Category: Events

  • Sho to Wagashi: COSMOS x Morimoto Napa, Marriage of Japanese Cuisine, Calligraphy and Confectionery

    Sho to Wagashi: COSMOS x Morimoto Napa, Marriage of Japanese Cuisine, Calligraphy and Confectionery

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    書と和菓子

    Sho to Wagashi: COSMOS x Morimoto Napa
    COSMOS – FIVE ELEMENTS –

    Marriage of Japanese Cuisine, Calligraphy and Japanese Confectionery Demonstration & Tasting 

     

    For the second series of Sho to Wagashi: COSMOS, we are collaborating with Morimoto Napa, an inventive, high-end Japanese restaurant owned by Chef Masaharu Morimoto. He is known to millions as star Iron Chef and Iron Chef America, has garnered critical and popular acclaim for his seamless integration of Western and Japanese ingredients, bringing intense excitement, exquisite technique, and perfectly balanced flavors to thousands of diners throughout the world. 

    Inspired by Yin-Yang and Five Elements: 木火土金水 (Mok-Ka-Doe-Gon-Sui:Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water), Japanese calligraphy artist Aoi Yamaguchi and Tokyo-based Japanese traditional confectionery wagashi chef Shiho Sakamoto collaborate with Morimoto Napa to create unique visual and edible art.  

    For the first part of the evening, guests will be served five courses of savory appetizers selected by the chef. For the second half of the evening, Yamaguchi and Sakamoto will treat you to five courses  – one inspired by each element of the five elements  – of wagashidelicately served on contemporary Japanese calligraphy. 

    Sakamoto will demonstrate how wagashi is created and as you enjoy wagashi, served with flavorful green tea, you will learn the artists’ poetic process of transforming inspiration into art.  With Japanese traditional aesthetics and wabi-sabi culture, the artists realize their vision through a multi-sensory experience inviting you to celebrate nature’s blessings as represented by the Five Elements; in essence, the entire cosmos. 


    Presented by
    Morimoto Napa
    Aoi Yamaguchi, Japanese Calligraphy “Sho (書)” Artist
    Shiho Sakamoto, Japanese Traditional Confectionery “Wagashi (和菓子)” Artist


    DATE

    Sunday August 14, 2016 6pm-9pm
    3 hours / Limited to 15 guests

    5 course custom menu presented by Morimoto Napa
    5 course Japanese calligraphy & wagashi presented by Aoi Yamaguchi & Shiho Sakamoto

    SOUVENIR
    You can take each small limited edition hand-printed calligraphy artworks home with you as a unique keepsake from the event.
    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][symple_button url=”https://sho_wagashi_cosmos_morimotonapa.eventbrite.com” title=”RESERVE YOUR SEATS” color=”grey” size=”medium” target=”blank”]RESERVE YOUR SETS[/symple_button][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][symple_heading title=”COLLABORATOR”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column align=”left” width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]shiho2_w300[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column align=”left” width=”3/4″][vc_column_text align=”left”]Japanese confectioner, wagashi, Sakamoto creates and supervises made-to-order Japanese confectionery for special tea ceremonies such as tie-up with the movie “Ask This of Rikyu (Rikyu ni Tazuneyo)” in 2013, a special tea ceremony for the opening COREDO Muromachi department store in Tokyo in 2014, and the tea ceremony for Japanese popular manga “Hyouge Mono” in 2014. She actively holds workshops in Japan and abroad. She joined “World Tea Forum” in Korea as a representative of Japanese confectionery chef in 2015, and also gave a demonstration how to make Japanese wagashi at Salone del Mobile, Milano in 2016. Sakamoto engages in creating wagashi for the tea ceremony hosted by Mrs. Akie Abe, the wife of the current Prime Minister of Japan.

    Official Facebook page:紫をん(Shiwon)https://www.facebook.com/wagashi.shiwon
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shiwon.wagashi/[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Sho to Wagashi: COSMOS @ Turtle & Hare, Oakland – Marriage of Japanese Calligraphy and Confectionery

    Sho to Wagashi: COSMOS @ Turtle & Hare, Oakland – Marriage of Japanese Calligraphy and Confectionery

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]cosmos_logoI’m excited to announce my new collaborative project titled “Sho to Wagashi: COSMOS”, which aims to fuse the art of Japanese calligraphy and Japanese confectionery, wagashi. My partner in crime is Shiho Sakamoto, known as Shiwon, hailing from Tokyo to San Francisco this August, and we’re planning a few events in cities in Bay Area together which we’d like you to join us.

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    書と和菓子

    Sho to Wagashi: COSMOS
    – FIVE ELEMENTS –

    Marriage of Japanese Calligraphy and Japanese Confectionery Demonstration & Tasting 


    Japanese calligraphy artist Aoi Yamaguchi and Tokyo-based Japanese traditional confectionery wagashi chef Shiho Sakamoto collaborate to create unique visual and edible art forms.  Inspired by Yin-Yang and Five Elements:
    木火土金水 (Mok-Ka-Doe-Gon-SuiWood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water), Yamaguchi and Sakamoto will treat you to five courses ofwagashi delicately served on contemporary Japanese calligraphy, personalized to each element.  Grounded by Japanese traditional aesthetics and wabi-sabi culture, the artists realize their vision through a multi-sensory experience inviting you to celebrate nature’s blessings as represented by the Five Elements which compose the entire cosmos.

    This special event is held at Turtle & Hare, a retail showroom showcasing Furniture and Contemporary Craft from Local and Japanese designers & craftsmen.

    Presented by

    Aoi Yamaguchi, Japanese Calligraphy “Sho (書)” Artist
    Shiho Sakamoto, Japanese Traditional Confectionery “Wagashi (和菓子)” Artist

    In collaboration with
    Turtle & Hare

    DATE

    Saturday August 13, 2016
    Afternoon Session: 12:00pm – 2:00pm
    Evening Session: 4:00pm – 6:00pm

    DURATION

    2 hours per session / Limited to 15 guests per session
    – Wagashi making demonstration followed by tasting, served with Japanese green tea
    – Presented with limited edition Japanese calligraphy artworks personalized to each element

    LOCATION

    Turtle & Hare
    478 25th Street Studio A
    Oakland, CA 94612
    http://www.turtleandhare.net/


    TICKETS / ADMISSION
    $75

    SOUVENIR
    You can take each limited edition hand-printed calligraphy artworks home with you as a unique keepsake from the event.

     [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][symple_button url=”https://sho_wagashi_cosmos_turtleandhare.eventbrite.com” title=”SIGN-UP FOR THE EVENT” color=”grey” size=”medium” target=”blank”]SIGN-UP FOR THE EVENT[/symple_button][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][symple_heading title=”COLLABORATOR”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]shiho2_w300[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Japanese confectioner, wagashi, Sakamoto creates and supervises made-to-order Japanese confectionery for special tea ceremonies such as tie-up with the movie “Ask This of Rikyu (Rikyu ni Tazuneyo)” in 2013, a special tea ceremony for the opening COREDO Muromachi department store in Tokyo in 2014, and the tea ceremony for Japanese popular manga “Hyouge Mono” in 2014. She actively holds workshops in Japan and abroad. She joined “World Tea Forum” in Korea as a representative of Japanese confectionery chef in 2015, and also gave a demonstration how to make Japanese wagashi at Salone del Mobile, Milano in 2016. Sakamoto engages in creating wagashi for the tea ceremony hosted by Mrs. Akie Abe, the wife of the current Prime Minister of Japan.

    Official Facebook page:紫をん(Shiwon)https://www.facebook.com/wagashi.shiwon
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shiwon.wagashi/[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Summer 2016 Japanese Calligraphy Group Lessons for Beginners “礎” Schedule Announced!

    Summer 2016 Japanese Calligraphy Group Lessons for Beginners “礎” Schedule Announced!

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    Summer season’s Japanese calligraphy lessons for adult beginners “礎 (ishizue)” is now open for registration! As summer season is busy time, we have three lesson schedule dates to choose from, from July to August. Thursday evenings are added to the schedule, for those who prefer to come enjoy Japanese calligraphy after work during the weekdays.

    Looking forward to having you in my atelier!

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  • Spring 2016 Japanese Calligraphy Workshops for Beginners “礎” Dates Announced: Starts April 9

    Spring 2016 Japanese Calligraphy Workshops for Beginners “礎” Dates Announced: Starts April 9

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    Spring is here! There’s something about the Springtime that makes us feel so fresh and inspired to begin anew. I love this feeling. I’m happy to announce that a series of Japanese calligraphy workshops here at Atelier Towa in Berkeley is now open for registration, waiting for you to participate.

    (ishizue) means “base / foundation” in Japanese: At this hands-on workshop, you will learn and practice basic Japanese calligraphy skills, meditative calligraphy process and finding the balance between the mind and body. We will go over the basics: how to hold the brush and control the brush, posture, how to take care of tools and materials, various kinds of Japanese gasen paper and sumi inks. During the workshop, you will be introduced to the fundamental Japanese calligraphy techniques, and you will be practicing and making your own calligraphy artwork.

    The first session is scheduled on Saturday April 9th, 11am – 2pm; there are 5 sessions total spanning until June 4th to cover the fundamentals for this Spring program. You’re welcome to take one session to see how you’d like it. It’s going to be a very small group, nice and cozy. If you are interested, check out more details and dates by clicking below:

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    Looking forward to having you at Atelier Towa!

  • “New Traditions: Buhay x Sei” at Asian Art Museum

    “New Traditions: Buhay x Sei” at Asian Art Museum

    “It’s Golden!” — San Francisco Asian Art Museum is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. On the first weekend of March, Saturday March 5th and Sunday March 6th, 2016, I was invited to perform live calligraphy, give a presentation and have a studio talk at San Francisco Asian Art Museum. Titled as “New Traditions: Buhay x Sei.” I performed large-scale live calligraphy in collaboration with Kristain Kabuay, a Baybayin (an ancient Philippine script) artist, with live music that represent our traditional culture and own rhythm.

    “Buhay,” in Tagalog and “sei” in Japanese mean “life” and “breath of life.” Inspired by the springtime and celebrating the Asian Art Museum’s 50th birthday, the theme for this performance evokes a positive, uplifting energy, the spirit of awakening from hibernation after a long winter.

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    My large Japanese calligraphy brush, resting before the big moment… 

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    Setting up, having a quiet moment before the opening:
    My large-scale Japanese calligraphy paper for the performance is laid out on the floor in the North Court of the museum.

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    Meditation..

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    My collaborators, Aleo Mok & Galen Rogers of Jiten Daiko

    My performance was accompanied by talented young Japanese taiko drummers, Galen Rogers and Aleo Mok of Jiten Daiko.  Starting with ambient sound by scratching the surface of the taiko drum, they transformed the liveliness in the North Court into a small cosmos — everyone held his/her breath, slowly invited to the rising energy with dynamic crescendo of the drum beats.  Together, it was a collaborative performance to artistically express 生 “life” in both calligraphy writing and sound.  They were so in sync with the rhythm of my calligraphic movements, and I loved holding brush surrounded by their drumming, that sounded like the heartbeat of the character I was writing.

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    The first stroke.

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    “生 – Life” 

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    Writing in unison with Kristian Kabuay 

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    Thank you so much for those who made it to our two-days live calligraphy performances & presentations. I’ve never seen North Court of the museum so packed, great energies. It was really exciting to perform to dynamic drum beats by Galen Rogers & Aleo Mok of Jiten Daiko, it was transcending. Thank you all for such an inspiring day.

    Happy 50th birthday AAM, hope to come back again!


    Collaborators: 

    Japanese Taiko Drums: Galen Rogers & Aleo Mok
    Baybayin Calligraphy: Kristian Kabuay
    Klingtang: Kulintronica (on 5th) & Titania Buchholdt (on 6th)

  • Live Calligraphy Performance + Presentation + Studio Talk at Asian Art Museum

    Live Calligraphy Performance + Presentation + Studio Talk at Asian Art Museum

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    Tomorrow & Sunday, I’ll be back at San Francisco Asian Art Museum for a large-scale live calligraphy performance, accompanied by Japanese taiko drummers Galen Rogers & Aleo Mok of Jiten Daiko, slide presentation and open studio talk + Q&A, 12pm-4pm.

    Our event, titled “New Traditions: Buhay x Sei“, is in collaboration with Baybayin calligraphy artist Kristian Kabuay, who’ll also be demonstrating Baybayin calligraphy accompanied by Filipino musicians. Our performance begins from 12 noon both days in North Court inside of the museum!

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    I’m excited to be part of the Asian Art Museum’s 50th Golden Anniversary events (yes, long history!), and share my knowledge, skills and experiences with the community in San Francisco Bay Area. FREE ADMISSION ALL WEEKEND! 
    Can’t wait to see you all there!

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    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column align=”” class_type=”md” width=”2/3″ animation=”” animation_delay=”” animation_duration=””][vc_column_text]New Traditions: Buhay x Sei – Aoi Yamaguchi/Kristian Kabuay calligraphy demonstration, lecture and workshop
    Saturday March 5th & Sunday March 6th, 2016
    12–4 PM, North Court
    Free Admission

    “Buhay” in Tagalog and “sei” in Japanese mean “life” and “breath of life.” Inspired by the springtime and celebrating the Asian Art Museum’s 50th birthday, the theme for this performance evokes a positive, uplifting energy, the spirit of awakening from hibernation after a long winter.

    12–1 PM Performance
    1–1:45 PM Presentations and Q&A
    1:45–2:15 PM Break
    2:15–4 PM Open studio, table presentation

    Asian Art Museum
    200 Larkin St.
    San Francisco, CA 94102
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  • Solo Exhibition & Live Performances in Japan “陰翳 IN-EI: The Resonance of Shadows”

    Solo Exhibition & Live Performances in Japan “陰翳 IN-EI: The Resonance of Shadows”

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    I’m proud to announce that my solo exhibition, titled “陰翳 IN-EI: The Resonance of Shadows”, is opening on Friday, February 19th at Cross Hotel Sapporo, Hokkaido.  All artworks for this exhibition are new series of works written in my atelier in Berkeley, California.  During the opening reception, I’ll be performing live calligraphy in collaboration with Corey Fuller (12k, Illuha), a Tokyo-based musician and multimedia artist. The exhibition runs for two months, from February 20th – April 30th.

    The theme is “IN-EI: The Resonance of Shadows”:  陰翳 (in-ei)” in Japanese is defined as “shadows”, as well as “a sense of beauty that we capture in shadows and nuances in colors, sound, and emotions”. I find this In-ei in calligraphy — I feel drawn to the world of black and white, light and shadow — it’s visually simple and minimal, but its world depicted is infinite.

    As we see in Japanese words like “侘び寂び Wabi-sabi” or “もののあはれ Monono-aware,” “陰翳 In-ei” also cherishes the beauty of simplicity and evanescence in our ordinary lives. In the darkness, we see the presence of light. The light makes our lives possible: we see shapes in the world because of shadows. Thus the shadows shape our lives, and it could disappear at any moment by the absence of light. In the dull shadows, we find silence — where our senses calm, time has slowed, you will find your inner ’self’ in that very moment in a space, which is only limited by your mind.  This sensibility is the foundation of Japanese traditional aesthetics, and it makes what we see, hear and feel more meaningful and flavorful. I have written a poetry about my own imagery of In-ei, and painted conceptual calligraphy artworks inspired by these words, trying to find my own In-ei in my artistic expressions…which you will see on the walls in this exhibition.

    For the conceptual calligraphy performance for the opening reception, I have invited Corey Fuller, one of the musicians I admire and respect to collaborate with me for this special occasion. Corey’s beautiful sound resonates with my inner spirit… and sparks imagination. I’m very excited to share the moment together to create a live performance piece.

    As a pre-event, I’ll be also performing live calligraphy in collaboration with Corey Fuller at Ice Hills Hotel in Tobetsu, Hokkaido on Thursday February 18th. We are going to be part of this Cross Generation, Cross Hotel’s regular DJ event featuring resident DJs and eclectic musicians. There will be a chartered bus from Cross Hotel, and it takes about an hour to get there – with amazing view of snow-covered landscape of Ishikari. I just visited Ice Hills Hotel, it was just beautiful, and warmer than I imagined! 🙂 It’s going to be inspiring and intimate experience, art and music in nature.  Limited tickets available.

    Come visit snowy Hokkaido and say hello!
    Looking forward to see your lovely face there.

    Hours / Venue / More details below.

     

    『陰翳 IN-EI: The Resonance of Shadows』と題し、クロスホテル札幌の二階ロビー&meet Loungeにて、個展を開催します。
    2月19日(金)の夜には、オープニングレセプションパーティが開催され、東京在住のミュージシャン・マルチメディアアーティスト、コリー・フラー氏(12K / Illuha) とコラボレートしライブ揮毫パフォーマンスを披露します。コリーの奏でる、陰翳を感じる美しい音の世界とともに、「陰翳」をテーマに言葉に起こした、自詠の詩の世界を描きます。展示は2月20日 ~ 4月30日までの二ヶ月間となります。

    そのプレ・イベントとして、前夜の2月18日(木)には、マイナス零度以下の当別町のアイスヒルズホテルにて、氷と雪で創られた空間の中で、コリーのライブ演奏と共にライブ揮毫パフォーマンスを披露します。

    テーマは『陰翳』。
    この言葉は、私の中で不思議な響きを持つ言葉です。『陰翳』には、「影」(単純に英語に訳すと、”shadows”)という意味のほかに、「色、音、感情に微妙な変化があり趣が深いこと」の意味があります。この『陰翳』の中に美しさを捉える感覚というのが、私が白と黒、光と影の世界で表現される「書」に魅力を感じる一つの理由であり、古くから伝わる日本の伝統芸術文化の礎となる美的要素なのではないかと思います。今回は、現代に生きる私にとっての『陰翳』、ふとした日常の瞬間に感じる『陰翳』を、淡墨と紙の持つ生き物のような生命力を生かし、書で表現しました。

    真っ白な雪景色の広がる、真冬の生まれ故郷北海道で、こうして個展とパフォーマンスを開催できることを嬉しく思います。クロスホテル札幌&クラークギャラリー+SHIFTよりこのお話をいただいた昨年からこつこつと、バークレーのアトリエにてすべて書き下ろした作品を、展示予定です。リミテッド・エディションジクレープリントも販売予定です。

    真冬の北海道でアート×音楽を体験しに、そして雪と戯れに、ぜひ遊びに来てください。私も今から、どんなセッションになるのか、ものすごく楽しみです。一夜限りの、音と言葉で満たされていく真っ白で幻想的な空間を、みなさんと一緒に共有したい。たくさんの方々の笑顔と触れ合えることを楽しみにしています。[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row cover=”yes” repeat=”no-repeat” attachment=”scroll” fluid=”no” padding=”no-padding” margin=”no-margin”][vc_column align=”” class_type=”md” width=”1/1″ animation=”” animation_delay=”” animation_duration=””][rs_section_title align=”left” title=”EVENT DETAILS” show_right=”no”][/vc_column][vc_column align=”” class_type=”md” width=”1/1″ animation=”” animation_delay=”” animation_duration=””][symple_heading title=”SOLO EXHIBITION & PERFORMANCE ” type=”h5″ style=”dashed-line” text_align=”left” icon_left=”none” icon_right=”none”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row cover=”yes” repeat=”no-repeat” attachment=”scroll” fluid=”no” padding=”no-padding” margin=”no-margin”][vc_column align=”” class_type=”md” width=”1/4″ animation=”” animation_delay=”” animation_duration=””][vc_column_text align=”center”]

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    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column align=”” class_type=”md” width=”3/4″ animation=”” animation_delay=”” animation_duration=””][vc_column_text]クロスホテル札幌クラークギャラリー+SHIFTのコラボレーションで展示を行う「まちなかアート・クロス・ エディション」の第19弾として、カリフォルニアを拠点に世界各地で「異文化の架け橋」となり活躍する北海道出身 の書家/アーティスト、山口碧生による個展を開催します。

    本展では、書の世界に見える「陰翳」、そして私たちがふとした瞬間・空間に感じる「陰翳」を、色、音、感情の 3つの視点から見つめ、言葉に起こし、詩のイメージを表現した現代創作書・前衛書作品を展示します。

    2月19日(金)には、個展のオープニングレセプションと併せて、本展のために曲を書き下ろしたシアトル出身・ 東京在住のミュージシャン、コリー・フラー (坂本龍一氏との共作が話題となったILLUHAのメンバー) とのコラボレーションによる「ライブ書道パフォーマンス」を披露します。

    山口碧生 個展
    「陰翳    IN – EI」 THE RESONANCE of SHADOWS

    会期:2016 年2月20日(土)〜 4月30日(土)
    会場:クロスホテル札幌 2階ロビー・ミートラウンジ
    住所:札幌市中央区北2西2
    ミートラウンジ営業時間:10:00〜24:00(貸切の場合がございます)
    主催:クロスホテル札幌(企画部 011-272-0051)
    キュレーション:クラークギャラリー+SHIFT
    協力:まちなかアート
    http://www.crosshotel.com/sapporo
    http://www.clarkgallery.co.jp

    ◼︎ オープニングレセプション & 山口碧生 × Corey Fuller ライブ書道パフォーマンス
    2月19日(金)19:00〜22:00
    クロスホテル札幌 2階ミートラウンジ
    入場無料(ワンドリンクオーダー制)/予約不要

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    Aoi Yamaguchi Solo Exhibition
    “陰翳  IN – EI: THE RESONANCE of SHADOWS”

    Duration: Saturday February 20th, 2016 – Saturday April 30th, 2016
    Venue: Cross Hotel Sapporo 2nd floor & Meet Lounge
    Address: North 2 West 2, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
    MeetLounge Hours: 10:00 ~ 24:00 (Occasionally closed for private events)
    Hosted by: Cross Hotel Sapporo (Event Department: 011-272-0051)
    Curated by: Clark Gallery + SHIFT
    Supported by: Machinaka Art

    ◼︎ Opening Reception & Aoi Yamaguchi × Corey Fuller Live Calligraphy Performance
    Friday February 19th, 2016 19:00~22:00
    @ Cross Hotel 2F MeetLounge
    Free admission (One drink order required) / No reservation required[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row cover=”yes” repeat=”no-repeat” attachment=”scroll” fluid=”no” padding=”no-padding” margin=”no-margin”][vc_column align=”” class_type=”md” width=”1/1″ animation=”” animation_delay=”” animation_duration=””][symple_heading title=”PRE-EVENT ” type=”h5″ style=”dashed-line” text_align=”left” icon_left=”none” icon_right=”none”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row cover=”yes” repeat=”no-repeat” attachment=”scroll” fluid=”no” padding=”pb-70 pb-xs-50″ margin=”no-margin”][vc_column align=”” class_type=”md” width=”1/4″ animation=”” animation_delay=”” animation_duration=””][vc_column_text align=”center”]cross_generation_icehills

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    CROSS GENERATION in ICE HILLS HOTEL

    ・Resident DJ: Fuminori Kagajo
    ・GUEST DJ : NAOHITO UCHIYAMA
    ・Special Art Performance: 山口碧生 ライブ書道パフォーマンス ✕ 音楽:Corey Fuller
    ・MC : 潮音

    会期:2月18日(木)
    19:00 クロスホテル札幌出発 ※貸切バス
    20:00 ICE HILLS HOTEL着
    CROSS GENERATIONスタート
    21:45 終了
    22:00 ICE HILLS HOTEL出発
    主要駅立ち寄り、クロスホテル札幌着

    会場:ICE HILLS HOTEL IN TOBETSU
    住所:スウェーデンヒルズゴルフ倶楽部特設会場 石狩郡当別町スウェーデンヒルズ2788-28
    食事:1ドリンク+フィンガーフード
    会費:2,500円(バス、1ドリンク、フード込)
    定員:50名

    お問い合わせ:クロスホテル札幌(企画部 011-272-0051)
    ※会場は氷のホテルです。暖かい服装でご来場ください。
    http://www.icehillshotel.com

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    CROSS GENERATION in ICE HILLS HOTEL

    ・RESIDENT DJ : Fuminori Kagajo
    ・GUEST DJ : NAOHITO UCHIYAMA
    Special Art Performance : Aoi Yamaguchi Live Calligraphy Performance ✕ Music by Corey Fuller
    ・MC : 潮音

    Thursday, February 18th
    19:00 Departs from Cross Hotel ※By the chartered bus
    20:00 Arrive at Ice Hills Hotel – Event starts
    21:45 Closing
    22:00 Departs from Ice Hills Hotel
    Bus will make stops at major stations on its way to Cross Hotel.

    Venue: ICE HILLS HOTEL IN TOBETSU
    Address: Sweden Hills Golf Club Special Venue  2788-28, Sweden Hills, Tobetsu-cho, Ishikari-shi
    Food: 1 drink + finger food
    Ticket: ¥2,500 (includes bus, 1 drink, food)
    Capacity: 50

    For inquiries: Call Cross Hotel Sapporo at 011-272-0051
    ※ The venue is a hotel made of ice. Please dress warmly.
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    Corey Fuller  コリー・フラー

    アメリカ生まれ、日本育ち。現在、東京在住。ミュージシャン、サウンドデザイナー、エンジニア、ディレクター、映像作家、写真家として幅広く活動中。2009年にファースト・ソロアルバム「Seas Between」(米Dragon’s Eye)を発表して以来、NYの名門老舗レーベル12kよりILLUHA名義でアルバムを数々リリース。その後ヨーロッパ、アメリカ、日本を含め世界各国をツアーで周り、様々なアーティストとコラボレーションを積み重ねる。2013年には 坂本龍一、Taylor Deupreeらと日本を代表するアートセンターYCAMで共演を果たし、そのライブ音源が「Perpetual」となりリリースされた。自然とテクノロジー、場の力などをテーマに、写真、舞踏、短歌、書道、映画など幅広い分野でコラボレーションも展開している。

    Born in the US and raised in Japan, Corey Fuller is a musician and multimedia artist from Tokyo, Japan. Growing up between several different cultures and traveling extensively as a child have made geography and a sense of place major components of Fuller’s music. His work is a slow and gradual music composed of infinitesimal details comprised of processed and delicately treated acoustic instruments, field recordings, and other sound sources. In addition to his work as a solo artist, Fuller finds his collaborations with other artists invaluable. Besides his work with Date as ILLUHA, Fuller has collaborated with Ryuichi Sakamoto, Taylor Deupree, Marcus Fischer, Simon Scott, Stephan Mathieu and others on releases and tours. Following a slew of collaborative releases, 2016 will see the release of Fuller’s long anticipated second solo album, following the critically acclaimed Seas Between.

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  • “Kakizome” Workshop: First Writing of the Year

    “Kakizome” Workshop: First Writing of the Year

     

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    Kakizome (書き初め) is the term for the first calligraphy writing of the new year, traditionally performed on the second day of January. This event is also called 吉書 (kissho), 初硯 (hatsu-suzuri) and 試筆 (shi-hitsu). People write auspicious words or a short Japanese or Chinese poetry, such as haiku or tanka, something that symbolizes one’s wishes for the New Year. In modern times, people simply prefer to choose kanji characters that have positive meanings and one’s resolution for the year.

    Traditionally, Kakizome is written with fresh water taken from the well in the morning of the New Year’s Day, which is called 若水 (Wakamizu), as this water is believed to be holy. Ink grinding gives you meditative moment to reflect your thoughts and wishes for the new beginning of the year.  From ancient times in Oriental countries, calligraphy has been defined as “書は人なり” (sho wa hito nari = “calligraphy is the person”), and “書、心画也” (書、心の画なり: sho, kokoro no e nari = “calligraphy, a painting of your heart), meaning that our handwriting reflects one’s personality: emotions, discipline, sophistication and inner spirit. Kakizome is a perfect challenge for one to embody your wishes in handwritten words; prepare the ink, focus in the moment, pick up the brush and write the steady strokes without hesitating in a smooth, continuous flow.

    The history of Kakizome goes back to more than 500 years ago. Kakizome was originally a ceremonial event in the Imperial Court. Before the Edo period (1603 – 1868), education was only accessible to children of samurai and ruling families, so as calligraphy.  In the beginning of 17th century, terakoya, private educational institutions originally founded in Buddhist temples, began to teach mainly reading and writing to children of middle class and commoners, and has widely spread in cities such as Edo and Osaka during the Edo period, remarkably in 1830s.  In Meiji Period, the government instituted public school system to provide basic education for the entire nation (called 学制 Gakusei, instituted in 1872), and calligraphy classes became mandatory as part of the public education curriculum. Since then, Kakizome has spread among commoners and became a popular event for the New Years.

    In Japan, Kakizome is usually burned at a Sagicho festival on the 14th or 15th of January. If your burned paper flies high, it is believed to be implying that your writing skill will improve.

    Here at my studio, Atelier Towa, I will be hosting Kakizome workshops on January 9th and 10th!
    Details are on the link below:

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    Looking forward to enjoying New Year calligraphy with you!

  • Open Studio & Holiday Art Sales

    Open Studio & Holiday Art Sales

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    It’s been about a year since I moved to this beautiful new location in North/West Berkeley. Just before this year ends, I’ve decided to do open studio / holiday sales!
    Artworks from the series “Momentum” will be on view; selected limited edition prints will be available. Limited postcards and greeting cards will be available for sale, perfect for the holiday season!

    Japanese calligraphy tools and materials for beginners that I hand-selected and imported from Japan are available for purchase, if you are interested in taking lessons here at Atelier Towa next year, or practicing calligraphy yourself (I grew up practicing using these tools, so you have my word on its quality!). You will get discounted lesson fee if you bring tools and materials you purchased at Atelier Towa.

    You can also pre-sign-up for Kakizome workshop (Kakizome: first calligraphy of the New Year) in person, which will take place here at the atelier on January 9th, 2016!

    Hope to see you there!

    Open Studio Hours:
    Saturday, Dec 19 11am-6pm
    Sunday, Dec 20 11am – 4pm

    Location: 
    Atelier Towa: Aoi Yamaguchi Calligraphy
    1450 Fourth Street #11, Berkeley, CA 94710

    You need GATE CODE to get in:
    If you are interested in visiting, please RSVP (FREE) from the button below.
    You will receive the door code to enter the building before the event!

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  • JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHOPS STARTING IN DECEMBER

    JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHOPS STARTING IN DECEMBER

    Starting December 2015, I’m going to begin teaching a series of Japanese calligraphy workshops in my studio in Berkeley California, called Atelier Towa. The first two sessions are on Sunday December 6th, morning and afternoon. More classes and programs will be announced as they are scheduled. For those who have been curious about Japanese calligraphy but never officially tried before; who have held calligraphy brush a couple times in the past and thinking about exploring more; who enjoy brush paintings and want to polish your skill in controlling brush; who enjoy yoga and meditation, want to center your mind through a zen moment by feeling your energy leaving traces on a paper – this would be the place for you. I’ll do my best to introduce various aspect of Japanese calligraphy to deepen your understanding of its history, discipline, styles, format, tools and materials, and assist you to improve your skills. The best way to the fast improvement is to enjoy doing it! Hope you can join us and together we’ll enjoy the art of Japanese calligraphy!

    For more details & registrations:
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    Looking forward to have you at Atelier Towa!