Back to a Suitcase. Artist Statement for Harukaze 春風 Spring Breeze

I enjoyed this work "A Thread X A Thread"  a lot throughout the showcase at WSU.  It witnessed a formal Japanese tea ceremony, saw the energy of the studetns and their thoughtful and elaborate artworks.  I had many good conversations with old and new faculty.  With the help of many people, this work itself has been exhibited in the biggest setting ever. It is 50 feet high. I am surprised myself that a work that started with only two pieces of thread has grown so large. Of course, I had the help of many people with the installation. Without their help, this would not have been possible. Thank you so much everyone! I am humbled and grateful. Without their help, this exhibit would not have been possible. 

Now its is in a small suitcase again.  I hope it will continue its journey and meet more people if the Lord's willing.

  

Harukaze 春風 Spring Breeze

Collaboration Between Japanese Tea Ceremony and the Installation Art “A Thread X A Thread”

Artist Statement by Chiyoko Myose

 

On our journey through life, we meet many people.  Although I know I cannot build relationships with every person that I meet, my hope is to treasure the moment of meeting people whether or not I will have another chance to see that person again.  I believe such a mindset will eventually bring peace between individuals and create a sense of "home." The installation “A Thread X A Thread” began by tying two pieces of thread together and it continues to evolve.  Each knot that is created represents the crossing point between people; and the importance of cherishing each moment of encounters with others.

This idea resonates with a Japanese cultural concept which is related to the traditional Japanese tea ceremony.  Over a cup of tea, participants in the tea ceremony experience a moment of peace and tranquility in a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.

I am pleased to collaborate with Miyu, who has 12 years of experience in tea ceremony, to create a collaboration with tea ceremony and the installation “A Thread X A Thread”.  The theme and the title of this event, “Harukaze, Spring Breeze” expresses the essence of a journey: movement, change, and resonance with place. Miyu and I traveled from our home country to another.  While exploring the artistic expression through tea ceremony sessions and immersive installation art experiences, we hope to express gratitude to the people we meet along our life’s journey, and to the Wichita community. 

Japanese Tea Ceremony

The Japanese tea ceremony, or sado, “The way of tea”, is a Japanese tradition steeped in history. It is a ceremonial way and process of serving and drinking tea, showing hospitality and gratitude through each traditional movement. Tea ceremony is considered as a comprehensive art form that includes ceramics, hanging scrolls, flower arrangement, architecture design, and gardens. The four principles of the tea ceremony are tranquility, respect, purity, and harmony.  This traditional philosophy and etiquette are reflected in various forms in today's Japanese culture.  There are three main schools of tea ceremony, and the one presented in this event is the Urasenke school's. Usu-cha, thin tea, and sweets called higashi, a handmade confectionery made from fine-grained sugar are going to be served at this event. Various shapes of higashi associated with the spring season are prepared.

The journey of “A Thread X A Thread”

Since this work was first showcased in Wichita in 2013, it has been exhibited in 18 different places including Matfield Green, Manhattan, and Lindsborg KS, Kansas City, MO, Oklahoma City and Tulsa, OK, Greenwich, CT, Billings, MT, Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, and Chiba, Japan. In each show, I invite people to add threads to my piece hoping that this interactive act would become the place for them to think about their own relationship with people and treasure each moment.  I hope it will continue its journey and the added thread pieces will meet people in other places.

Special thanks to ADCI, Wichita State University the School of Art, Design and Creative Industries, JCA, Japanese Culture Association at Wichita State University, and the Wichita State University Japanese Language Program, Lisa Komatsu, and Ami Goto. 

 

 

Video Piece Harukaze 春風 Spring Breeze - Making of Chashitsu

While I was producing the Harukaze 春風 Spring Breeze project, I thought that a tea ceremony must encompass the perspective of a comprehensive art.  Since the space is large, I thought it would not be a good idea to place small objects randomly.  Instead, I decided to create a video piece with images suggesting these objects.  At first I considered using projection, but since the event was at 6:00 p.m., when it was still light, and since the space did not allow control of light from outside, I decided to use a TV set to play the video.  It was running in the space of the atrium of McKnight during the show thanks to the cooperation of the office of WSU ADCI.  You can watch it on my YouTube channel now.

Harukaze 春風 Spring Breeze Making of Chashitsu

The artist statement is below.

Harukaze 春風 Spring Breeze

Making of Chashitsu

Video

Artist statement

Chiyoko Myose

 

Tea ceremony generally takes place within a traditional Japanese room called chashitsu, or a tearoom.  Chashitsu is set in a garden featuring elements like tsukubai, a washbasin for visitors to purify themselves before entering the chashitsu.  

Inside, the chashitsu is decorated simply, and yet thoughtfully with art elements such as a hanging scroll, bamboo works, flower arrangement, and ceramic works.  This is why the tea ceremony is called a comprehensive art form. 

With this exhibit, I sought to capture this essence of the tea ceremony environment. However, rather than placing these objects directly in the space, I chose to create a video work that draws inspiration from a chashitsu.

This video piece includes alternative elements reminiscent of those found in a traditional chashitsu such as water in a stream and a lake, and flowers in the field.  Here I have dared to choose wildflowers, which are considered weeds. These landscapes, when carefully observed and meditated upon, reveal deep layers of beauty and significance.

Instead of the traditional hanging scroll and tea bowl, I included a calligraphy scene by Rino and a tea bowl throwing scene by Wyatt as beautiful alternatives.

By layering them over the gently swaying images of my installation "A Thread X A Thread" and using posterize effect in places, I expressed a feeling of imagining and recognizing "chashitsu"– the one and only moment of tranquility and gratitude – wherever I go.

 

Two Students' Response Works and My Ceramics Art Collection

Harukaze 春風 Spring Breeze project was not only a collaboration with a tea ceremony and an installation exhibition, but also an opportunity for me to share the process and experience of creating a work and a project with a couple of students of the Robert Bubp's Community Arts Engagement class. As their final assignment, they created an event and artwork in response to my installation, A Thread X A Thread.

Wyatt, a studio art major with a concentration in ceramics, created an event called "Handmade Cup Exchange” at Henrion Hall where ceramics studios are. People were constantly coming and going, exchanging their work with others, kind of secretly. It looked like they were having fun with this game-like activity all day long.

I also had the honor of exchanging a bowl that I made many years ago with a very beautiful Wyatt's bowl. Mine is in the back. That was his idea, by the way. I know, I am so humbled.

Lynn, an art education major with a concentration in painting, created an installation experimenting with optical illusion effects using three primary colors of yarn.

I am so humbled, honored, and thrilled that they have responded to my work using their areas of expertise to create unique pieces and events with concepts that resonate with my work, while using very different materials and different ideas.

On the same day, WSU Ceramics Guild Spring Sale was going on under the Lynn's piece.  You can get one-of-a kind originals.  This year's spring sale is over, but they do this regularly for getting funding for the guild. 

I bought a bowl at the sale. Probably, the magic of the Lynn's piece encouraged it, too! Now, I have a collection of ceramic works in front of me! Have I started an art collection? It's just so exciting!

Relationship with Architectural Design, Cathedral-Like Atmosphere, and a White Bird

Here are some more photos of my work "A Thread X A Thread" that  I took in the atrium of McKnight Art Center. 

I know several other artists have exhibited their work in this space in the past.  I am so honored to be a part of the legacy of the history of these artsits.  When creating an installation piece, I realize installation art is so much associated with architectural design.  I was fascinated by the stately, solid, yet open design of the atrium of McKnight.  At the same time, the contrast with my work, which appears weak, delicate, and almost invisible was interesting.  I also found it intriguing that this seemingly weak object appears to be holding the space and creating a design of strong movement.  

It felt like being in a cathedral. Frits Hemans, my late art history professor told us that the design of the structure and the space of McKnight Art Center were inspired by the ones of cathedals, so that made sense. 

I kept looking up and gazing at my pieces, and it looked as if a white bird was spreading its wings and flying.  I thank God for this installation, this space, their relationship with me, and giving me this spiritual feel in the image. 

Immersive Experience in the Morning Sun Light, Shadows and Shocker Yellow

After the tea ceremony event was over like a dream, my installation "A Thread X A Thread" was on display and interacted with at the atrium of McKnight through April 26th.  During that time, I heard many good comments about the work and the artist talk, which I am so thankful.  

The display of the installation at this space was truly magical. When the weather was good, I could see the gorgeous shadows of the piece on the yellow wall at around 8:00 - 9:00 am.  They appeared and moved down as the sun went up.  I consider shadows to be as important as the actual elements.  Here are some photos and video from my immersive experience in Shocker yellow.

Professional Photos and Videos of "A Thread X A Thread" In the Atrium of McKnight

Here are some photos of my work "A Thread X A Thread" that a professional photographer, Kendra Cremin of WSU ADCI  took.  They are so gorgeous!  I have noticed that my work is seen differently by different persons.  Also, depending on the surrounding circumstances, and by the direction of light, this work in the photos appears to change color completely.  It appears to be a dark-colored piece on a light background, and it appears to be a light-colored piece on a dark-colored background. Since the space did not have any control over the light from outside, the background changed one after another, depending on the time of day and the weather, giving the piece completely different looks. I have been seeing this piece for more than 10 years, but I always find something new about this work.