AOI YAMAGUCHI CALLIGRAPHY

Category: Art Shows

  • LIVE CALLIGRAPHY PERFORMANCE WITH CHAMBER MUSIC AT NIPPON KOBO IN SAN FRANCISCO

    LIVE CALLIGRAPHY PERFORMANCE WITH CHAMBER MUSIC AT NIPPON KOBO IN SAN FRANCISCO

    [vc_row][vc_column][rs_image_block align=”align-center” image_link=”yes” image=”8566″ link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nipponkobo.org%2F”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][rs_special_text]LIVE CALLIGRAPHY PERFORMANCE WITH CHAMBER MUSIC FOR NIPPON KOBO IN SAN FRANCISCO[/rs_special_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I’m excited to announce my upcoming performance at Nippon Kobo in collaboration with chamber music, original composition by Hiroya Miura, at Gray Area Grand Theater in San Francisco on November 2nd, 2025.

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    Nippon Kobo Vol.2 ~ Ma (間): The Space Between All Things ~

    From Grammy Award-winning Silkroad Ensemble associate artistic director Haruka Fujii and Academy Award-nominated animator Dice Tsutsumi comes Nippon Kobo, an immersive cultural experience of contemporary Japanese music and culture. Join us at our second season opening event: an evening of chamber music and calligraphy with a program centered around the theme of Ma, the Japanese aesthetic of space between all things.

    After a successful inaugural year 2024-2025 full of creativity, conversation, and smiles over three sold-out events, Nippon Kobo is excited to announce Nippon Kobo Vol.2: Ma ~ Space between all things ~, the flagship event opening Nippon Kobo’s second performing arts season on November 2nd, 2025. This event will showcase a chamber music program by Japanese composers, real-time calligraphy performance by Aoi Yamaguchi, and a special talk by Myriam Sas – (Professor of Comparative Literature and Film & Media at the University of California, Berkeley). The program also spotlights the world premiere performance of a new work by Hiroya Miura for chamber ensemble and calligrapher. Along with leading Japanese artists, local musicians, creators, and entrepreneurs, we look forward to sharing the Japanese aesthetic of Ma.

    Nippon Kobo was founded by a small group of passionate, award-winning artists from the San Francisco Bay Area who believe that in-person artistic and cultural collaborations are vital to a healthy community. Nippon Kobo is an event series that brings together diverse artists, creators, entrepreneurs, and the local community through collaborations that combine chamber music with contemporary Japanese culture, including art and food. The organization’s mission is to build a new community where people meet, learn, and experience cross-cultural dialogue through curated music concerts paired with contemporary Japanese art and culture.

     

    Nippon Kobo Vol.2 ~ Ma (間): The Space Between All Things ~
    Chamber Music + Calligraphy

    Sunday, November 2nd, 2025
    4:00pm – 6:30pm

    Grey Area Grand Theater
    2665 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110, map

    General Admission: $65 including selected beverage tasting
    VIP Admission: $100 reserved front table seating, including selected beverage tasting

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  • Solo Exhibition 「墨と心象」Sumi: Inner Landscapes at Hugomento in San Francisco opening on November 12, 2022

    Solo Exhibition 「墨と心象」Sumi: Inner Landscapes at Hugomento in San Francisco opening on November 12, 2022

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    山口碧生 個展 | Aoi Yamaguchi Solo Exhibition

    「墨と心象」 Sumi: Inner Landscapes

    Contemporary Japanese Calligraphy and Bokushō Expressions

    I am excited to announce my upcoming solo exhibition at hugomento in San Francisco, on view from November 12 until the end of the year. I will be showing selected artworks from various conceptual series exploring abstract expressions using the mixture of Tanboku (淡墨) and Noboku (濃墨) that I have been working on in the past decade. I hope this exhibition brings you new discoveries in witnessing the possibilities of Sumi ink, and feel the music and poetry in its dramatic expressions. I will be present at the opening reception on Saturday, November 12 from 3pm-6pm. Please RSVP from the link below. I look forward to seeing you there!


    Opening Reception: November 12, 2022, 3-6pm
    Exhibition: November 12 – December 31,  2022

    Link to RSVP

    Through endless experimentation, Aoi Yamaguchi explores the depth of the shades and expressive effects that sumi ink can create in the monochromatic linguistic landscape.

    The chemistry between tanboku (淡墨: light-colored sumi ink) and Japanese gasen paper is sublime. From the moment the ink touches the paper, the ink fuses with paper and ripples out, as if the ink is alive and paper is breathing. With the right balance of water and sumi written in an unbroken motion through a brush, on a delicate and velvet-like surface of gasen paper, clear brush stroke edges emerge as the water evaporates, within an aura-like blurred edges that continues to expand. Utilizing the lightness and fluidity of tanboku combined with various traditional suiboku-ga techniques and brushworks, the artist expresses her interpretation of the character or words from her self-composed poems through her abstract calligraphic paintings.

    This exhibition showcases her selected artworks from the past 7 years exploring the world of tanboku (淡墨), in the form of bokushō (墨象), also known as zen-ei shodo (前衛書道), the art of abstract expressionism through the medium of Japanese calligraphy, including selected pieces from the series Momentum: Movements in Nature, 陰翳 IN-EI: Resonance of Shadows, and TWELVE 十二の記憶: Ode to Piano Classics.

    reincarnation-artwork
    輪廻転生 Reincarnation, 2017, Sumi ink, Gasenshi paper

    presented by

    h u g o m e n t o
    795 22nd Street,
    San Francisco, CA 94107
    hugo@hugomento.com
    hugomento.com
    +14155057609

    Hours:
    Wed – Fri, 1-6 pm
    Sat – Sun, 1-5 pm
    and by appointment

    hugomento is a boutique art gallery in Dogpatch, San Francisco owned and curated by Hugo Lai. Whether you’re looking for one-of-a-kind handcrafted ceramic art, a unique and original print, painting, sculpture, or other objet d’art, or simply want to experience one of the city’s most soulful small galleries, Hugomento is a must visit. Current artists include Mitch Iburg, Janet Jones, Marco Minetti, Blaise Rosenthal, Aoi Yamaguchi, Justin Zielke, among others.

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  • Immersive & Interactive Installation at Artechouse, Washington DC

    Immersive & Interactive Installation at Artechouse, Washington DC

    Long-awaited Spring has come! This March, my calligraphy is going to be part of the Immersive & interactive digital art installation titled “SAKURA YUME” (Cherry Blossom Dream) at Artechouse, the first innovative art space in Washington DC. Artechouse created this new immersive & interactive art piece in collaboration with NOIRFLUX, StoryLab Inc., Nathan Solomon, Big Bright Monster, as part of the Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival. I’m excited to be part of and see how my calligraphy is going to play a role in this dreamy, immersive experience. Premiere on March 15th.

    SAKURA YUME / CHERRY BLOSSOM DREAM
    Immersive & Interactive Art
    Exhibition: March 15 – May 6+
    Daily 10am – 10pm
    Tickets: $8-15 for All Ages

    ARTECHOUSE
    1238 Maryland Ave AW, Washington, DC 20024
    artechouse.com

  • 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

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    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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  • 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/

  • “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.

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  • 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”.


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    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]
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    Looking forward to seeing you all in Berlin!

  • “書韻 SHOINN” Project at Les Moulins de Paillard Pt.1

    “書韻 SHOINN” Project at Les Moulins de Paillard Pt.1

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    In October 2016, I had an opportunity to go on an art residency in countryside of France for a collaboration performance project with Mika Satomi, a Berlin-based e-textile artist, and Corey Fuller, a Tokyo-based sound artist. We worked on creating and developing a collaborative, improvisational performance which Japanese calligraphy, e-textile and sound art come together.

    This project was something I’ve been dreaming of for a long time. Mika and I met at an event in Berlin through a friend of ours, Joreg, the founder of the visual/textural live-programming environment vvvv. I felt that our encounter was meant-to-be, and it didn’t take so long until this idea of collaboration sparked in our conversation, and this residency opportunity came true. The team, Corey from Tokyo, Mika from Berlin, and I from San Francisco got together at Les Moulins de Paillard Contemporary Arts Centre in Poncé-sur-le-Loir.

    Poncé-sur-le-Loir, a village in the region of Pays-de-la-Loire in north-western France. (On 1 January 2017, it was merged into the new commune Loir en Vallée. ) It’s a small old village with full of characters. The village is also known for its wineries.

    Entryway to the Les Moulins de Paillard; autumn leaves were falling, creating a colorful carpet on the ground. These charming roosters woke us up like alarm clock every morning.

    When we arrived at Paillard at almost 10pm on October 17th, it was completely dark that we could not see the surroundings. There was the moonlight and a few other dim street light, very quiet. We had to crawl in the air to find the entrance to the place where we are staying. Next morning, I woke up to the quiet, beautiful misty air. There is a river running through the Paillard, which made this area special – Les Moulins de Paillard is a former paper mill in the 18th century. The main building houses countless rooms inside still with the empty concrete tubs and kilns, where now are used as contemporary art residency studios, performance art theater and art gallery.

    I loved the misty mornings at Paillard. Air is so fresh, the sound of the river is calming. At the end of October, it gets very cold in this area.

    Everyday we cooked breakfasts, lunch and dinners together in the kitchen and dining area in the main theater building. There was a small bakery in town where we could get freshly baked croissant and French baguette. With no heater, it was shivering cold inside, but our conversations and laughter kept us warm.

    Brainstorming the ideas…

    On day 2, the local music studio let us borrow their amazing speakers and sound system (thank you Shelly & James for arranging everything!). As we slowly set things up, the sky cleared up and a pleasant light came through the windows in the theater. We had this theater all to ourselves as studio for 10 days, how amazing.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text align=”center”]paillard_theater_with_piano _photo by Aoi Yamaguchi

     

    Mika_work in progress_ photo by Corey Fuller

    Aoi & Farid preparing the paper _ photo by Corey Fuller

    From the day 3, assistant Farid joined us. Farid is an art university student living in Le Mans, and he came to help our project at Paillard only during this residency period for his experience.

    Mika at work _ photo by Corey Fuller

    Mika focused on making my costume with embedded sensors.

    Corey's Sound Setup - photo by Corey Fuller

    Corey's Sound Setup _ photo by Corey Fuller

    This is where Corey makes his magic. Everything was beautifully set up.

    Mika costume work in progress _ photo by Corey Fuller

    Aoi's calligraphy brushes _ photo by Corey Fuller

    Costume fitting & tests _ photo by Corey Fuller

    Costume fitting and tests — we were so excited to see the linkage of the technologies and the sound in action.

    Aoi's calligraphy brush with Mika's motion sensor _ photo by Corey Fuller

    (Photos by Corey Fuller)

    My calligraphy brush with a motion sensor attached to the top of the arm by Mika and Hannah (another half of Kobakant, Mika’s e-textile unit) .

    Rehearsals in the golden sunset light

    Corey’s piano gracefully resonated in this theater space. Surrounded by lots of inspirations in this beautiful environment, I composed a poem for the performance. It usually takes days, sometimes weeks to complete a poem for the performance pieces – but this day, on the 5th day of the residency, all words in my notebook just fell into the right place and everything came together.

    The first piece of the three performances was going to be with a sensor on the brush, writing on a long piece of Japanese paper coming out of the piano. We rehearsed in the golden sunset light…

    Final rehearsal in the evening

    The last performance of the three was improvised with a breathing sensor around my chest and muscle sensors on my elbows and knees, which signals controlling the intensity of the light bulbs. The dynamic movement of my calligraphy writing was translated into light and sound through a sensor embedded costume. The soundscape was composed of acoustic piano and a modular synthesizer system which receive signals generated by my physical movements and are translated into sound.

    See our performance at Les Moulins de Paillard on October 23rd, 2016 here.

    Costume details: breathing sensor _ photo by Corey Fuller

    Breathing sensor details.

    Costume details: Breathing Sensor _ Photo by Corey Fuller

    E-textile Costume Details: Breathing Sensors and Arm Muscle Sensors _ photo by Corey Fuller

    E-textile Costume Details: Arm Muscle Sensor _ photo by Corey Fuller

    Arm muscle sensor details.

    E-textile costume details: Sensors _ photo by Corey Fuller

    "鼕燈響" - after the performance _ photo by Corey Fuller

    (photos by Corey Fuller)

     

    “鼕燈響”

    the sound of bells and drums

    a light of life

    in resonance

     

    "鼕燈響" with Corey, Aoi and Mika - team 書韻

    (Corey on the left, Aoi in center, Mika on the right)

    Stay tuned for our upcoming performances!

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  • “静と動 -Stillness and Motion-” for 48 PILLARS

    “静と動 -Stillness and Motion-” for 48 PILLARS


    I’ll be showing my new calligraphy art pieces, “静と動 – Stillness and Motion-“, created for a “structural constraint” group exhibition titled “48 PILLARS” featuring 24 artists held at Arc Gallery; opening reception is next Saturday March 11th from 7pm.

    Japanese Calligraphy is a unique art form in that it seeks to deconstruct, rearrange and infuse existing linguistic elements into a a physical expression of an idea.

    My idea was to work on a set of words that with contrasting meanings but whose vertically-shaped characters compliment each other and the rectangular panels that house them.  Choosing characters with this shape allows me to focus the energy of the composition from the top of the panel to the bottom and beyond.  Traditionally, Japanese reads from right to left: from the right “静 (Stillness)”, and to the left “動 (Motion)”.

    The chemistry between tanboku (light-colored sumi ink) and Japanese gasen paper is vivid and magical. From the moment the ink touches the paper, the ink fuses with paper and ripples out. With the right balance of water and sumi written in an unbroken motion, clear brush stroke edges emerge as the water evaporates. I chose warm black sumi to work on this piece, which, when mixed with the right amount of water, leaves behind hues of gray that illuminate the distinction between light and shadow.

    Stillness is clear, graceful and light; Motion is blurred, dynamic and bold. Together, it completes the world of light and shadow, and neither exists without the other.

    _

    48 PILLARS
    Opening Reception:
    Saturday, March 11th, 7-9PM

    Artists Talk and Closing Reception:
    Saturday, April 15th, 12-3PM

    Arc Gallery
    1246 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA

    “24 local Bay Area artists will produce two pieces each on these identically sized panels that will exactly ring the gallery – 48 works total.

    This is the second exhibition at Arc Gallery that is essentially a “structural constraint” show. The other exhibition is our iconic annual, end of summer exhibition, FourSquared. In both exhibitions, the artists are unconstrained in subject matter except to the extent that works need to be a series; but they are constrained in format. It should be visually stunning. ”

    – Michael Yochum, Curator

     

    Featured artists: Jason Avery, Lexie Bouwsma, Elaine Coombs, Robin Denevan, Sara Dykstra, Kim Frohsin, Paul Gibson, Christine Aria Hostetler & Joel Daniel Phillips, Kay Kang, Bruce Katz, Joshua Young Lee, Katja Leibenath, Saundra Mcpherson, Erika Meriaux, Annamarie Pabst, Silvia Poloto, Gail Ragains, Rachel Sager, Kirsten Tradowsky, Beth Davila Waldman, Ealish Wilson, John Wood, Sandra Yagi, Aoi Yamaguchi.

    Invite your friends

  • Live Calligraphy Performance at BAMPFA on Oct 15th

    Live Calligraphy Performance at BAMPFA on Oct 15th

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    BAMPFA - Breath

    I’m excited to announce my upcoming large-scale live calligraphy performance at Berkeley Art Museum Pacific Film Archive on Oct 15th, themed in “Breath“. FULL is a series of varied performances at BAMPFA celebrating every full moon cycle. Curated by Shinichi lova-Koga, various artists performing contemplating the theme “breath” in celebration of full moon.

    This performance is designed site-specific to the newly renovated, stunning structure of the atrium in the museum. I’d like to present a multi-layered large-scale Japanese calligraphy performance, accompanied by sublime sounds composed by a Tokyo-based sound artist Corey Fuller (ILLUHA/ 12K). This 23-minutes sound journey is Fuller’s artistic interpretation of my calligraphic movements, resonance of shadows; and this will be the first time presenting to the public.

    Supported by numbers of talented spirits, featuring assistant performers Yang Yang, Yawen Zou, Ziyu Zhou, and Chelsea Ortiz; ink vase installation in collaboration with Studio Sen; team Awakening Moon: Aprille Tang, Zon Chu, Andrej Hronco and Yukina Yamamoto. Hair & make in collaboration with Aki Masuoka, Yui Yamaguchi. 

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    Full: Breath

    Programmed by Shinichi Iova-Koga

    An evening of varied performances celebrating and contemplating breath. You will experience the unique sounds of shakuhachivirtuoso Masayuki Koga, the live calligraphy painting of Aoi Yamaguchi, the solo dance artistry of Dana Iova-Koga, and haunting music from Oakland-based duo Ghost Lore. Plus explore the exhibition galleries and discover simultaneous performances throughout the building.

    Guest programmer Shinichi Iova-Koga teaches dance composition at Mills College and is the artistic director of the San Francisco-based performance company inkBoat.

    Saturday, October 15. 2016 | 7 PM
    BAMPFA (Berkeley Art Museum Pacific Film Archive)
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