Botanica Fall Project -- Installing a Nest and Origami Cranes

This is the site for the nest.  I made the nest by interlocking the twigs and tree sticks, without any wires nor nails, just like birds do.  

A load of sticks  

I see weddings going on almost everyday.  Congratulations!  Now the cranes were installed.

This site gets gorgeous shadows in sunny afternoons

Black and white view

Shadow crane

While I was making it, people came in to the nest and started taking photos one after another.  Love it!

Completed views of my outdoor installation "Prairie Origami Cranes and Nest"

My cranes move!

This piece is going to be up there for the month of October.  The artist statement is here.

Botanica

701 Amidon St, Wichita, KS 67203

(316)264-0448

9:00am - 5:00pm

Botanica Fall Project -- Making of the Origami Crane Element

After some brainstorming, I decided to make a mobile origami cranes and their nest for the site of the arbor and pathway area.
Since it is outdoor, strong and durable materials were needed for the armature.  So with the steel rods,  I made a simplified but good enough design to suggest the form of an origami crane.

After measuring, cutting and bending the steel rods, I got a help with welding part.  

I did put a helmet, though, to assist him.  Here is my selfie. 

Nine cranes were made.  They have slightly different postures.

Then I added the twines and the wires.  They serve as an armature for the surface.

Natural materials such as tall grasses, twigs, and leaves were inserted to the surface and they were ready to be installed at the site in Botanica.

Botanica Fall Project -- Choosing the Sites

I am making outdoor installations at Botanica, a botanical garden in Wichita, KS. This is a part of the October event at Botanica.  These outdoor art works are going to be featured at an big event called Bootanica, which attracts about 5,000 people.  I am one of the four artists who are making sculptures and installation for this project.  We are going to make some fall themed works as well as some pumpkin oriented works.  We decided to collaborate in some parts of the project.   I'm going to show the process of making the works in the next couple of blogs.

In August, we visited Botanica to look for the potential sites for our works.  I was attracted to these two particular areas;  one is the arbor and the pathway area with circular windows and another is the circular shaped seating area with waterfalls. They are juxtaposed to each other in the same garden called Beverly R. Blue Teaching Garden.

Site 1

I like these circular windows.  They remind me of the circular windows at Japanese traditional rooms which we often see in architectures in old places like Kyoto.

Site 2

This area looks like an amphitheater.  The waterfalls sound like singing from the stage.  

Video Session for Installation "Rewinding" and Dance Performance

     My installation piece "Rewinding" is a very emotional piece expressing various human conditions.  I was hoping to collaborate with a dancer and film the dance performance interacting with the piece. I am so glad that this video session happened today thanks to my friends' help.  Can't wait for the finished product including my interview and narration.  Videographer: Kylie Brown, Dancer: Rheanna Johnston, Choreographer: Brooke Johnston  Photos: Chiyoko Myose

Only a Couple of Days Left

My solo exhibition at Carriage Factory Gallery in Newton, KS is ending soon.  I will miss the show.  Many threads were added to the installation piece and quite a lot of  paintings have found their new home.  They will go to different counties in Kansas including Harvey County, McPherson County, and Sedgwick County.  One painting will go all the way to Florida!  Only a couple of days left till the end of the show. 

3 AM in Sojourner's Journey
May 30 - July 18
Carriage Factory Art Gallery
128 E. Sixth Street, Newton, KS, 67114
(316)284-2749

Open Hours:
Tue- Fri, Noon - 5:00pm

Sat. 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

3 AM in Sojourner's Journey at Carriage Factory Gallery in Newton, KS

Thank you to those of you who already visited my solo exhibition at Carriage Factory Gallery in Newton KS!  I have been to the city of Newton several times and got to know the town better now.  What a lovely town with cute shops, restaurants, old historical buildings, and a railway station!

This railway station is the reason for the title of the show, "3 AM in Sojourner's Journey -- East Meets West"  This is the closest passenger train station to the place where I live, which makes it very significant for me.  It is the beginning of the journey to anywhere.  I learned that the Amtrak trains from the east and from the west meet near Newton once a day, around 3 AM.  Literally,people coming from the west meet people coming from the east meet here.  I feel this is what happens through my art.  I feel that as a person from the east, I can meet and communicate with people from the west through my art.  Here are some of the views of the railway station.

The gallery is just one street north of the railway station.  This is the outside view of the gallery.  This building is a historical building which used to be a carriage factory, but has been used as an art gallery and was renovated recently.  It is a three story building, and each floor is used for different function, for another show, the permanent exhibit, and the members' gallery.  It also has a little shop for small artworks to be purchased.  The gallery is also hosting art classes regularly.  The board president Susan Koehn described this gallery as a "smell the roses place."  I think it is.

The main gallery on the first floor where my solo exhibition is held has several partition walls which makes the space divide almost into separate rooms.  I took some panorama view photos of the show.  Hopefully, this will give you an idea what the show looks like.

I see more threads were added to my installation.  Thank you for participating in making this piece!   The show is still up through July 18th.  

3 AM in Sojourner's Journey
May 30 - July 18
Carriage Factory Art Gallery
128 E. Sixth Street, Newton, KS, 67114
(316)284-2749

Open Hours:
Tue- Fri, Noon - 5:00pm

Sat. 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Solo Exhibition -- 3 AM in Sojourner's Journey

Thank you so much to all of you who made it to the opening reception of my solo exhibition in Newton, KS yesterday!  It was a pleasant evening with a warm welcome by the people of Newton, a beautiful display, and soothing piano music.  I am so thankful for the great feedback about my art and artist talk.  More threads were added to my installation and some paintings found their new home.  I deeply appreciate Carriage Factory Gallery for having me and making this show happen.  If you missed the opening, this show is going to be up through July 18th.

3 AM in Sojourner's Journey
May 30 - July 18
Carriage Factory Art Gallery
128 E. Sixth Street, Newton, KS, 67114
(316)284-2749

Open Hours:
Tue- Fri, Noon - 5:00pm
Sat. 10:00 am - 5:00 pm