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.

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.  

 

Artist Talk at WSU ADCI

Thanks to WSU ADCI, my event and the installation were included in the series called Public Art Series which was their featured series for this semester.  I am grateful that I had an opportunity to do an artist talk in conjunction with my event and exhibition.  This was the first time for me to do an artist talk at my alma matter sharing my artistic journey after I graduated.  Thank you so much to the people who attended the event!  I was very nervous and read the script more than usual.  Other than that, it was fun because I love PowerPoint! I hope I will have more opportunities like this in the future.  

I was so glad to be back at WSU in this season.  Loved seeing Tom Otterness's Millie and the tulips and Andy Goldsworthy's  Wichita Arch with redbud trees.  

The golden elevator in McKnight hasn't changed in years.  I turned around and to my surprise, there was a handsome poster with my name on it!  Jeff Pulaski, a graphic design professor and the director of WSU ADCI created this eye-catching poster and posted on the door inside the elevator.