gonzo, currently exhibited at Kyoto Art Center?
Well, as for my part, I felt my heart beating faster while watching contact Gonzo's performance (pictured above), a mixture of street fight, dance, contact improvisation and martial arts. And when they suddenly climbed up the balustrade just in front of me, quite an amount of adrenaline was released into my blood...

The 'Incubation Series' at Kyoto Art Center bring together veteran and upcoming artists in order to provoke encounters that provide fresh viewpoints - be it on art, society or lifestyle.
Videos and a sound installation by contact Gonzo -- the upcoming artists, formed 2006 by Yuya Tsukahara and Masaru Kakio -- is juxtaposed with pictures of performances by Stelarc who is widely known for projects like "Ear on Arm", "Third Hand" (which is actually exhibited) or the suspensions of his body with hooks inserted into the skin.
Exposed to the extreme challenges these artists present to their bodies, we start reflecting about our own body.
Stelarc's robotically and prosthetic extended avatar-like body, remote controlled and internet manipulated, seems like a foretelling of our digital lifestyle today, addicted to gadgets and social media, neglecting the (obsolete?) body, far away from the intense experience of contact Gonzo's colliding bodies, agressive, yet elegant, in tune with nature after spending the night before the performance on the peak of Mount Hiei.

Since Stelarc and contact Gonzo are performance artists, don't miss their performances:

- Stelarc on November 18 (19:30, web broadcast from London)
- contact Gonzo on November 21 (17:00)

Kyoto Art Center, until November 28; 10:00 - 20:00.
You can find an interview with contact Gonzo on SHIFT.

KYOTO

Exhibition "Withered Beauty in Tea Kettles" at Onishi Seiwemon Museum (until December 23; 10:00-16:30, closed on Mondays; admission: 800 Yen).

Kyoto Experiment - Kyoto International Performing Arts Festival (until November 23).

Antiques flea market on the grounds of Toji Temple (November 07, 7:00 - 16:00, on the first Sunday every month).

recommended:

Risking the body

Showcasing the shortlisted artists

"ULTRA AWARD 2010 Exhibition" at art project room ARTZONE (until November 7; on workdays 13:00 - 20:00, on Sundays and holidays 12:30 - 20:00, on the last day until 17:00). Featured here.

Frank insights into an artist's creative struggles

OMIHACHIMAN

Biwako Biennale 2010 (until November 07; 10:00 - 17:00, closed on Tuesdays; admission: 1000 Yen).

KOBE

Rokko Meets Art festival (September 18 - November 23; 10:00 – 17:00; admission: 1800 Yen).
※ FLAG offers a special tour to see 'Rokko Meets Art': November 6; 9:30 - 16:00; 2000 Yen (includes the ticket); contact: info@f-l-a-g.net ※

OSAKA

Tatsuo Miyajima "Time Train" at the COMME des GARÇONS art space SIX (November 03 - December 29; 12:00 - 19:00, closed on Mondays).

fujii+fushikino exhibition and sale at millibar gallery (November 06 - 08; 11:30 - 20:00).

recommended:

Foreigner’s Live Art Guide

For more exhibitions and events about art and design in Osaka rely on FLAG.