In NYC: 地跡 CHISEKI -Traces of Nature-

Art Shows, Calligraphy

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Stepping into a silent desolate field
Dressed in blessings from mother earth

The spirit of nature sketched
Footprints on a parched ground
Swirls in dance rustling the petals of
Dying flowers and leaves of trees

Reaching out to a pale moon
The spirit's warm kiss embraces all existence
On the planet reviving a sun's essence

History is nothing more than human evolution
Traced in decomposition and rejuvenation
Cultivated along winding paths where
Spirit empowers even the heartbeat of the earth
Repainting the drone of monotonous undertone
Into vibrant harmonies unfamiliar yet known

Chi (地-earth) Seki (跡-trace)
In celebration makes a
Tangible incarnation of earthy ensemble
Like stars strung by lightening that chime and hum
In delicate breeze pleasantry

Join us as we immortalize life through
Performance, art/installation and sound
Rooted in the movement of nature
Creating space for the
Blossoming spring within

Japanese artists now living in Sweden, San Francisco, and New York explore the theme of ChiSeki through installation, performance, visual and photography in hopes of leaving a trace of human distinctions in reverence of the natural order of life.

ChiSeki features Aoi Yamaguchi, Hiroko Tsuchimoto, Martin Soderblom, Mika Yanaguhara, Zaion, Tokio Kuniyoshi, Yoko Furusho, Akko Terasawa, PESU and Yasuaki Okamoto.

The opening reception event of ChiSeki at 310 Lounge, located on 310 Bowery in New York, will be held on Sunday, March 7th, 2010 from 8pm - 2am. The live performance will begin at 10:30pm on the night of the reception event. The exhibition will be on display through March 14th and is open to the public.

ついに、昨日NYC行のチケットを取りました。
「地跡」は、ほぼ2年前に札幌で個展をした時に、自然に根ざしたテキスタイルデザイナーの紘子ちゃんと「スウェーデンとサンフランシスコの間をとって、ニューヨークでショーがしたいね」とぽろりと話して盛り上がったことから始まりました。素材から布を作り、自然の恵みからできた染料で染められてできる彼女のファブリックと、同じく自然の恵みを素材とする和紙と墨を使う書道とのコラボレーションが出来ないかというところから、「大地の足跡」というコンセプトに。
サンフランシスコの戦友Akkoと、アルバムリリースにより脂ののっている在音と共に、そしてサンフラン時代からの友人の名フォトグラファー、トキオ氏との連携により、この計画が形になりました。
3月7日(日)、ニューヨークです。
みなさん会場でお会いしましょう!

CHISEKI PRESS RELEASE download (PDF)

Artists Overview

Aoi Yamaguchi (San Francisco) | Japanese Calligrapher
Akko Terasawa (San Francisco) | Graphic Designer / Photographer
Hiroko Tsuchimoto (Sweden) | Textile Artist
Mika Yanagihara (New York) | Contemporary Dancer
Martin Soderblom (Sweden) | Video Artist
Zaion (San Francisco) | Music Producer
Tokio Kuniyoshi (New York) | Photographer
Yoko Furusho (New York) | Illustrator
PESU (New York) | Painter
Yasuaki Okamoto (New York) | Painter

+Flyer Design by Akko Terasawa

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SHEZ PANISSE

Food

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Tuesday February 16.

I had a lunch with my friend Asami in North Berkeley.  It was our last lunch in the US before she goes back to Japan...She wanted to visit Chez Panisse, which is a well-known five-star restaurant in East Bay area.

Beautiful exterior.

Although its building is facing the main street (Shattuck), it made me feel like as if I walked on a narrow path in the woods for 20 minutes to get to this restaurant.

Busy, busy, busy.  A lot of people, dressed really nice for a Tuesday afternoon, enjoying their time in this organic and welcoming atmosphere.

I heard that their menu changes everyday.

I ordered a linguine pasta with sun-dried tomato, pesto and mozzarella cheese.  She ordered a fried oyster sandwich that comes with fresh green salad.  The appetizer of marinaded cod fish with greens was so awesome...

PEUGEOTのPepper & Salt Mill! I have been wanting to get one for my house..

A water bin with the name of the restaurant.  Such details make customers so happy...

We were so full that we couldn't order any desserts... bummer!  Next time. ;-)

I will definitely come back here for a gorgeous dinner some day.  Maybe on my birthday? Hmm?

We promised to see each other again in Tokyo this summer.  I will miss you Asami!

It was nice and fresh lunch with her on a mellow Tuesday afternoon.

Chez Panisse Restaurant and Café
1517 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94709-1516
http://www.chezpanisse.com/

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GRAVITY FREE mural painting @ Louie’s hair salon – day2

Art Shows

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Mural painting Day2: Wednesday, February 10, 2010.

I got here around 1pm - here they were, djow, 8g and Noa-, adding more details, polishing lines and colors - they have to finish this mural painting by the end of the day.  I was with them all day documenting the whole process.  It was colder than the day before.

Zaion filming. He was good at being invisible while he was filming.

djow.

A cityscape of San Francisco appeared!

"Are you guys doing it again!?"

8g, drawing a frog guitarist.

Noa-.

Mid-way....

This adorable frog guy comes here and play the guitar only several times a week. Hey, it's rare to meet him - don't forget to take a picture!

It's getting dark - yes we need a light.

We had an issue with the frog guy because he was playing music too loud.  He had to leave and go to the next spot where a lot of people waiting for him to perform.  Ok, it's time to say good bye... See you again, frog!

He's gone. And the mural's finished.

またGravity Freeの残した足跡が、サンフランシスコのとある壁に。

また会えるといいね、かえるさん。

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Gravity Free strikes SF.

Art Shows

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Welcome back, Gravity Free!  It has been almost two years since we met and did a collaborative live painting at S.I.R. show in SF.  After spending two days in LA, extending artist networks, they drove up to San Francisco.  We planned a small welcome party at Noa-'s place.

Oh, who the hell is Gravity Free? Well, here it is...

"Gravity Free is a livepainting unit formed by Djow, born in 1976 in Ibaraki, and 8g, born in 1977 in Nagasaki.  Conceived around the concept that "Live painting is the LIVE, the LIVE is the masterpiece", they transform their style of painting to the groove of live music.  The continuous abstract and fantastic vision explored by these artists ensures their world is truly "Gravity Free". They collaborate with musicians, performing up to 80 gigs a year, as the philosophy of live style incorporated music for the essence of "LIVE" audiences connect with the spirit of "LIVE", and their synthesis of rhythm and color has led to their inclusion at Fuji Rock Festival, one of Japan's largest summer out door music event.  Besides creating commissioned art for posters and CD covers, among other creation, they embark on a live painting tour as a band."

djow. Respect.

8g. 8 hours driving must have worn your energy out.

Kimuchi-nabe. So good especially when it's cold outside.

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2nd day - they crossed the Bay Bridge to visit Berkeley.  I just happened to be in the area, so briefly met up with them at a kick-ass bicycle store called Jitensha Studio on Bankloft in Berkeley, which is run by my friend Takato's family.

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3rd day - Tuesday Feb. 9th.

Live painting in action!

Today is the day for painting mural of a Louie Hair Salon, located at 4 Brady St.  They ordered cutlet sandwhich for lunch, but people at the restaurant misunderstood what they said, and gave them this cutlet curry.  Fueled up by this delicious spiciness, the crew slowly started to prepare.

As the sun goes down, somehow the wind stopped blowing, and it's getting a bit warmer than the daytime.  We set up a light for the night view, and they still kept painting. More and more people stopped by to see what's going on...

Holding a video camera instead of the guitar, a beat maker Zaion has been interviewing a lot of people who stopped by.  "That's cool man, I'm gonna come back and check it tomorrow."

A frog emerged from the abstract waves and swirls.  They're gonna come back here tomorrow and finish the rest.  To be continued...

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