Michiko
Kawarabayashi – The Collaboration
7th May,
Ealish arrived in Japan.
8th May,
She attended the slide lecture of Prof. Fujimoto at Seian
University. It’s good for her to meet one of the artists
who deals with fibre.
9th May,
We went to Osaka Seikei University. She was excited about
the amount of the information they had at the laboratory.
10th May,
We were visiting the galleries in Kyoto by tube. I introduced
her to Ms. Kawashima and afterwards, we took her to a Chinese
restaurant for a welcome meal with Ms. Agano and Anniken.
Ealish must have been relaxed when she met other artists.
11th May,
Ealish went to the town alone for the first time. I was surprised
by the choices of the goods she bought from there which were
so similar to the ones I usually get in the town. It was a
relief for me to think about spending a good three months
with her. Ms. Agano suggested both Anniken and Ealish to join
a tour, wearing kimonos and having lunch in the traditional
way. Afterwards, Ealish observed some Japanese embroidery
and the articles from wedding such as, obi, hair accessory
and wrapping fabric.
18th May,
Attended the opening party at the gallery called, Kan and
met many artists there. We also went to Inari shrine. We saw
the varieties of Shinto articles. Ealish found that it was
very intriguing. She took many photos.
20th May,
We went to one of the most Kyoto taste gallery called, Wada
and had a conversation with an artist. Afterwards, we wondered
around the town of Kyoto.
23rd May,
We joined the felt making workshop at Osaka Seikei University
with other students. Went to the Mr. Fujimoto’s exhibition
opening party. At home, watched Kabuki and the puppets show
called, Joruri on the television.
26th May,
After having a meeting with her, these are my impressions
of her works.
- It looks very Japanese though she hardly know this culture
- The balance of stillness and movement
Now, these are Ealish’s impressions
on Japan.
- Friendly.
- Impressive structures of both shrine and Buddhist temples.
- Mixture of modern and history
These are the aspects of our future collaboration work.
- Ealish looks forward to emphasise her experience in Japan.
- We will make 2 X 2 silk-screen printed piece each, then
we attach both pieces together and making it into 2m X 4m.
We will apply our own techniques on the surface of the work.
The theme of the work will be Kyoto.
My idea of the first work.
- The relationship between human and material. Some materials
potentially inspire my creativity. I think that the work and
the spirit will be united by the process of making. Further,
the spectators will surely engage themselves with the works
and so on.
Our common interests are; we both
have a great deal of interest in materials which inspires
us and lead us to make something nice and has a function for
it. We want to delve into the unique combination of new and
old materials for the project.
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Ealish
Wilson – Finding my feet
May 2003
At first glance everything seems quite
familiar, the houses are not all low single storey with bamboo
roofs. You then take a second look and realise this is a completely
different cultural environment. The street signs, shops, people,
traditions. There is so much visual stimulation I can’t
photograph enough.
My hosts Michiko and Hiro Kawarabayashi
have welcomed me so warmly I feel at home already. They are
great fun and enter into the spirit of things all the time.
Although language is limited, through sign language and a
little bit of acting communication is effected.
I dived straight in with Kyoto City and
started exploring in my first three days. The city is fairly
small and built on a grid system so quite easy to navigate.
I am very aware of being foreign, this is a place you cannot
be complacent about English! I have found the Japanese patient
and helpful. In shops they are quite happy to wait while I
fumble around my phrase book and dictionary!! The city is
a maze of little back streets with traditional book shops
set side by side with contemporary clothing stores. The construction
of some garments and the use of print is fascinating and something
I want to investigate further and possibly incorporate in
my work.
There are so many galleries and exhibitions
are constantly changing it’s a marathon to keep up.
Like everywhere there are good and bad, it’s interesting
to see them all. I have found the textiles/crafts to be refined
and aesthetically honed. Many treasured items are used in
everyday life which is wonderful. They are not hidden for
best or closeted behind a frame. They are revered but they
are also an inherent part of the culture.
I have visited a few shrines and temples.
My favourite two have been Fushimi Inari Shrine and Kiyomizu
Temple both for very different reasons. Fushimi Inari Shrine
had the most amazing collection of origami bird strings in
beautiful colours. These are presented at the Shrine as a
good luck wish for children trying to get into school or university.
These intricate, delicate and time consuming pieces just hanging
there in the open to be weathered away, just a way of life!
Kiyomizu Temple in east Kyoto is built high on the mountain
side. Standing there you felt as though you were in the trees.
The main struts of the Shrine have all been carved out of
one tree.
I have been lucky that Anniken Amundsen
is here at the same time. Exploring can be a little more adventurous,
getting lost with someone else is always more fun. Also we
have been able to laugh at the same things and it is nice
to have a ‘normal’ conversation. I have really
enjoyed being with another ‘textile’ person who
looks at things with an alternative perspective to myself.
I have started some test pieces of work,
combining Misuhiki (paper strings) and my own pleated fabrics.
I need to become familiar with the misuhiki, how it stitches
or knots before I can visualise how I will incorporate it
in my work. Michiko and I have discussed our plans and we
would like to do a piece of work each, using our own techniques
and a collaborative one that combines our collected imagery
of Kyoto. I am intrigued as to how this will develop, we are
both at opposite ends of a scale as to our thoughts on the
city. She coming from a native standpoint and me looking with
a foreigner’s eyes. These are initial ideas and will
all evolve in their own way, through photos, printing,drawing
and substrates.
My first 3 weeks have been filled
with a feast of new sights, sounds, language and culture.
I have been shown great kindness and been given the space
and freedom to view my work from a different standpoint. Now
settled I am looking forward to the continued collecting of
ideas and putting them into practise.
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