We don't bow to objects

This is part of my series on tea ceremony, a traditional Japanese art that I’ve always thought to be significant to design.
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Bowing is an essential part of Japanese social interaction. An appropriate bow is required for various situations -- and this applies to tea ceremony as well.

There are three kinds of bows:

SHIN -- the most formal, deepest bow, your entire hands touch the tatami mat. Shin-bows are performed between the host and the guests, e. g. before the guest drinks the tea the host has prepared.

GYO -- a semi-formal bow, not as deep as the shin-bow, your fingers but not the palms touch the tatami. The gyo-bow is performed among the guests, accompanies e. g. the expression "o-saki ni", a kind of excuse for drinking tea first.

SO -- an informal bow, only your fingertips touch the ground. It is just the indication of a bow, for situations when you can't bow properly, e. g. if you have something in your hands, the tea bowl or utensils.

These bows are exchanged between persons, as a greeting and to express respect and gratitude. However, when the guests enter the tea room, a deep shin-bow has to be performed in front of the tokonoma alcove where a hanging scroll with calligraphy or painting and flowers are displayed. But, as the teacher pointed out, it is not about bowing to the objects in the tokonoma. We don’t bow to objects, he said. Quite the reverse. The bow pays respect to the wisdom inherent in the artwork, created in a precious state of mind, allowing it to manifest.


Do I bow to objects?

It’s a question worth contemplating -- again and again.

Do you bow to objects?

Agenda: July 26 - August 01 / feat. "Ferita"

This week’s feature:
"Ferita" by Takushi Aono at GalleryrellaG, Kyoto
Ferita is Italian and means "wound" or "injury". But "injury" is only the anticipation of proceeding further into this room. Needles, tied to thin threads, like a thicket of thorns, seem to deny any access.
However, you don’t have to be a martyr. After a while, when your eyes got used to the glitter and twinkle, you will discover a way to enter -- without a scar.

The silent but intense installation is shown at GalleryrellaG, on the 5th floor of the Kotobuki building (map), south of the Shijo Kawaramachi crossing. The former bank building, constructed in 1927 with high ceilings and a wooden art deco staircase, now hosts the lovely Minä Perhonen shops and galleries dedicated to fashion, textile and jewellery design.




Kyoto

On Sunday starts Kyoto Arts 2010. The festival aims to provide a look at art in Kyoto "that spans over genres and generations" -- during the whole month of August.
As a part of Kyoto Arts 2010, Super Window Project will show "100 Cars On Karl Marx Allee" by Mathieu Mercier, off-site at Cafe Oku in Gion (August 1 - 29, 11:00 - 19:00, closed on Tuesdays, opening July 30, 17:00 - 20:00).

Exhibition Yasuhiko Kida's world at Shibunkaku (until August 01; 10:00 - 17:00, closed on Mondays; admission 800 Yen).

Exhibition "Xの謎" (X-Ray riddles) at the museum of the University of Kyoto (until August 29; 9:30 - 16:30, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays; admission: 400 Yen).

Antiques flea market on the grounds of Toji Temple (August 01, 7:00 - 16:00, on the first Sunday every month).

recommended:

A thicket of thorns -- accessible

Exhibition "Ferita" by Takushi Aono at GalleryrellaG (until July 31; 12:00 - 19:00, closed on Thursdays).

tommy "oden" toy cars, works from the breaker project and more

"paramodel solo exhibition : the world according to P" at Mori Yu Gallery Kyoto (until August 28; 12:00 - 19:00, closed on Sunday, Monday and national holidays).

Blurring the borders of art, science, research and experiment

Exhibition "Trouble in Paradise/Medi(t)ation of Survival" at the National Museum of Modern Art Kyoto (until August 22; 9:00 - 17:00, on Fridays until 20:00, closed on Mondays; admission: 850 Yen). Featured here.

Material, transcending itself

Exhibition "Direction of Materials" by Soshi Matsunobe at Super Window Project (until August 08; on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 14:00 - 19:00). Featured here.

Shintoism physically

Mitarashi festival at Shimogamo Shrine, one of my favourite traditional festivals so far in Kyoto. The core of the festival is a purification ritual: After wading barefooted through a cold creek on the grounds of the shrine -- with a candle in your hand --, you will receive some fresh spring water to drink. This is believed to bring health and energy for the whole summer. (until July 26; 17:30 - 22:30; donation: 200 Yen).

Nishinomiya

recommended:

Constructing endless possibilities

Exhibition "The world according to Paramodel" at Otani Memorial Art Museum (until August 1; 10:00 - 17:00; closed on Wednesday; admission: 500 Yen). Featured here.

Amagasaki

Exhibition "Animals in Contemporary Art" at Amagasaki Cultural Center (July 24 - August 29; 10:00 – 17:00, on Friday and Saturday until 18:00, closed on Tuesday; Admission: 600 Yen).


Osaka

Exhibition "Shigeo Fukuda’s Visual Jumping" at ddd gallery (July 13 - September 4; 11:00 - 19:00, on Saturdays until 18:00; closed on Sunday, Monday and on national holidays; opening: July 13, from 17:30 on).

Exhibition "The Complete Posters of Tadanori Yokoo" at the National Museum of Art, Osaka (July 13 - September 12:; 10:00 – 17:00, on Friday until 19:00, closed on Monday; admission: 1100 Yen).

Exhibition "Planet Antiques" by Toshiyuki Shibakawa at YOD Gallery (until July 31; 11:00 - 19:00; closed on Sunday and Monday).

recommended:

Creative gatherings organized by OOO

"SHOVEL" summer tour at graf salon (from 15:00 on Sunday August 01; admission: 1200 Yen including one drink; reservation required). More here.

Foreigner’s Live Art Guide

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

..........
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.

Agenda: 19 - 25 July / feat. PARAMODEL

This week’s feature:
"The world according to Paramodel" at Otani Memorial Art Museum, Nishinomiya
The artist duo Paramodel (formed in 2001 by Yusuke Nakano and Yasuhiko Hayashi) has transformed the entire museum into a construction site -- but none of these "parents keep children out" construction sites. On the contrary, the extensive installations assembled from blue plastic rails or gray PVC pipes, crawling up the walls, covering the ceiling, free of any function or purpose, fill us with a childlike joy.
Taking up the fascination with the temporary, unfinished state of a construction site, where all is still open to our dreams and imagination, Paramodel’s constructions just don’t end, they continue endlessly.
Their unrestricted creativity evolves not only in these installations, but also in the well known "tommy sushi" toy cars, paintings on wood boards (including those on ema, Shinto votive tablets) and even into the garden.
Admission: 500 Yen.

And there is even more Paramodel to see in Kansai at the moment: Mori Yu Gallery in Kyoto, the gallery that represents Paramodel, also shows their work.


Kyoto

Exhibition "Ferita" by Takushi Aono at GalleryrellaG (until July 31; 12:00 - 19:00, closed on Thursdays).

Exhibition Yasuhiko Kida's world at Shibunkaku (until August 01; 10:00 - 17:00, closed on Mondays; admission 800 Yen).

Exhibition "Xの謎" (X-Ray riddles) at the museum of the University of Kyoto (until August 29; 9:30 - 16:30, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays; admission: 400 Yen).

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

recommended:

tommy "oden" toy cars, works from the breaker project and more

"paramodel solo exhibition : the world according to P" at Mori Yu Gallery Kyoto (until August 28; 12:00 - 19:00, closed on Sunday, Monday and national holidays).

Blurring the borders of art, science, research and experiment

Exhibition "Trouble in Paradise/Medi(t)ation of Survival" at the National Museum of Modern Art Kyoto (until August 22; 9:00 - 17:00, on Fridays until 20:00, closed on Mondays; admission: 850 Yen). Featured here.

Utopian skyscrapers, castles and churches -- soft and playful

Exhibition "BAU" by Takashi Suzuki at radlab exhibition projects in cooperation with Super Window Project (until July 25; on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 13:00 - 21:00). Featured here.

Material, transcending itself

Exhibition "Direction of Materials" by Soshi Matsunobe at Super Window Project (until August 08; on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 14:00 - 19:00). Featured here.

Shintoism physically

Mitarashi festival at Shimogamo Shrine, one of my favourite traditional festival so far in Kyoto. The core of the festival is a purification ritual: After wading barefooted through a cold creek on the grounds of the shrine -- with a candle in your hand --, you will receive some fresh spring water to drink. This is believed to bring health and energy for the whole summer. (July 23 - 26; 17:30 - 22:30; donation: 200 Yen).

Nishinomiya

recommended:

Constructing endless possibilities

Exhibition "The world according to Paramodel" at Otani Memorial Art Museum (until August 1; 10:00 - 17:00; closed on Wednesday; admission: 500 Yen, free admission on July 19.).

Amagasaki

Exhibition "Animals in Contemporary Art" at Amagasaki Cultural Center (July 24 - August 29; 10:00 – 17:00, on Friday and Saturday until 18:00, closed on Tuesday; Admission: 600 Yen).


Osaka

Exhibition "Shigeo Fukuda’s Visual Jumping" at ddd gallery (July 13 - September 4; 11:00 - 19:00, on Saturdays until 18:00; closed on Sunday, Monday and on national holidays; opening: July 13, from 17:30 on).

Exhibition "The Complete Posters of Tadanori Yokoo" at the National Museum of Art, Osaka (July 13 - September 12:; 10:00 – 17:00, on Friday until 19:00, closed on Monday; admission: 1100 Yen).

Exhibition "Planet Antiques" by Toshiyuki Shibakawa at YOD Gallery (until July 31; 11:00 - 19:00; closed on Sunday and Monday).

Report session about Noriko Yamaguchi's "Keitai Girl" performance during Art HK10 at Gallery MEM (July 25, from 18:00 on; reservation necessary).

recommended:

Foreigner’s Live Art Guide

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

..........
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.

Kyoto Promotion Poetry #2

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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.

Misbehaving for the sake of beauty?

Yes, I am learning tea ceremony. You might have guessed it from the introductory post "Don’t reveal all at once".

One of the first things you learn when studying the 'way of tea' is walking in the tea room. Besides explaining the different functions and meanings of the room and how to move appropriate to that, the teacher encouraged us to slide our feet slightly over the tatami mats and make a sound.

Memories of my childhood came up, I recalled my parents saying, "Don't scuff your feet, lift them!" And hence I was quite reluctant to do so.

But since I was not the only one -- the class I attend is kindly offered to foreigners interested in tea by the Urasenke International Chado Institute (ICI) -- the teacher repeatedly suggested sliding our feet. With little effect. So, finally he added as an explanation: We like the sound it makes.

After that my attitude changed. I realized that this sound can be perceived as being as beautiful as the sound of the boiling water, the rustle of the wind in the trees, or the singing of the uguisu bird. Paying attention to gentle sensations like that is essential for the 'multi-sensory design' of the tea ceremony, but cultural conditioning and socialization unconsciously kept me from recognizing this particular sound as a part of the repertoire.

Now I try to "misbehave" for the sake of beauty. The experience also sheds a different light on all those Japanese girls who scuff their feet while walking…

Agenda: 12 - 18 July / feat. "Trouble in Paradise"

This week’s feature:
"Trouble in Paradise/Medi(t)ation of Survival" at the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto
Experience art with your entire body and mind: For example, let the installation "Light / Sound / Brain" (pictured above) search for the color that makes you feel most relaxed -- by measuring your brain activity with a fNIRS Near-InfraRed Spectroscopy device (reservation required). Or climb the "Linus’s Walk" and find a cozy cove. In adaptation of the 'Security Blanket' and the famous Peanuts character Linus, this complex structure provides both: comfort and shelter as well as challenge and accomplishment (pictured below).
The borders of art, science, research and experiment have become blurred.
And there is more to explore in this hands on exhibition -- physically and intellectually, since the works touch on essential questions of human existence in various social contexts.
Admission: 850 Yen.


Kyoto

"paramodel solo exhibition : the world according to P" at Mori Yu Gallery Kyoto (July 18 - August 28; 12:00 - 19:00, closed on Sunday, Monday and national holidays; opening reception: July 18, from 18:00 on).

Exhibition Yasuhiko Kida's world at Shibunkaku (until August 01; 10:00 - 17:00, closed on Mondays).

Exhibition "Xの謎" (X-Ray riddles) at the museum of the University of Kyoto (until August 29; 9:30 - 16:30, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays).

recommended:

Blurring the borders of art, science, research and experiment

Exhibition "Trouble in Paradise/Medi(t)ation of Survival" at the National Museum of Modern Art Kyoto (until August 22; 9:00 - 17:00, on Fridays until 20:00, closed on Mondays).

Utopian skyscrapers, castles and churches -- soft and playful

Exhibition "BAU" by Takashi Suzuki at radlab exhibition projects in cooperation with Super Window Project (until July 25; on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 13:00 - 21:00). Featured here.

Material, transcending itself

Exhibition "Direction of Materials" by Soshi Matsunobe at Super Window Project (until August 08; on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 14:00 - 19:00). Featured here.

Nishinomiya

Exhibition "The world according to Paramodel" at Otani Memorial Art Museum (June 26 - August 1; 10:00 - 17:00; closed on Wednesday)


Osaka

Exhibition "Shigeo Fukuda’s Visual Jumping" at ddd gallery (July 13 - September 4; 11:00 - 19:00, on Saturdays until 18:00; closed on Sunday, Monday and on national holidays; opening: July 13, from 17:30 on).

Exhibition "The Complete Posters of Tadanori Yokoo" at the National Museum of Art, Osaka (July 13 - September 12:; 10:00 – 17:00, on Friday until 19:00, closed on Monday).

Exhibition "Planet Antiques" by Toshiyuki Shibakawa at YOD Gallery (until July 31; 11:00 - 19:00; closed on Sunday and Monday)

And apply until July 18 for the report session about Noriko Yamaguchi's "Keitai Girl" performance during Art HK10 at Gallery MEM (July 25, from 18:00 on).

recommended:

Foreigner’s Live Art Guide

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

..........
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.

Agenda: June 28 - July 11 / feat. "BAU"

Note: This time the agenda covers two weeks.


This fortnight’s feature:
"BAU" by Takashi Suzuki at radlab exhibition projects*)
Shown in a tremendous variety, you will surely recognize the cleaning sponge you use. But are the pictured sponges still the same mundane everyday life stuff? Stripped of their function and architecturally assembled -- "BAU" is German and means "building" -- they look like skyscrapers, castles and churches, but of unusual quality: Soft, vibrantly coloured and playful. A glimpse of utopia.
*) in cooperation with Super Window Project


Kyoto

Exhibition "Trouble in Paradise/Medi(t)ation of Survival" at the National Museum of Modern Art Kyoto (July 9 – August 22; 9:00 - 17:00, on Fridays until 20:00, closed on Mondays).

Exhibition Yasuhiko Kida's world at Shibunkaku (until August 01; 10:00 - 17:00, closed on Mondays).

Exhibition "Xの謎" (X-Ray riddles) at the museum of the University of Kyoto (until August 29; 9:30 - 16:30, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays).

Antiques flea market on the grounds of Toji Temple (July 04, 7:00 - 16:00, on the first Sunday every month).

recommended:

Utopian skyscrapers, castles and churches -- soft and playful

Exhibition "BAU" by Takashi Suzuki at radlab exhibition projects in cooperation with Super Window Project (until July 25; on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 13:00 - 21:00).

Material, transcending itself

Exhibition "Direction of Materials" by Soshi Matsunobe at Super Window Project (until August 08; on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 14:00 - 19:00). Featured here.

Nishinomiya

Exhibition "The world according to Paramodel" at Otani Memorial Art Museum (June 26 - August 1; 10:00 - 17:00; closed on Wednesday)


Osaka

Art Osaka 2010 (July 10 - 11; 12:00 - 19:00).

"@ YOU MORE BOOK" - a live book-making event at E-ma's gallery space D~ba (July 9 - 11).

Exhibition "Planet Antiques" by Toshiyuki Shibakawa at YOD Gallery (until July 31; 11:00 - 19:00; closed on Sunday and Monday)

recommended:

Award winning typography experiments

"Tokyo TDC Exhibition 2010" at ddd gallery (until July 03; 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.

..........
On the Agenda are events in Kyoto - and also in Osaka and Kobe - that I'm interested in and plan to attend.
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.