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  • Live Performance with SF Taiko Dojo @ Bentley Reserve this Friday Presented by Suntory Whiskey Toki

    Live Performance with SF Taiko Dojo @ Bentley Reserve this Friday Presented by Suntory Whiskey Toki

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    This coming Friday, I will be performing live calligraphy in collaboration with San Francisco Taiko Dojo at SF FEAST LUCKYRICE, a premium wine & food event which takes place at Bently Reserve in the heart of San Francisco. Presented by Suntory Whiskey Toki, the event features San Francisco’s diverse fine Asian restaurants, presenting chef’s tasting menu and special cocktails.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][rs_image_block image=”6763″][rs_space height=”45px”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]DATE: Friday September 8th, 2017
    TIME: VIP 7:00pm – 10:00pm | GA: 8:00pm – 10:00pm
    VENUE: Bently Reserve
    301 Battery St
    San Francisco, CA 94111
    TICKETS: VIP $150 | GA: $88[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”MORE DETAILS & BUY TICKETS” style=”custom” custom_background=”#3a3a3a” custom_text=”#f7f7f7″ shape=”square” link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fluckyrice.com%2Fevent%2Fsan-francisco-feast-4%2F|||”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][vc_column align=”center” width=”1/2″][rs_space height=”45px”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Featured in GMUND Lakepaper Blocker designed by Tolleson

    Featured in GMUND Lakepaper Blocker designed by Tolleson

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    “Paper is not just a medium — it is the message”

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    I am featured in Gmund’s Lakepaper Blocker with talented San Francisco female artists Heather Day and Tiffanie Turner, designed by Tolleson San Francisco (photos shot by Eric Einwiller, performance photo by Vivian Sachs).

    Gmund is a Germany-based premium paper brand. The brochure consists of a series of photos from studio visits of each artist and a quote, which was cited from a short interview.

    Every page you turn, it takes you to a visual journey where artists dream and create, with the gentle feel of softness of the paper…. so delighted to be part of this wonderful brochure. Thank you team Tolleson for having me, and for such a lovely time.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][rs_gallery column=”3″ images=”6696,6697,6698″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column align=”center”][symple_button url=”http://tolleson.com/work/gmund/gmund-blocker/” color=”grey”]VIEW MORE ON TOLLESON.COM[/symple_button][rs_space height=”45px”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • SEASONS 08: JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHOP FOR AUGUST 「空蝉」-EMPTY CICADA: THIS MORTAL LIFE-

    SEASONS 08: JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHOP FOR AUGUST 「空蝉」-EMPTY CICADA: THIS MORTAL LIFE-

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    SEASONS 08
    AUGUST 葉月

    空蝉 Utsusemi
    -Empty Cicada: This Mortal Life-

    For August session, the seasonal word for the month is 空蝉 “Utsusemi“. Utsusemi literally means “an empty locust”, and also defined as “this mortal life”. In the hot and humid summer in Japan, you can hear the sound of 蟬 (semi) – cicadas, everywhere, letting us know that it’s the peak of summer season.  Cicadas lie beneath the earth for 3 to 17 years depending on the species, and eventually emerge above ground as nymph, climb up the trees and shed their larvae shells. They live overground for 4 weeks, only for breeding for their next generation, then fall off the tree. Utsusemi have been used in poetry symbolizing of the beauty of the ephemeral nature of our lives in Japanese culture for hundreds of years. During this hands-on workshop, you will write your choice of words from selected Japanese classic haiku poems themed in Utsusemi.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title=”VIEW CLASS & REGISTER” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fateliertowa_workshop_seasons07_utsusemi.eventbrite.com|||”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][rs_space height=”45px”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • SEASONS 07: JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHOP FOR JULY/AUG 「蓮葉」-DRIFTING LOTUS PADS-

    SEASONS 07: JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHOP FOR JULY/AUG 「蓮葉」-DRIFTING LOTUS PADS-

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    SEASONS 07
    JULY 文月

    蓮葉 Hasuha
    -Drifting Lotus Pads-

     

    For July session, the seasonal word for the month is 蓮葉  “Hasuha”, meaning “Drifting Lotus Pads”. From mid-July to mid-August in Japan, countless lotus pads cover the surface of ponds and lakes, and beautiful lotus flowers bloom in the midst of drifting lotus pads.

    In Buddhism, lotus flowers has been cherished as a symbol of purity of the body, speech, and mind; awakening and enlightenment, as they grow out of muddy water and bloom beautifully – as if they float over the muddy water – the presense of the flower is so genuine and bracing. You will write your choice of words from selected Japanese classic haiku poems themed in Hasuha.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][vc_column align=”center” width=”1/3″][vc_btn title=”VIEW CLASS & REGISTER ” shape=”square” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fateliertowa_workshop_seasons07_hasuha.eventbrite.com|||” css=”.vc_custom_1501701624923{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][rs_space height=”25px”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Do Audible 2017 – CALIGRAFÍA DO SON: Sound Calligraphy in Pontevedra, Spain

    Do Audible 2017 – CALIGRAFÍA DO SON: Sound Calligraphy in Pontevedra, Spain

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    I’m very excited to announce my upcoming collaborative calligraphy performance at Do Audible in collaboration with two contemporary classical pianists Haruna Takebe & David Durán, performing an hour program of compositions by world-renowned composers Toru Takemitsu and Toshio Hosokawa. The performance takes place at a beautiful Basilica of Santa María a Mayor of Pontevedra, Spain on June 9th, 8:30pm.

    来週はベルリンを後にし、スペインへ向かいます。
    スペインはサンティアゴ・デ・コンポステーラを拠点とするVertixe Sonoraアンサンブルの企画する音楽フェスティバル『Do Audible』に招聘いただき、スペインを拠点として活躍されるコンテンポラリークラシカルピアニスト武部はる奈さんとDavid Durán氏のピアノ共演と共に、書道パフォーマンスを披露します。日本を代表する現代音楽家武満徹氏の「Corona」そして現代音楽作曲家細川俊夫氏のワールドプレミアとなる新曲を含む、1時間に渡るプログラムとなります。
    6月9日夜8時半から、会場はポンテベドラにある歴史ある教会、Basilica of Santa María a Mayor of Pontevedraにて開催となります。

    お近くの方は、ぜひ足を運んでいただけましたら幸いです。

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    Do Audible I

    CALIGRAFÍA DO SON (Sound Caligraphy)
    Vertixe Sonora + Aoi Yamaguchi
    Haruna Takebe & David Durán, pianos
    Aoi Yamaguchi, caligrafía
    and Masako Hattori

    June 9th 8:30 p.m.
    at Basilica of Santa María a Mayor of Pontevedra, Spain

    Presented by CGAC (Centro Galego de Arte Contemporánea) (Galician Center for Contemporary Art) with Cultura galega – Xunta de Galicia, with Vicerreitoría do Campus de Pontevedra, Fundación Japón, Casa Galicia Japón ガリシア日本協会, Departamento de Xaponés das EOIs de Vigo e da Coruña

    More details:
    http://vertixesonora.net/v-ciclo-do-audible-2017/

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    Do Audible 2017
    Música en diálogo coa arte, coa ciencia e co pensamento contemporáneos

    Caligrafía do son
    con Aoi Yamaguchi e Masako Hattori Venres 9 de xuño ás 20:30 h

    Basílica de Santa María a Maior, Pontevedra
    Colaboran: Vicerreitorado de Pontevedra, Fundación Japón, Casa Galicia-Japón e Departamento de Xaponés das Escolas Oficiais de Idiomas de Vigo e da Coruña

     

    PROGRAMA:

    T. Hosokawa: Melodía II (1977)
    T. Hosokawa: Étude III – Haiku (2013)*
    T. Takemitsu: Corona I Study for Vibration – Blue
    T. Hosokawa: Étude V – Anger (2013)*
    T. Takemitsu: Corona II Study for Intonation – Red
    T. Hosokawa: Étude VI – Lied (2013)*
    T. Takemitsu: Corona III Study for Articulation – Yellow T. Hosokawa: Souvenir aus Japan –Sakura– (2007)** T. Takemitsu: Corona IV Study for Expression – Grey T. Hosokawa: Yoru no Kuni (1981) ***
    T. Takemitsu: Corona V Study for Conversation – White

    _

    Aoi Yamaguchi, caligrafía
    Masako Hattori, videocreación
    VERTIXE SONORA [intérpretes neste concerto] Haruna Takebe e David Durán, pianos

    “A música é caligrafía que emprega sons pintados no lenzo do silencio”

    A partir desta metáfora do compositor xaponés Toshio Hosokawa, preséntase un programa no que a arte de tinta da mestra calígrafa Aoi Yamaguchi e a música do propio Hosokawa e do seu mestre Tōru Takemitsu conforman un espectáculo único.

    O Shodō (書道), caligrafía xaponesa, é unha das belas artes máis populares no Xapón e posúe un profundo sentido filosófico. Para cada liña e cada punto son moi importantes o seu inicio, a súa dirección, a súa forma e o seu termo; o balance entre todos os elementos, e ata o espazo baleiro entre eles, todo entraña un vasto significado. Aínda que en sentido estrito non se trate máis que de escritura delicada, nas obras caligráficas materialízase un dos principios básicos da estética xaponesa, owabi sabi(侘寂), que suxire calidades como a imperdurabilidade, a humildade, a sinxeleza, a asimetría e a rusticidade, entre outras.

    Nesta proposta, a arte bidimensional da caligrafía tradicional xaponesa transfórmase na arte da expresión física dunha performance. De Toshio Hosokawa ofreceranse varias presentacións históricas: dúas estreas en España, a reestrea dunha partitura de 1981 –perdida e recentemente recuperada– e a estrea mundial de Souvenir aus Japan. Ademais do diálogo entre trazo e son, terá lugar outra intensa conversa entre a música de Hosokawa e a do seu modelo artístico Tōru Takemitsu, de quen se escoitará a interpretación da partitura gráfica Corona for Pianist(s) (1962), raramente programada.

    *presentación en España ** estrea absoluta
    *** reestrea

    Sobre a calígrafa Aoy Yamaguchi

    Natural de Hokkaido, no Xapón, Aoi Yamaguchi foi adestrada para dominar a arte da caligrafía co Mestre Zuiho Sato desde os 6 anos. Recibiu numerosos galardóns, incluídos primeiros premios do ministerio de educación na 44th Asahi Calligraphy Nationwide School Exhibit, e na 33rd National Students Calligraphy Exhibition. Foi seleccionada no ano 2000 para representar o Xapón na China e en sesións de intercambio de caligrafía.

    Os traballos de Yamaguchi exploran a xustaposición dos clásicos orientais tradicionais e as expresións artísticas contemporáneas. Tamén transforman a arte bidimensional da caligrafía xaponesa en expresión artística física a través da perfomance. Colaborou con compañías de danza contemporánea, modelos, percusionistas de Taiko xaponés etc. Tamén participou en proxectos que integran a caligrafía en producións visuais en directo para festivais de música. Actualmente reside en Berkeley, California, onde desenvolve as súas propias instalacións de caligrafía conceptual, exposicións, performances, deseño de logotipos personalizados e traballos para encomendas no ámbito internacional. En todas as facetas da súa carreira persegue a mestura de formas de arte tradicionais con estéticas modernas.

    Sobre os compositores Tōru Takemitsu e Toshio Hosokawa

    As obras para piano de Tōru Takemitsu ( 武満徹, 1930-1996) e Toshio Hosokawa ( 細川 俊夫 1955-) son paradigma de arte intercultural, ao integrar aspectos da tradición xaponesa coa arte vangardista occidental precisamente a través do instrumento europeo por antonomasia. Pénsese que o piano é un instrumento creado por e para a música occidental, a partir do sistema de afinación fixo de doce notas, e dun singular timbre que remite a unha concreta (e gran) tradición europea; porén, completamente afastado do ideario sonoro duns compositores con fondas raíces culturais que camiñan por vieiros sonoros verdadeiramente diversos.”

     

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  • WORKSHOPS at TYPO BERLIN 2017

    WORKSHOPS at TYPO BERLIN 2017

    During TYPO Berlin 2017 at Haus der Kulturen der Welt in the heart of Berlin, I’ve taught two Japanese calligraphy workshops for Day 2 and Day 3. For each two-hours workshop, we hosted 24 participants. I was really excited to see overwhelming line of people who wished to participate in the workshop! I loved how everyone’s eyes were glowing and I could see the excitement in their eyes.

    I began the workshop with a short introduction on Japanese calligraphy; from a brief history to the names and functions of each calligraphy tools and how to treat them, proper posture, and the connection between your Mind and Body. I’ve brought 5 Kanji characters for everyone to choose one from, and they practiced the chosen character on Hanshi paper over and over again, until they start to feel comfortable with handling Japanese calligraphy brush and sumi ink. It is important for one to focus in the moment, think about the meaning of the character, and try to express their vision through writing.

    Some were feeling comfortable to write sitting down, some were standing up to practice. I personally like standing when I’m writing calligraphy – it gives me more freedom to move arms and body freely, and transform the flow of physical movements into the written strokes.

    I was surprised to see how quickly everyone picked up on the brush skill, only within an hour.

    Thank you everyone participating, and for such a wonderful job.
    Hope to come back to Berlin again sometime soon!

    Photo credit:
    © Norman Posselt / Monotype

  • Linlow vol.2: Interactive Improvisational Performance of Calligraphy, Movement and Sound at Apartment Project Berlin

    Linlow vol.2: Interactive Improvisational Performance of Calligraphy, Movement and Sound at Apartment Project Berlin

    Sun 4.6.-17:00h

    Aoi Yamaguchi / Schneider TM / Mika Satomi / Özgür Erkök Moroder

    Interactive Improvisational Performance Of Calligraphy, Movement And Sound

    Apartment Project Berlin
    Hertzbergstraße 13
    12055 Berlin
    entrance : donation

    Aoi Yamaguchi performs a conceptual and interactive large-scale live calligraphy in collaboration with Berlin-based musician Schneider TM and e-textile artist Mika Satomi. This time, we have a new collaborator Özgür Erkök Moroder, who performs with his high-heels. During the 2 days of mini-residency at the apartment project, we will be experimenting with the boarder between traditional and avant-garde. The performance invites you to experience the art of Japanese calligraphy and to explore the connection between the body and the mind as Yamaguchi creates the physical representation of an idea with her brush, stroke by stroke.

    During the performance, the calligrapher’s movement is captured by sensors and translated into a signal that controls part of the instruments. Each motion of her brush is enhanced by sensors that augment Schneider TM’s composition adding a unique and powerful modulation and pulsation that entices the audience become part of the piece. Özgür Erkök Moroder contributes with his high heel (tak-topuk) performance.

    The collaborators are:
    Aoi Yamaguchi (Japanese Calligraphy)
    Schneider TM (Experimental Music)
    Özgur Erkök Moroder (Performance)
    Mika Satomi (Sensor embedded costume and Interactive system)


    http://berlin.apartmentproject.org/

  • Featured Interview in 99U

    Featured Interview in 99U

    99U Issue No.13 


    Feature on 99u.com

     

    99U is an editorial property by Behance & Adobe, based in New York City that tells the stories of leading creatives around the world about how they are mastering their crafts, building incredible careers, and shaping their industries. According to their vibrant website, 99U aims to “provide this “missing curriculum.” Through our Webby Award-winning website, popular events, and bestselling books, we share pragmatic, action-oriented insights from leading researchers and visionary creatives.”

    I’m excited and honored to be featured on 99U No.13 issue, both on printed magazine spanning 12 pages (!), and web magazine. It means a lot to share my life story as a Japanese calligraphy artist living and creating outside of her home country, and my passion to bridge cultures through my craft – the art of Japanese calligraphy. Please have a read if you have a moment.

    Thank you Matt McCue, Jacqueline Lara, Mark Brooks, and Margo Moritz for creating this wonderful feature, and letting me share my voice with the world.

    Read the interview:
    http://99u.com/articles/55325/aoi-yamaguchi-breaking-from-tradition

    Get the premium-edition printed magazine:
    http://99u.com/magazine
    Editor-in-Chief: Matt McCue
    Creative Director: Mark Brooks
    Interview by Jacqueline Lera
    Photo by Margo Moritz

     

  • “静と動 -Stillness and Motion-” on view at Daltile Design Showroom for Utah Street Art Walk San Francisco

    “静と動 -Stillness and Motion-” on view at Daltile Design Showroom for Utah Street Art Walk San Francisco

     

    静と動 -Stillness and Motion-, two of my recent “pillar” works for the themed exhibition 48 Pillars are installed and on exhibit at Daltile Showroom from May 19 – 29. Daltile is a stunning 10,000 sq ft showroom located in the Westside Design District on Utah Street in Potrero area.  Join us at the opening reception of the exhibit during the Utah Street Art Walk San Francisco on Tuesday, April 25th, 5-8pm. See you there!

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    SELECTIONS FROM 48 PILLARS @ Daltile/Mohawk Design Studio, Utah Street Art Walk
    This follow-up of “48 Pillars” at Arc Gallery presents selections from that exhibition in a stunning 10,000 sq ft showroom.

    Opening Reception: Tuesday, April 25th, 6PM
    Exhibition: April 18 – April 28, 2017

    @ Daltile/Mohawk Design Studio
    212 Utah Street San Francisco, CA 94103

    Fine wine & Hors D’Oeuvres will be served, 5pm – 8pm
    Non-Profit Beneficiary: Root Division

    Featured artists: Jason Avery, Elaine Coombs, Robin Denevan, Sara Dykstra, Kim Frohsin, Paul Gibson, Kay Kang, Bruce Katz, Katja Leibenath, Erika Meriaux, Annamarie Pabst, Silvia Poloto, Gail Ragains, Kirsten Tradowsky, Beth Waldman, Ealish Wilson, John Wood, Sandy Yagi, Aoi Yamaguchi.

    [symple_button url=”https://www.eventbrite.com/e/utah-street-art-walk-san-francisco-tickets-33505695437″ color=”grey” size=”default” border_radius=”3px” target=”self” rel=”” icon_left=”” icon_right=””]VIEW DETAILS & RSVP[/symple_button]

  • TALKS, WORKSHOPS, PERFORMANCE at TYPO BERLIN 2017

    TALKS, WORKSHOPS, PERFORMANCE at TYPO BERLIN 2017

    I’m excited to announce that I was invited as one of the guest speakers at TYPO Berlin 2017. TYPO Berlin is one of the most important creative conferences in the world, with around 1,500 participants, more than 60 speakers from all around the world giving lectures, workshops and panels on up to 5 stages, for 3 days at the most beautiful venue in Berlin, HKW – Haus of World Cultures. With the theme “wanderlust”, TYPO Berlin 2017 takes place from May 25th – 27th. I will be giving a talk, presenting a live performance and teaching two workshops during the conference.


    Talk
    Thursday, 25 May 2017, 18:00 | place: Hall

    Sho Ha Hito Nari: Brushes, strokes and a reflection of self
    In Japanese culture, the art of calligraphy is not only the expertly painted characters; it is the spiritual journey of the calligrapher to infuse herself in the work and see herself reflected back.  Using her works to illustrate this concept, Aoi Yamaguchi will explore this duality between the visual representation of her art and the constant search for self through the brush strokes.

    Performance
    Thursday, 25 May 2017, 21:00 | place: Hall

    LINLOW: Towards Transcendence
    Interactive Calligraphy & Sound Performance 

    with Schneider TM & Mika Satomi

    Aoi Yamaguchi performs a conceptual and interactive large-scale live calligraphy in collaboration with Berlin-based musician Schneider TM and e-textile artist Mika Satomi, inspired by the TYPO Berlin 2017’s theme “Wanderlust”.

    Calligraphy is a unique art form; it deconstructs and transforms existing linguistic conventions through the calligrapher’s brush. The calligrapher infuses the character with her interpretation of the idea which makes each performance unique. The performance invites you to experience the art of Japanese calligraphy and to explore the connection between the body and the mind as Yamaguchi creates the physical representation of an idea with her brush, stroke by stroke.

    During the performance, the calligrapher’s movement is captured by sensors and translated into a signal that controls part of the instruments. Each motion of her brush is enhanced by sensors that augment Schneider TM’s composition adding a unique and powerful modulation and pulsation that entices the audience become part of the piece.

    ** 琳瑯 (Linlow) is an old Japanese word, meaning:

    1. Beautiful gem stones, beautiful poems, poetry
    2. The beautiful sound made by beautiful gemstones touching each other.

    琳瑯 is cited from one of my favorite authors Soseki Natsume, as he’s written in his book Kusamakura, in quote:「芸術家は無数の琳琅を見、無上の宝璐 (ほうろ) を知る」”Artists sees the countless beautiful poems (literatures / compositions) and knows the greatest treasure”.


    [symple_button url=”https://www.typotalks.com/berlin/2017/schedule/talk/?tid=39816&et=TYPO%20Berlin%202017″ color=”grey” size=”default” border_radius=”3px” target=”self” rel=”” icon_left=”” icon_right=””]MORE ABOUT PERFORMANCE[/symple_button]

     

    Workshops
    Friday, 26 May 2017, 15:00 – 17:00 | place: Foyer
    Saturday, 27 May 2017, 15:00 – 17:00 | place: Foyer

    [symple_button url=”http://www.typotalks.com/berlin/” color=”grey” size=”default” border_radius=”3px” target=”blank” rel=”” icon_left=”” icon_right=””]TYPO BERLIN 2017 OFFICIAL SITE[/symple_button]
    [symple_button url=”http://www.typotalks.com/berlin/2017/schedule/” color=”grey” size=”medium” border_radius=”3px” target=”blank” rel=”” icon_left=”” icon_right=””]VIEW SCHEDULE[/symple_button][symple_button url=”http://www.wpexplorer.com/symple-shortcodes/” color=”grey” size=”default” border_radius=”3px” target=”blank” rel=”” icon_left=”” icon_right=””]VIEW SPEAKERS[/symple_button]

    Looking forward to seeing you all in Berlin!