A Thread X A Thread in a Time of Uncertainty

     In the current show at Manhattan Arts Center, I'm showing my installation A Thread X (Meets) A Thread.  This piece was originally designed as a touchable art; I have asked viewers to add threads to my piece.  However, since we have been going through the Coronavirus pandemic, I needed to change the concept of this work, at least for this exhibition.

       I installed the piece in a small enclosed area in the gallery and added masking tapes to suggest them as the signs to say, "do not enter" or "keep the social distance of at least six feet."  It was inspired by the blue masking tape which started to appear everywhere we went this spring.  Here is the artist statement that I wrote for this exhibition.

Regularly, with A Thread X (Meets) A Thread, I ask viewers to add threads as an expression of treasuring the moment of meeting people.  Since we have been just going through the Coronavirus pandemic, I would ask you not to touch the artwork, but to add a thread just in your mind instead, for this exhibition.  This illustrates that during this time of uncertainty, touchable things have changed to untouchable things; the norms have changed completely.  We should not take our norms for granted.  It makes me think that it is even more precious to meet people and to treasure each moment with them.  I hope this difficult time will be over completely and that the original idea for this artwork will come back soon.

     I am also displaying some photos of my previous shows.  They show the original images of the work, the images of the people who are interacting with the piece.  

"Chiyoko Myose Solo Exhibition - Sojourning in a Time of Uncertainty"

Kirmser Gallery,
Manhattan Arts Center
1520 Poyntz Ave.
Manhattan, KS, 66502
Date:  July 11 - August 8, 2020

For the details of the gallery, go to Manhattan Arts Center's website.

KPTS Channel 8 Keeper 150 World Premiere Coming Soon

     KPTS journalist, Chris Frank documents the story behind Wichita's Keepers on Parade, and how they are becoming part of Wichita's Birthday Celebration, in a one-hour documentary entitled "Keeper 150".  It will be premiered on July 16th at 7:00 pm on KPTS Channel 8.  The Keeper that my daughter and I painted is one of the keepers that are going to be featured.

     You can also catch the documentary on one of the seven air dates below.

KPTS Channel 8.1
- July 16, 7:00 p.m.
- July 23, 8:00 p.m.
- July 30, 9:00 p.m.
- August 6, 7:00 p.m.

KPTS Channel 8.2
- July 20, 7:00 p.m.
- July 28, 4:00 p.m.
- July 29, 8:00 p.m.

There is a teaser here: Keeper 150 Teaser

Chiyoko Myose - Sojourning in A Time of Uncertainty, Video Clip by Clive Fullagar

      Clive Fullagar made this beautiful video for my solo exhibition at Manhattan Arts Center, Manhattan, KS.  If you're in this area, please visit the show and follow their health and safety practice guidelines.  In this show, I am showing paintings including some new works and a special social distancing version of my installation"A Thread X A Thread".

Kirmser Gallery,
Manhattan Arts Center
1520 Poyntz Ave.
Manhattan, KS, 66502
Date:  July 11 - August 8, 2020

For the details of the gallery, go to Manhattan Arts Center's website.

Solo Exhibition at Manhattan Arts Center

This summer, I'm showing my paintings and an installation "A Thread X A Thread in a Time of Uncertainty," a special social distancing version of "A Thread X A Thread" in Manhattan KS.

Sojourning in a Time of Uncertainty - the artwork of Chiyoko Myose
I'm glad this show is actually happening and did not get cancelled!
If you're in this area, please check it out.
Please wear a mask and practice social distancing of at least six feet.

Sojourning #24

Kirmser Gallery,
Manhattan Arts Center
1520 Poyntz Ave.
Manhattan, KS, 66502

Date:  July 11 - August 8, 2020
Opening Reception:  July 10, 5:00 - 7:00pm

Painting "City Bird Keeper"

     Here is a set of photos toward the end of the painting of our Keeper.  The large birds throughout the Keeper symbolize the district's history of manufacturing airplanes, the McConnell Air Forse base, and the significance of being at the heart of the "Air Capital" of the world.  They illustrate the community's efforts to soar high and "fly" together.  The circles overlapped through the Keeper are exemplary of the round shape of golf balls and disc golf, which have both been the main attraction at Clapp Park.  They also represent the movement of our thoughts.  We decided to title our Keeper as "City Bird Keeper". 

Finding a Place for the Keeper

The other day, we were asked which particular spot of the park we would like to place our Keeper, so we went to the park again.  Since it is a huge park with no vehicle accessiblity inside, it was nearly impossible to see the whole place, but we knew it had to be the place that people can go to see easily even with wheelchairs.  We decided to focus on the area close to the Clapp Park building with the park's main parking lot nearby.





Since the park was a former golf course, it has a lot of remnants of the circular putting greens.  They looked like a nice place for sculptures/statues.  We particularly liked a couple of these circular areas; one near the Clapp Park building and one close to the corner of the cross-section of Oliver St. and Harry St.  The first one is very close to the park building which is easily accessible, and the second one is visible from the street.  We decided to nominate these two places and leave it up to Together Wichita to decide the rest.

Painting the Keeper

Here are some photos to share how we were painting the Keeper.  This was about over half-way through.

 

     Chris Frank from KPTS came to our studio garage the other day.  He is making a documentary to feature all 13 artists who have been working on this project as well as Blackbear Bosin, the original artist of the Keeper of the Plains.  My daughter did a good job with the interview, but I was sweating horribly with a mask on.  This documentary program is going to be on air four times on their station and this will also become the official unveiling of the Keepers.