2010年5月17日月曜日

"neoteny Japan" in Ehime prefecture

I visited the art museum of Ehime on May 16, to see a exhibition " neoteny japan". It seemed to be great success. The exhibiton came from a personal collection, Ryutarou Takahashi. He is a psychiatrist. He selected art works under the theme of "neoteny" from his collection.

There were a lot of fine art works of known artists.
Takashi Murakami.
Yoshimoto Nara.
Atuhiko Misawa.
Makoto Aida etc.
The artists belong to contemporary art. The thing that really strucked me the most was what a richly rewarded by the variety of art creations were there.
I think that one of secrets to success in this exhibition was the theme of "neoteny". Even neoteny, they had strong identities. Therefore, there were mature and fragile sences, it mirrored the problems of adult society.
Well, and I noticed that some artists had created some artworks in several ways, like painting, movie, sculpture and music etc, to express their world.

For example, Tomoko Kouike, when I entered a small room through a gate, a lot of people were standing in the middle of the room, there was a very large painting of "wolves and a girl"in the facade, a silver wolf object on left. When looked back to right, I saw a picture on the celling. It was a movie of the same theme, "wolves and a girl", and the whole room was filled with flashing light.
I was like I wanderd into an another world. I was sure I got into her world.


I've felt that art came to evolve.
Previously, Artists like painter and sculptor and musician, existed together. But recently, they get to blur into each other.
To express their world, the way doesn't matter. I feel important that what a sense of values can generate.
Some time ago, art gave us an emotional experience and it represented the beauty and power.
Later, we could get in something from art.
And now, art may try to make new worlds. I think that art would become a new amusement like game or trip or wisdom. In these mature society, we might require something special, even for art. And I've found art in demand. I'm looking forward to seeing the future of art.

2010年5月10日月曜日

"書道ガールズ" in Shikokutyuou city

“書道ガールズ”, the title of a Japanese movie, it means “girls learning Shodo”, will be released on May 15 in 2010. This movie is based on a true success story in my hometown, Shikokutyuou city. My hometown is located in the middle of Shikoku island, south west of Japan. Paper manufacturing is the town’s major industry, but now it has been declining from the severe international competition. Young people went to city, and the town became stagnant. The story is set in a high school in the town, my old high school. A new teacher comes to the school. He gets to work on 書道部, Shodo club, Japanese Calligraphy club. All players are women. They all have good skill, but no confidence and no hope. One day, the captain of Shodo girls saw the teacher writing, it was the new style of Shodo while dancing to music. They start to practice this dancing Shodo. Before long, they get to enjoy Shodo from the heart and have confidence. They become to try to do this performance for citizens. They decide to take part in the national contest. Please see the movie for more information.
http://wwws.warnerbros.co.jp/shodo-girls/
Shodo is the art of drawing characters with a brush and India ink called sumi. When I was a student, a lot of girls were learning about Shodo. Of course, I did. At that time it was not special. We ought to have proud of Shodo as a Japanese culture. In these days, Shodo seems very cool skill. I’m amazed to see how different it is, as taking things in a different direction. I think that it is important to improve the image, good looking and hot and smart image, through some media.
In addition, 紫舟, hot Shodo artist who is famous for writing the title of “龍馬伝”, is from Shikokutyuou city. Such good news brings life to us. All citizens with the mayor in the lead help to promote this movie. I enjoy this movement like an event. Now, the Shodo teacher moved to a university as a Shodo professor. He seems to be very nice person, besides handsome. I heard that some Shodo girls went to his university. This is also a real story.