impressing small details

meet myself again

noreply@blogger.com (mkf) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 02:38:00 +0000

Today, when I've researched by google, I found my feeling in the website by novelist Natsuki Ikezawa, which I wrote in 2003 by chance. I'm surprised that I forget about this completely. Recently I took a book edited by him from my ex-colleague. I'm impressed that the respectable novelist has picked up my small voice.

http://www.impala.jp/century/comment/cmt_030315_002m.html

where is your favorite place? - interview 3

noreply@blogger.com (mkf) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:34:00 +0000

It was so nice to talk to Hung Keung in Singapore. We've visited the city for participating ISEA 2008. After we escaped from the crowded opening party, we went to a food court. I took an interview for my video project, where is your favorite place?

impossibility of representation

noreply@blogger.com (mkf) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 16:02:00 +0000

I'm still thinking of Dance Project of Un captif amoureux.
Art is similar to being beside of the dead. To express something is similar to walk beside of the dead. I re-read Quatre heures a Chatila by Jean Genet last night.
We know the impossibility to representation after 20th century. To express is similar to love. We know that it's impossible. But even we know that, we try to love someone. Marguerite Duras said that we can bring up love in impossibility of it.
We cannot to represent about Scar. It's very difficult to share with the others. Even for a person, it's difficult to describe about any experiences in the Fact by her/himself. Palestine is a big bloody scar in our current time for us. It doesn't seems to have scab in the near future. We feel hollow. Hollow invites indifference. We pretend to not see the face of the dead.

Dance Project based on Un captif amoureux

noreply@blogger.com (mkf) — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:38:00 +0000

I watched a two-years-long-termed dance project Un captif amoureux by Jean Genet in Kyoto last night. It was very impressed and is still growing up in my mind. It's very difficult to say something about my impression. But I cannot to help to try to say anything.
The project was started by a contemporary dancer/choreographer Setsuko Yamada with her colleagues at an art university in Kyoto and other contemporary dancers. She has found an essence of Dance in Jean Genet's text L'atelier d’Alberto Giacometti . That's the starting point.
She and her collaborator, actually they are collaborator not as a choreographer and dancers, has studied Un captif amoureux as the text about Body and Text. They have discovered that Body is nearly same as Text (Word) in his text.
The dance piece didn't express or describe about Genet's text. They treat his text likes mirrors that reflect Dance. In my view, a lot of fragments of the mirrors are spread on the stage, in the dark, it's not easy to find them.
The stage design is very unusual. About 100 temporary audiences' seats are in the middle of the stage. The theater has a revolving stage. So the audiences are rotated in the stage each three acts. Each acts are very different. (If we count the pre-act in which we see many babies' faces on the black screen over the ordinary seats, we can count four acts.)
The first act has a lot of tags to let us remind many images, stories etc. For example, a dancer Misako Terada wears a black skirt. It seems a chador. Male dancer Osamu Jareo seems that he was born from the skirt in the scene. But the skirt is not for only female. Jareo is also covered by the black skirt. There are two big mirror walls in the horizont, another dancer Tsuyoshi Shirai is reflected in the mirror and projected his video image on the screen at the same time. So we see three Shirai's body images included real body, in the stage. Jareo is reading the texts, standing on the papers which stacked in the below the mirror. The scene is full of images which awake us.
On the second act, we see three female dancers and the images of flowers on the big white screen. I felt it's a bit romantic. (The all images in this piece were produced by video artist Takashi Ito.) The last act is very simple, no screen, no trick. The nearly improvisation by all dancers is abstract and ambiguous. The first act has very enjoyable. But the third act seems that it doesn't finish yet. It likes still in progress.
I felt that the dancers has been thinking how dance is possible in nowadays. All they see the limited their capacity and try to destroy that. All we can understand that on the stage. I haven't seen the dance by Setsuko Yamada for long time, may be more than 10 years. She is still young, her attitude is still young and flexible surprisingly. Jareo and Terada developed new aspects. (Terada's dance is sensitive and unstabled, it was so nice.)
I could see the attitude how dancers could be honest for Genet and in this era, specially in the terrible situation in Gaza. What artist can do in cruel political situation. This is one of the very difficult possible responses from the Japanese artists. They reflect their current thoughts and attitudes in their life and art to the Genet's text. It's a really tough work in Japan. It's treasure to see that artists explore the essence of Art and struggle against the limit of capacity or bocaburlary of their expression like this project. Looks unfinished and still in progress is reflection of attitude for Jean Genet. What he has done is not easy and the time we live is not easy.

On the other hand, I remind that I've seen a piece by Batsheba last month. We must see their work while we think what the mean is, to see a dance work by a company from Israel in these day. I couldn't find any new challenging things in the work, not as the 11 years ago. We could see big money to produce a large scale stage with 35 dancers. The projections of dancers' faces is effective. But it seems that "We are various people. We are not zionist." That may be true. To boycott to see art work by Israel is good choice? I've struggled. The art works which using Israel's national money is not guilty? The ticket fee might be used to buy weapons to kill Palestinian people and children? To see the art works made in the country means to help their propaganda? I know that we should see art work by any countries to understand what the people think. May be, it's different from to boycott starbucks. I want to believe that.
Nevertheless, the current situation in Palestine is too terrible. What we can do in the far-east island?
In the newsletter of the project, prof. Mari Oka wrote that she has realized that Art is very important to live to keep dignity of human even we live in war, by a talk of a Palestinian woman. And it treated her, and me too.

I think the project was possible to continue and realized, spending long times, because they have worked at a university in Kyoto. This is a role of university, I think so.

ダンス・プロジェクト『恋する虜』

春琴 Simon McBurney's new work

noreply@blogger.com (mkf) — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 14:34:00 +0000

Simon McBurney's new work based on Jyun'ichi Tanizaki's Syunkinsho and In'ei Raisan. My mind was totally white after I watch his new work. I was surprised that Shunkinsho is so erotic story. I didn't know that. Shunkinsho is popular story which even high school students know very well. I've thought that Shunkinsho is less of eroticism as compare his other works. After I returned my home, I re-read the story. I was so surprised again. McBurney has realized Tanizaki's taste faithfully. (The story is driven by reading aloud.) He completely understand Tanizaki's world and his words, more than Japanese me. In this work, we cannot expect his magical properties technique so much. But we can lose ourselves in the world of dark happiness.

Jan Fabre "Angel of Death"

noreply@blogger.com (mkf) — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 10:41:00 +0000

I've seen the dance performance yesterday too. I felt satisfaction to see ART perfectly. Jan Fabre challenged to not only describe Andy Warhol but also analyze William Forsythe, dance in his life. Forsythe dances not only the angel of death (Warhol) but also himself. It's the match between the two leaders of contemporary dance. In addition, I was surprised and feel happy to see the good audiences, very nice audiences in Yamaguchi. Feeling this mood is rare in Japan. They had good reaction for the piece. They, included children and old people, can see dance work without bias. I've thought that this piece is for mania. But Yamaguchi people enjoyed. This is a good sign for us. We have thought that selling the tickets is difficult in rural area, however, they were nearly sold out.

photo: Wong Bergmann

Open Studio at AIAV

noreply@blogger.com (mkf) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 10:20:00 +0000

I enjoyed to watch the residencies' ideas of Akiyoshidai International Artists Village and talk with visitors. I haven't imagined such a lot of people join the event in the rural area (nearly nothing around the building except mountain). They came from around the Yamaguchi prefecture. They like to communication with artists. It's cool.

Amazing Justin Fiske's work. He calculates all small stones' direction and speed when they rotate.

Shin il KIM's work influenced the philosophy of Japanese Shrine.

hand made amplifier

noreply@blogger.com (mkf) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 11:50:00 +0000

Funax sent me a small amplifier which he made. Thanks! I was surprised that the sound is very nice. Of course the box is also so cute. But I complained about the Nuu ヌー　noise I can hear through the amp. But it's a kind of charm. He will improve soon.

folks

noreply@blogger.com (mkf) — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 11:45:00 +0000

My folks of the InterLab. We answered Soojin's interview for Aliceon.
see more

strawberry

noreply@blogger.com (mkf) — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 01:39:00 +0000

I've worried about the strawberry plants at my terrace during my traveling. But they're fine and still bloom.

春節　Chinese New Year's night

noreply@blogger.com (mkf) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:18:00 +0000

I gathered friends to share the special dinner for Chinese New Year. We enjoyed eating and chatting. I was happy to see Kagumi-san and her husband, Nagai-san after we have met one year ago. Jt and Tama-chan also joined the party at very nice 四川Shisen restaurant 好好Hao Hao in Musashi-sakai.

previous day of 2 and 8 day

noreply@blogger.com (mkf) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:30:00 +0000

Tomorrow is 2 and 8 day.

Furuya-san took a photo in the front of the coffee shop after we ate Tempura.

Shoken

noreply@blogger.com (mkf) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 09:15:00 +0000

I met Shoken at the media arts festival in Tokyo. He talked about the next work.

Shinjyuku Barbeque

noreply@blogger.com (mkf) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 13:58:00 +0000

I met Furuya-san and took a dinner in Shinjyuku.
He took photographs the workers at the restaurant. He enjoyed the meal, talking and taking photographs. I tried again to take movie of the chatting with him. But this time was failed again. It was too noisy with camera's trouble, however, I really enjoyed taking photos/movies and showing each other. When we met at the first time - around 17 years ago? -, we couldn't talk friendly like now. He was too difficult person. He is still so. But now he became a bit mild. Additionally I've changed a bit too. Now I have a nerve, be not sensitive against his never changed evil tongue. :-)

United Visual Artists in Roppongi

noreply@blogger.com (mkf) — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 14:53:00 +0000

People enjoy the interactive installation at Roppongi Hills.
I met a member of UVA yesterday. He presented previous works.

Thai food in Tokyo

noreply@blogger.com (mkf) — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 13:11:00 +0000

I enjoyed a dinner at a Thai restaurant in Mitaka with jt. It was snowing outside.

birthday present and sashimi

noreply@blogger.com (mkf) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 13:46:00 +0000

Miwa-chan sent me a birthday present from NY. I think we are same Aquarius. Thanks, beautiful chocolate.

I bought a sashimi set at a public market in Yamaguchi today. It's included Uni!, however the price is 280 yen! It's impossible price in Tokyo but should be more fresh.

ice

noreply@blogger.com (mkf) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 13:43:00 +0000

It was snowing last night. I found the results at the park.

Barbecue in Yamaguchi

noreply@blogger.com (mkf) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:31:00 +0000

We went to a barbecue restaurant in Yamaguchi for the dinner with the artists and staff of Otomo exhibition. The style of this restaurant is different from others. The burner is set on the upper parts of the Oven. In this way, the oil of the meat drop. At the first we spread vegetable like onion and cabbage on the net, the oil soaks to the vegetables. It's tasty. The cost is very reasonable unbelievably.

meeting at Cafe Independent, Kyoto

noreply@blogger.com (mkf) — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 13:24:00 +0000

I had a meeting about an exhibition which will be held in this summer, with Otomo-san and Takamine-san. We have talked for 3.5 hours at the underground cafe. It was a fantastic time. When we go out on the street after the meeting, we saw the first snow this year.

NY souvenir from Japan

noreply@blogger.com (mkf) — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 12:57:00 +0000

I've got a package from a long-term friend, Miwa-chan. She is an artist who bases in NY. She stays in Japan to see her family in this new years days.
I've visited at her home in Paris many times, when she has lived in the fantastic city. We have gone many art exhibitions, theatres, nice restaurants together. After she has gone to the US with her boyfriend, we have met only when she go back to Japan. It became to be still not easy to see more, even she is in Tokyo, after I moved to the place far from Tokyo. We couldn't see this time. So she has sent the NY souvenirs from her home town in Japan. The sweet and the powder pieces of hot chocolate were brought in the long way. Thank you very much, sweet and warm. I hope to see her in NY after the next president election.

Aquarium, souvenir from Hong Kong

noreply@blogger.com (mkf) — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:35:00 +0000

The best of souvenir (for myself :) ) this time is this.

in Taipei

noreply@blogger.com (mkf) — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 12:00:00 +0000

I went to Taipei on the return way to research about media art in Taiwan. The media art scene in Taipei is very active. There are many sound art events here and probably a city-organized media art center will be opened next year.
Although the city of Taipei is quite different from Hong Kong, however,I like the atmosphere. I didn't forget to eat Taiwanese food. TASTY!

The Taipei National Uiversity of the Arts and Prof. Yuan.

I met media art people at the Taipei National University of the Arts, included Prof. Yuan and Yung-Ta. I had a lecture and introduced our art center's activities. I saw high-motivated students there.

I couldn't go to the Palace Museum this time too. I've visited some times, although I've never gone to there as well as the Peak in Hong Kong. I must go back to do only sight seeing.

Artists' Village

Hua Shan Cultural and Creative Industry Center / 華山創意文化園區

Electronic town in Taipei

in Hong Kong 3

noreply@blogger.com (mkf) — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 11:51:00 +0000

I've planned to make an archive of my friends' interviews. I shoot the movies on the day when I leave from Hong Kong. But it seems that I didn't succeed at the beginning. I must train. These clips are trials. I'll re-take their movies again.

Jamsen. he has stayed in Japan to study media art from 2004 to 2006. He is the director of the festival this year.

Fion. I've met her in Tokyo 10 years ago at the first. Time flies. We exchange info about Japanese and Hong Kong cinemas, and good food.

in Hong Kong 2

noreply@blogger.com (mkf) — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 11:07:00 +0000

I met Daan Roosegaarde at microwave festival.
I thought clearly that I must think about interactive art as performance after his presentation. I've got a piece of the thought when I was in Seoul last month. The thought made more clear face now. The works by Rafa are also in this concept. Participant can be performer in the front of this kind of the works.