Just Passing Through: May 2014

Friday, May 23, 2014

Rewinding - Installation Art with Origami Cranes & Used Video Tape

Here are some more photos of my new installation art piece "Rewinding." This piece is made of paper and used video tapes. I was always wanting to include origami elements in my installation art, so I am glad it happened this time, and I feel I want to do it more in the future. It is natural for me to make origami pieces because I grew up making them as most of the Japanese kids do.

I have noticed myself using more found objects, everyday objects, for my installation art lately. This is probably because I like the idea of recycling. And these everyday objects are quite inspiring! Since I have many VHS video tapes that I no longer use, I thought it was a good idea to use them for my art rather than just throwing them away. The artist statement of this work is here. I made this piece to show at The First Wichita Emerging Artists Award Exhibit. I hope to make this piece again at a different site.

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Wichita's First Emerging Artists Award Exhibit

Wichita's first ever Emerging Artists Award Exhibit was held during the Friends of Wichita Art Museum 55th Art & Book Fair last week. The exhibit was sponsored by Arts Council Inc. of Wichita and hosted by the Friends of Wichita Art Museum (FWAM). This was a special exhibit presentation of works by eight juried finalists at Century II, Exhibition Hall, May 9 -10, and the "La Noche de Fiesta" VIP Preview event, May 9th.

A painting by Tim Stone and a sculpture by Nam Le

For this exhibit and competition, I showcased my painting "Sojourning #16" and my new installation.

I started installing my installation piece from the morning of the first day of the event and finished it right before the jurors came to see the work. It was nerve-wracking, but I had great fun making it. The finished work looked so fresh.

Above all this fun, I was chosen as one of the three recipients of the cash award! It is so encouraging to receive money through practicing installation art which is ephemeral and unsellable. I would like to send my special thanks to the jurors, Dan Rouser, Mary Werner, Carl Mitchell, Tina Murano, Bradshaw Bernadette, and Lindsey Herkommer. I feel so humbled and honored knowing that each juror is a great leader in various art scenes in Wichita. I also want to thank Christopher Gulick, the chair person of the Art & Book Fair event who supported us before and during the exhibit, and of course, I appreciate the person who nominated me to this event.