Wisconsin-Saitama Art Exchange 2002
October 1-8, 2002, JapanWisconsin-Saitama Art Exchange 2002
October 1-8, 2002, Japan
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DAY 3: 10/3 Continued
After visiting Tomioka Museum, we took a train and rushed to a reception at the Inoue Gallery in Ginza, Tokyo. Ginza district is Japanese Fifth Avenue where lots of expensive department stores are located. At the reception I met my friends and relatives who came to see me and my very first exhibition in Japan. This gallery focused on the 2 dimensional pieces so it was a smallest exhibition among three. However the location of the gallery made is quite special. Due to the transportation trouble of an official translator, I had an honor to translate the greetings from the gallery owner, organizers, and Wisconsin committees to people who came to this reception. There were very nice looking party food prepared for this reception, too. However, I had no time to eat or drink since I wanted to talk to people who came to see me : ) (Photograph by Inoue Gallery.)
My recent most popular piece "Story of Veranda -Nusumigiki" was hang near the entrance of this exhibition. My childhood friends came to see me at Inoue Gallery reception. During the exhibition, there were many friends stopped by and see the exhibition at this gallery. I would like to thank them very much for their time and thoughts on me and my art career! Right after the reception, we took Japanese hosting artists' cars and run back to the Saitama Museum for the demonstration.
At the Saitama Modern Art Museum, we held 9 Wisconsin Artists' technical demonstration. There were more than 200 visitors on this day. The exhibition space was packed and we had a very busy and exciting demonstrations. I helped translating work for Wisconsin sculptor Lee Holt (on a photo) and Metje Butler. Here, I am explaining the technique and idea Lee was sharing to the Japanese artists and visitors. (Photograph by Ms. Kitayama)
I also did demonstration of my metal leafing technique. I showed how to lay metal leaf using modern materials as well as brought various samples of leafing techniques that I did in the past. I also demonstrated the vinegar acid reaction using copper leaf. I was not sure if my non-traditional approach would be interest to the Japanese audiences who must have been familiar with traditional Japanese gilding techniques. But I was surprised to see all those people gathered around my demonstration table from beginning to the end! (Photograph by Ms. Kitayama)
DAY 4: 10/4 Visiting Old Japanese Farm House
One of the Japanese participants invited us to spend a night at the100 years old Japanese traditional farmhouse, which was transferred from Niigata prefecture a several years ago to Izu peninsula. There were no nails used to construct this architecture. The Japanese exchange organizer, Mrs. Yanagi chartered a mini microbus for us and we had a nice sightseeing on the way from Tokyo to Izu. Once we got to the farmhouse, some of us went to Spa while others relaxed on the Tatami mat floor.
The supper at the old farmhouse was amazing. There were vegetarian people among us so all the dish were prepared with vegetables (and fish). There was a couple living in this farmhouse to take care of the guests and the building. They also made hand made Japanese Soba noodle pasta performed in front of us and served then on the spot. I was VERY full but had to try some. They served us really great food that night. Also Mr. Yamauchi who has his ceramic studio near by made cups and some wares we used.
This old farmhouse also had a traditional Japanese fireplace where we cooked Japanese stew with an iron stew pot. Crabs, vegetables, fish, Tofu, etc. etc. etc... Beautiful meal in beautiful night with an authentic Japanese country style.
After the handsome meal, we were treated by Sake, tea, and intimate live music. And after that Mr. Yamauchi, the ceramist, shared his deep and emotional philosophical thoughts about art and his life... Unfortunately, I was the only person there to translate his philosophy and opinions of American artists. And I was too full, tired and sleepy to do a good jobÉ So what people exchanged here with their ideas and philosophy were not really exchanged but stayed inside my head... I EXTREMELY enjoyed this conversation and being shared by Mr. YamauchiÕs philosophy. But I was so sorry that I was not able to translate all to both listenersÉ I wish if I had a portable tape recorder so that I could have translated later and shared it with all of us! (From the right: Masao Yamauchi, Peggy Zalucha, Mike Rosing, Curtis Rey, Michiko Yanagi, and me. ) (Photograph by Mr. Takahashi.)
DAY 5: 10/5 Visiting Old Japanese Farm House
The next morning we were served breakfast with coffee, toasts, bananas, MISO soup, and the left over from the night before. All of us slept really well at the Tatami mat floor with futon sets and woke up around 6am. There was a slight silhouette of Mt. Fuji appeared just a little bit for us to see. The weather was still hot from the typhoon. Otherwise, there suppose to be a beautiful Mt. Fuji standing right in front of this farmhouse!
There we are the ones who visited the old farmhouse at Izu. The rest of us were visiting their host families in different areas of Japan. Each of us all had a marvelous time and very valuable experiences through the trip... (From left back: Takahashi couple (the farmhouse keeper), Caroline, Mr. Yanagi, Hiroko, Minoru, Lee, Peggy, Leslee, Riah, Curtis, Tamlyn, and Rosing family.)
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