Frances
Geesin - August
Friday August
1st
I drove to The Surrey Institute at Farnham to see Kaori in
her studio. We had discussed prior to our meeting the idea
of a book format and how we might interpret our thoughts within
that framework. Because of occasional language difficulty
in communicating our concepts we find that we speak though
our use of materials. But when Kaori said she was "Stacking
Time" I knew we were on the same wavelength and were
sharing a similar goal for our collaborative work.
Kenji Toki is the artist in residence
at the Institute and we were fortunate to see a stunning exhibition
of his Japanese Lacquer works. His work is computer generated
and the results are minimalist fluid natural forms which are
coated in a red/rust coloured OURUSHI¹ (Japanese wood
lacquer). I found his work fascinating but it was the colour
that inspired me and I am curious to discover whether the
lacquer can be applied to my fabrics. Kenji Toki kindly agreed
to coat my fabric sample when he returns to Japan. I am waiting
to learn the result and keen to know if I can use it for my
work.
Kaori came back to our home. I had arranged
for us to visit my Platers in Rochester. This would enable
Kaori to have an insight into the zinc process and colouring
techniques. To this end we worked throughout the weekend preparing
work which would then be given a silver hue by a zinc covering.
We worked with impregnated carbon fibres
which change to copper when in my copper plating bath. When
laminated by heat to a distressed knitted thermoplastic fabric
creates effects similar to fossils, which appear during the
plating process. We soldered carbon matted fibres together
. The photograph shows a piece of carbon plated copper and
another with two days of zinc.
The Monday morning we spent plating Kaori’s
work from copper to zinc. One sample changed dramatically
with zinc and was barely recognisable. The company were very
generous in giving their time and it broadened Kaori’s
knowledge for further possibilities. One has to experience
some processes first hand, otherwise it makes no sense at
all.
Back to ‘Headrest¹, the name
of our house, where we planned to work separately with the
knitted carbon laminate towards our book concept. I would
develop some ‘pages’ and Kaori likewise would
prepare work to bring to our next meeting which would be our
last.
Friday 15 August
Since Kaori's last visit I have managed
to have some quality time in my studio revisiting shibori
ideas, wrapping conductive fibres within the non woven, twisting
and stressing it.
When in the copper plating bath, the
fibres become copper plated. My aim is to transform the fibres
to resemble energy trying to escape or be realised.
This is suggested by and helped by the
spontaneous transformation of the fibres in the plating bath
. The movement of the chemicals which are activated by a pump
create a gentle movement which allows the fibres to move in
suspension. As they stiffen with the copper the fibres become
stiff as if frozen into lines and shapes which are out of
my control. At this stage I trust in invisible forces and
wait to be surprised.
It’s a mix of excitement and apprehension
when close to expressing an emotion through my work. I am
struggling with making sense of an idea with the material
I am using. I have a notion that the Japanese lacquer might
be appropriate, but time will tell.
The act of folding, wrapping and twisting
made me curious to learn more about wrapping. In conversation
with Lesley she mentioned a book called 'How to Wrap 5 Eggs'
by Hidyuki Oka which is about traditional Japanese packaging.
I was able to purchase the more recent publication 'How to
Wrap 5 MORE Eggs' which is a joy and truly inspirational Kaori
and I both agree it's a wonderfully refreshing reference book.
Saturday16 August
Kaori gave my partner Ron and myself kimonos which had generously
been given by her parents. We spent a wonderful interlude
trying them on and taking photographs which supplied some
light relief.
We compared the works we had made and
resolved that our collaborative piece would definitely have
a book format. We made mock-ups of alternative methods of
folding, discussed how many there should be, their proportions,
the method and how they might be placed in different stages
of openness.
Lesley came to interview us and see
the work in progress. It was useful, it always is because
through different questions we discover more about ourselves
in relation to the work and each other as we articulate our
thoughts.
That night we went to a restaurant in
Brighton, with two of our sons. It was a warm night and the
town felt very festive and a little crazy. I decided Kaori
had to see the pier and we ended up having a ride on the bumper
cars. It was a wonderful experience shrieking with laughter
and fear. As we staggered away a magical firework display
appeared in the night sky. The timing was perfect, as brightly
lit balls like dandelion seed heads grew and dispersed as
they gently evaporated over the calm sea.
17 August
I had been worried and felt an enormous responsibility that
we should arrive at a decision with joint agreement. It has
been a very special 8 weeks for me. I have enjoyed sharing
with Kaori and have discovered and moved on in some areas
which have only been possible because of my role as a mentor.
When Lesley interviewed us I said that ideally we would have
benefited with more time. This is partly because of the nature
of my process which Kaori has learned in order to use in her
future work. The planned exhibitions provide the necessary
focus when there are many pulls on one¹s time. We shall
make a collaborative work as discussed in this journal and
separate work. I consider myself very fortunate and privileged
to have this opportunity . Thank you Lesley for all your continued
hard work on the projects behalf. Thank you Zed N Platers
for giving time. Thank you Kaori for your calmness ,enthusiasm
and curiosity and thank you to my family for welcoming Kaori
into our home. Kaori returned to Farnham and I look forward
to seeing her next year.
Since returning to Japan we have been
in contact by email and are following through with our agreed
work.
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Kaori
Hosozawa - August
August 1-4
Frances visited me in Surrey. We will spend a few days together
and Frances will take me to the
plating company, to her friends houses and of course, do some
work together.
August 2nd
I made a few samples of work. I made the first one with some
conductive thread and applied some embroidery. With the second
one I also used the conductive materials to form a shape.
We then applied the copper plating on the surfaces. We will
be going to the plating company tomorrow, so I made a couple
more.
August 3rd
We went to the plating company and asked for some samples.
I saw a huge water tank where the metal parts were soaked.
This is the place where Frances usually commissions metal
plating for her work. Everyone at the company was friendly.
We waited to receive the samples. The
pieces turned into silver after twenty minutes. It looked
different from the copper plated ones. This way of working
was very new to me, I’ve never commissioned my work
to anyone, though I think that it is very important to be
involved with different people from different areas. And this
will certainly stimulate the making.
August 9th
I met Lesley, Celia, Kyoko Nitta and Naoko Yoshimoto in London.
Kyoko Nitta was paying her second visit to England, whereas
Naoko Yoshimoto was just about to leave to go back to Japan.
So this was the first and the last meeting for us altogether.
These days, I cannot help focussing on my worries about proceeding
with the work on my own in Japan. I will leave here soon too.
August 16-17
Our last meeting. Frances showed me a very old Japanese book
about ‘Wrapping’. She showed it to me for our
project. This book was published in the 1960’s, especially
for foreigners to Japan. The book intrigued me deeply, at
the same time it was for me nostalgic since I found the many
of the photographs were familiar to me. It was very interesting
to see some of the mundane products from Japan in the book.
Things suddenly looked so flashy when transferred to the book.
These mundane objects caught my eyes.
August 20th
I left England for Japan with anxiety
I couldn’t write everything I wanted
in this journal. I met many people, talked with them and spent
nice time together.
I would like to thank Ian Dumelow
who accommodated me at the Surrey Institute and Nick Gorse,
he always supported my work at the Surrey Institute.
And Lutz Becker, he made my last days in London unforgettable.
And Lesley Millar who arranged everything for me and always
supported me.
And finally I’d like to thank Frances Geesin and her
family who supported me wholeheartedly.
Kaori Hosozawa
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