Blog | Aoi Yamaguchi | Japanese Calligrapher, Aoi Yamaguchi's World of Art

Four Elements vol.4 WIND -風-

Posted on April 22nd, 2010 by Aoi

Art Shows, Events, Music

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Finally, the series of Four Elements is about to complete...!!

Four Elements vol.4 風 -WIND-

Surreality in Reality Presents

Japanese Art Exhibition and Performances

@Space Gallery
1141 Polk Street. SF | btw Sutter & Post | 415.377.3325
www.spacegallerysf.com

Exhibition: Monday 26, April 2010 - Saturday May 1, 2010
Gallery Hour 12-5pm

Reception: Saturday May 1, 2010
21+
3pm- Gallery Hour | FREE
7pm- Event | $5
8pm- Live Painting Performance

Awakened by the scents of Springtime released into gentle breezes, animal life rises from hibernation beneath fertile soil into the fresh WIND: the voice of nature.
Through art and media, Surreality in Reality (S.I.R.) has been exploring the elements, WATER, FIRE, EARTH, and now WIND, to bridge cultures with an awareness of nature inspired by the ancient Japanese philosophy of harmony between the four elements. In this final exhibition completing the cycle of our series, the S.I.R. Japanese Art Collective is preparing a space for the invisible force of WIND, it's power finding expression with a live performance, an exhibition, and in carrying the music.

Exhibition by
Ai Sugano (Photography)
Akane (Painting)
Akko Terasawa (Photography / Graphic Art)
Aoi Yamaguchi (Live Japanese Calligraphy / Exhibition)
Junko Maegawa (Graphic Art)
Keiko Moriyama (Photography)
Kenta Shimbo (Paper Toy)
Lavit Sea (Live Illustration / Exhibition)
Luke Short (Mixed Media)
Noa- (Live Painting / Exhibition)
Satoshi (Painting)
Sleepytiger (Illustration)
Taiko Fujimura (Mixed Media)
Takashi Akamatsu (Mixed Media)

Music by
Kento (fresco)
Yusai (Mellow Orange)
Zaion (Zaion Recordings)
Junzo (Welcome Home!)

****

久しぶりのブログになってしまいましたが、ついにSIRのFour Elementsシリーズも完結を迎えようとしています。今回は「風」です。先週はジャパンタウンで大々的に桜祭りが開催され、ここ最近は春を感じる風が肌に気持ちのいい日々です。進化を遂げているSpace GalleryでSIRがショーを始めてからもう２年になります。早いもんだなぁー。今回でSIR参加が最後になるメンバーも沢山います。私にとっては、かなり思い入れのあるショーになります。
みなさんぜひ遊びに来てくださいね！

先週の桜祭りの模様はこちら。↓
"SIR@ Cherry Blossom Festival"
http://sir-sf.blogspot.com/2010/04/sir-cherry-blossom-festival-2010.html

最近の碧生の日々はこちら。↓
"My work @ Gallery Heist: April show, 'WE RIDE AT NIGHT'"
http://galleryheist.com/blog/?p=763

＊＊＊＊

あ、そういえば、忙しくてなかなかイベントなどに顔を出せてない中、Thom YorkeのソロプロジェクトのAtoms for Peaceのライブに行ってきました。Atoms for Peace のベースはあのRed Hot Chili PeppersのFlea！！これがほんとに最高すぎて、私の心の中は大変な事になりました。Radioheadとレッチリは、私が高校時代からかなり入れこんできたバンド。ずっとDub StepやElectronicaのDJ系のイベントやJazzのコンサートに行っていたので、やっぱりロックの生バンドはいいなと改めて思わせられたショーでした。

改装されたばかりのFox Theater! 息をのむライティング。

前座はFlying Lotus。この間MezzanineにもFlying Lotusを見に行ったけれど、彼のライブは相変わらずベースぶんぶんの爆音で、彼のライブをより楽しむにはどんなEQが必要なのか考えてしまいました。そしてさらに、回りのお客さんは前座だと思って、ぺちゃくちゃおしゃべり。自分が目玉ではないライブでプレイするときに、自分の音も名前も聞いた事無いというお客さんの心をいかに掴むか。いい音創って、ショーのクオリティがやばいなら、お客さんも自然に反応するはず。「お、誰だこれ？！」と。Flying Lotusがセットを終えてバックに戻るとき、ステージに近い席のお客さんたちはかなりの声援をあげていました。やはり、日々自分の世界を極めていく事なのだな。

今週はBonoboがまたやってきます。
WINDの為の書道の作品を頑張って終わらせて、Bonobo行けるようにがんばろう。

— Read more

大地の足跡を振り返る

Posted on March 13th, 2010 by Aoi

Art Shows, Calligraphy

1 Comment

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NYCでの二度目のショー。今回は、書道作品の展示はせず、パフォーマンスだけに集中。

『地跡』

足を踏み入れると、そこは荒野だった
植物は枯れ果て、大地は乾き、生物は姿を消していた。
青ざめた月が、音の無いくたびれた地を見下ろしていた。
太陽はどこかに消えてしまったようだ。

ひっそりとした静寂の中を、艶やかに。
衣を身に纏い、鳥とともに唄い、風とともに木々の間をすり抜け、
新たな光を求めて舞う。

太陽のあくび
星の瞬き
若芽のひるね
大地の鼓動

いのちの音を聴く
大地が奏でるいのちの音に耳を傾ける

歴史というのは人類の進化の足跡に他ならない
腐敗と再生を繰り返すその足跡を辿る　ー　その一戦が「歴史」という概念を創る
生命の精が大地の鼓動を蘇らせ、強くする
単色かつ単調であったその音を、
生き生きとしたハーモニーへと塗り替えてゆく

「地跡」
その自然の在り方を尊い、礼賛する大地の協奏曲
星が瞬き奏でるチャイムや
風の鼻歌のように

Visual Projection by Martin Söderblom

地跡、パフォーマンス開始数分前。
ダンサーのみかちゃんに、ただ音楽を感じて、自由に舞って欲しいと伝えた。
ひび割れた大地。
生命の影のない荒野。
青ざめた月。
消えた太陽。
そこに足を踏み入れ、絶望に打ちひしがれる自然の精。
その精の肢体の触れるところから、生命が蘇る。
乾いた大地に水が湧き立ち、木々は枝を伸ばし、花は咲き乱れる。

普段はほとんど緊張しない。
程よい緊張感を胸に感じながら、彼女の動きを目で追い、足を強く踏みしめた所に筆で詩を足跡のように記す。
紘子ちゃんの手によって描かれ創られた衣装を纏い、墨にまみれていく彼女の体と、張り付く裸足の足の裏。
白く塗られた新聞は黒いストロークに染められて行き、彼女の強いステップで最初の一箇所が破れた。
私はそこに蒼ざめた月を見た。底無しに黒く暗い。

死から再生へと向かう過程と、それが繰り返されて刻まれて来た歴史を、30分のインプロビゼーションで表現しようという試みだった。在音の音が、このストーリーを形にしてくれた。時の経過を具現化する最大要素がこの「音」という要素だからだ。
音をキーにして、パフォーマンスは進む。
物語は進む。

Photo by Joel Dittrich

Photo by Tokio Kuniyoshi

最高な経験をした。
音楽はイメージ通りだった。
精の舞いもイメージ通りだった。
歓喜の讃美歌だった。
彼の音を、欲しいと思った。
自由に筆を運んだ、無我夢中で運んだ。

そして最後に、精はその足跡の一部となった。美しく描かれたいのちの再生の絵画の中に、還り、ひとつとなった。

地跡は、宙に吊るされた。
破れた穴の数だけ、黒く残された足跡の数だけ、踏みしめられた大地のありかたの様な、大きな一枚だ。

ありがとう。
これで私もまた一歩前に進める。

(From upper left: Zaion, Yoko, Tokio, Mika
Lower left: Yasuaki, Hiroko, Pesu, Aoi)

このショーの計画から実現までに関わってくれたアーティストのみんな、ありがとう。
会場でこの空間を共有してくれたみなさん、サンフランシスコからはるばる見に来てくれた応援隊、ありがとう！

— Read more

In NYC: 地跡 CHISEKI -Traces of Nature-

Posted on February 27th, 2010 by Aoi

Art Shows, Calligraphy

1 Comment

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lightbox

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

www.glamourousmonochrome.com

Akko Terasawa (San Francisco) | Graphic Designer / Photographer

www.whateverr.com

Hiroko Tsuchimoto (Sweden) | Textile Artist

www.hirokotsuchimoto.com

Mika Yanagihara (New York) | Contemporary Dancer

Martin Soderblom (Sweden) | Video Artist

Zaion (San Francisco) | Music Producer

www.zaionrecordings.com

Tokio Kuniyoshi (New York) | Photographer

www.shootinglife.net

Yoko Furusho (New York) | Illustrator

yokofurusho.com

PESU (New York) | Painter

www.pesuart.com

Yasuaki Okamoto (New York) | Painter

elyas.seesaa.net/

+Flyer Design by Akko Terasawa

— Read more

SHEZ PANISSE

Posted on February 22nd, 2010 by Aoi

Food

1 Comment

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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/

— Read more

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

Posted on February 22nd, 2010 by Aoi

Art Shows

No Comments

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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。

— Read more

Gravity Free strikes SF.

Posted on February 9th, 2010 by Aoi

Art Shows

No Comments

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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.

*

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.

*

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...

— Read more

Four Elements vol.3 EARTH -土-

Posted on January 16th, 2010 by Aoi

Art Shows, Music

2 Comments

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Flyer design by Mie Honmura & Junko Maegawa
Four Elements logo design by Andy Baron

波瀾万丈な予感のする2010年の幕開けから、やっとブログをアップする時間を得て（つまりは風邪をひいたということなんですが）、告知に至りますSIRのアートショー。
Surreality in Realityの2010年、第一弾目は、自然の四要素３つ目の「土」"EARTH"。
新たなメンバーを迎えて、大地に根を張る大木のごとく成長しつつあるSIRですが、今年は５月で２周年を迎えるということもあり、パワーアップしていきたいと思っています。

テクスチャーの加わった渋いフライヤーデザインを手がけてくれたのはMieさん aka Sleepytiger & Junkoさん。今回はまた奮発してバニッシュのフィニッシュを加えて、お洒落な仕上がりです。
今Business Cardも製作中、果たしてイベント開催当日に間に合うかはどきどきなところですが。

会場で「土」という空間を感じてもらうべく、試行錯誤しながらミーティングを重ねて、着々と準備中です。
今回は展示期間が水曜日から土曜日まであり、土曜日の夜７時前までに来てくれた人には、７時からのイベントに無料で入れるという特典もあります。というわけで、会場ヘはお早めに。
ではみなさん、Space Galleryで会いましょう♥

*

Finally I was able to update my blog - it means that I caught a cold and can't get out of the bed. My pillow and Kleenex are my best friends right now. Hopefully I'll be able to go out and breathe some fresh air tomorrow.

So, here in San Francisco, Surreality In Reality crew's first art show of this year is coming up on January 30th, 2010, entitled as "Four Elements vol.3 EARTH". Four new members came on board, and we are ready to sail out and explore the rest of this long journey. I'd like to take SIR to the next level this year, since our 2nd year anniversary is coming up in May. I am glad to see how we as an art collective are growing like a big tree spreading its roots underground.

You'll experience new SIR - don't miss out!

*

Four Elements vol.3 土 -EARTH-

Surreality in Reality Presents
Japanese Art Exhibition and Performances

@Space Gallery
1141 Polk Street. SF | btw Sutter & Post | 415.377.3325
www.spacegallerysf.com

Exhibition: Wednesday January 27 - Saturday 30, 2010
Gallery Hour 12-5pm

Reception: Saturday January 30, 2010
21+
3pm- Gallery Hour | FREE
7pm- Event | $5
8pm- Live Painting Performance

Surreality in Reality Crew is cultivating the wilderness in pursuit of the third element among Four Elements of nature: Water, Fire, Earth and Wind. The fruits of the fire and water have formed, ripened and returned to soil, as known as Earth, providing ideal nutrient base and minerals. Fallen leaves and fruits of autumn fertilize the earth, generating lives on this planet. This series of art exhibitions and live performances will be presented by Japanese local talents, known as S.I.R., showcasing their artistic interpretation of "EARTH" in various media.

Exhibition by
Ai Sugano (Photography)
Akira (Mixed Media)
Akane (Painting)
Akko Terasawa (Photography / Graphic Art)
Aoi Yamaguchi (Live Japanese Calligraphy / Exhibition)
Daichi Wakui (Photography)
Hideki Owa (Graphic Art)
Junko Maegawa (Graphic Art)
Keiko Moriyama (Photography)
Kenta Shimbo (Paper Toy)
Koji Nagao (Stop Motion)
Lavit Sea (Live Illustration / Exhibition)
Luke Short (Mixed Media)
Noa- (Live Painting / Exhibition)
Satoshi (Painting)
Sleepytiger (Illustration)
Taiko Fujimura (Mixed Media)
Takashi Akamatsu (Mixed Media)
Tetsuo Kikuchi (Painting)

Music by
Chikaramanga (Giant Panda / TRES Records)
Kento (fresco)
Yusai (Mellow Orange)
Zaion (Zaion Recordings)

SURREALITY IN REALITY
www.sir-sf.com

— Read more

INVASION & CULTIVATION.

Posted on January 16th, 2010 by Aoi

Art Shows, Events

No Comments

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みなさん2010年明けましておめでとうございます。

新年あけてしまいましたが、去年から編集していたビデオがやっと完成したのでupします。

INVASION by Punk Drunkers & Aoi Yamaguchi Japanese Calligraphy Performance from Aoi Yamaguchi.

＊

PUNK DRUNKERSという渋谷は千駄ヶ谷にあるファッションブランドが、西海岸はサンフランシスコ、Lower Haightを侵略しにやってきた。D-Structureは以前からSIRとしてもコラボをしようという話をしていたので、今回が（SIR全体としてではないが）実質初の計画実行となる。
今回のこの侵略計画を企てたのは他でもない、D-Structureの剣士であるTAKESHI BABA氏である。
「和＋洋＋遊び」をモットーとする彼らのこの侵略記念祝いのイベントで、書道のパフォーマンスをさせていただいてきた。

PUNK DRUNKERSの里美さんも浜田さんもおつかれさまです。
日本の文化をこういった形でストリートに持って行く彼らのスタイルにはかなりインスピレーションを受けました。
江頭とのコラボもさることながら、サンフランのクラウドにはかなりフレッシュなアートなのでは。
また日本での再会を楽しみに。。

今年も山口碧生を宜しくお願いします。

— Read more

Natural Traces

Posted on December 16th, 2009 by Aoi

Discovery, 随想

1 Comment

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今日、近所のグロッサリーに紙コップと紙皿を買いに出かけて、歩いていたらこんな素敵な発見。

落ち葉が、コンクリートの上に跡を残していた。

連日の雨が、ウォーターカラーのような、淡墨画のような柔らかい水のにじみをつくりだして

家に帰って来て、使い古しのキャンバスを真っ白に塗った。

自然の足跡に、美術館では見られない素朴な美を魅せられた。

*

Fallen autumn leaves left traces on the concrete sidewalk.

It was on the way to the grocery store near my studio; I found it just under my foot.

The recent rain created an effect on this nature's stencil, that resembles watercolor or sumi-e.

Inspired by this little discovery, I came home and painted my old canvas in white to start it over.

True beauty resides in nature - something that you cannot find in a museum.

— Read more

WONDER-FULL SF.

Posted on December 15th, 2009 by Aoi

Events, Music

No Comments

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Oh so long for this night I prayed
That a star would guide you my way
To share with me this special day
Where a ribbon's in the sky for our love...

I love listening to Stevie's voice that beautifully flows with the clear sound of piano, especially in the car when I drive to cross the Bay Bridge. If the sky is blue, with this melody the sky looks more blue..

I was waiting for this day: Stevie Wonder Tribute: WONDER-FULL SF @ Mezzanine, December 14, 2009.

It has been raining in San Francisco these days. Although it was raining so hard this Saturday, Mezzanine was packed - people gather to where good music is, no matter how sadly the sky cries.

I had wonderful weekend thanks to DJ Spinna & Bobbito. They were having another party at SOM the next day, so I stopped by after the work at gallery & party at Kevin Taylor's studio (←this was wonderfull too!). I was dancing dancing dancing for two nights in a row. They've got vibes, grooves!! Ah.

Music makes me cry.

"Stevie didn't have to see to believe. All you have to do is listen to believe."

Yes.

It reminded me of what Bill Withers said in his documentary film, which I saw recently at the film screenings at Poleng Lounge. Bill was making a song with an blind musician, and he said to him:

"You are disabled in one thing, but you are enabled in so many other things."

It is so true. Half full, or half empty.

*

Right now my brain is occupied by this song: "Young Folks" by Peter, Bjorn and John. How can I get away from this??

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