The Creative Reconstruction: Catastrophe & Art, Session 6 & 7 will be held over 2 consecutive periods. At Session 6, Mayumi Sugawara, an associate professor at Wakayama University, will be invited to give a talk under the theme, “The Meiji Restoration and Ukiyo-e”. At Session 7, Hideyuki Yanagisawa, Chief Curator of the Ohara Museum of Art, will be invited to give a talk under the theme, “Art Galleries/Museums and Disasters”.
Please come as anyone can take part.
(Akagi)
Date & Time: Nov. 20, Fri, 6th period, 16:45-18:00/7th period, 18:15-19:30
Venue: 5C416
Category Archives: Lessons
Itako Team: “Creating an Imaginary Itako Town with Tsukuba University Students!”
On Nov. 7, Saturday, a workshop, “Creating an Imaginary Itako Town with Tsukuba University Students!” was carried out at the Itako Citizens Cultural Festival. It was an event to create an imaginary town using empty boxes and paper cups.
Many children came and took part in making buildings, people and vehicles, using their imagination and available materials. The children made a balloon flying in the sky, a Ferris wheel, an aquarium and much more. We were constantly reminded of how highly creative children can be.
Some of the adults that came with the children also took part and got absorbed in the work, and we were all able to enjoy the process together as well.
As a stunt to attract people who would not take part in the creative process, easy-to-attach irises were handed out at the reception on the 1st floor of the building. As a result, people of a wide range of age groups came and we were able to complete the Itako Town with the participation of many people.
By the end of the day, we were thrilled to see the completion of a town so beautiful, something far better than what we had imagined at the start. What was most gratifying was the fact that, through the creative workshop, the children and the adults engaged in lively conversation among themselves. With our art project, we feel that we were able to link together the people of Itako. It would be our joy if, in their effort to reconstruct Itako, the web of the residents’ network were to further expand.
(Ogasawara, 4th Year at School of Art & Design)
Preview: Catastrophe & Art, Session 5
At the Creative Reconstruction: Catastrophe & Art, Session 5, Ryuichi Kaneko, part-time lecturer at Musashino Art University, will be invited to give a talk under the theme, “Hiroshima/Nagasaki and Contemporary Photography”.
Please come as anyone can attend.
(Akagi)
Date & Time: Nov. 13, Friday, 6th Period, 16:45-18:00
Venue: 5C416
Preview: Catastrophe & Art, Session 3 & 4
The Creative Reconstruction: Catastrophe & Art, Session 3 & 4 will be held over 2 consecutive periods. At the 6th period, Mari Komoto, Professor at Japan Women’s University, will be invited to give a talk under the theme, “World War I & Art”. At the 7th period, Hiroshi Murata, Professor at Atomi University, will give a talk under the theme, “Guernica”. Please come as anyone can take part.
(Akagi)
Date & Time: Oct. 23, Friday, 6th period, 16:45-18:00/7th period, 18:15-19:30
Venue: 5C416
Yui’s Pottery Project “Workshop 5, Party!”
On Oct. 11, Sunday, the 5th workshop was held.
Last time, the glaze was applied and the glost firing was carried out. Seeing the finished vessels, we heard people saying, “So this is how it has turned out!” and “Looking good!” Depending on how the glaze was applied, it was interesting to see how different the finished products were even though the same glaze was used.
The party menu consisted of curry rice, salad and fruit salad with shiratama (rice-flour dumplings). With the help of the participants who came in early to help, the preparation of the meal went very smoothly. When the food was served on the dishes that were self-made, it looked very special.
For those living in Namiki and could not come to the party, a live video was set up, and we said “Itadakimasu (an expression of gratitude before eating)” together. A meal eaten together with a large group is very good, the conversation was lively and we all had a great time.
This year’s workshop, totaling 5 sessions, is now over.
We feel that, this year, interaction among the participants took place particularly well and new networks were developed through the pottery experience. We believe that the heart and soul of the creators are embodied in every single vessel created. It would be our pleasure if every time they use the dishes people would remember the workshop and the network of people they had met. We would like to thank everyone who participated! Now, it is time for us to summarize our work this year and start thinking of a plan for next year. For those of you who would like to participate next year, please check the updates of our YUI Facebook page!
※ You can visit our page by clicking the Yui Team banner on the left of the screen.
(Miyake, 4th Year at School of Art & Design)
Yui’s Pottery Project “Workshop 4”
On Oct. 4, Sunday, one week after the 3rd workshop, the 4th workshop was held.
At the workshop this time, the final process was carried out for the completion of the vessels. The vessels prepared at the last workshop went through a biscuit firing and then the glaze was applied. Two kinds of glazes, “transparent (clear and smooth texture) glaze” and “Momi (rice husk) ash glaze (slightly rough texture)”, were used.
The applying of the glaze is a one-shot-only thing. The participants, with the finished images in mind, took on the challenge looking very serious. It might not be easy to see the outcome just by applying the glaze, but just wait till they come out of the glost firing!
With high expectations, the vessels were loaded into the kiln. After the glost firing, the vessels will finally be ready. At the next workshop on Oct. 11, Sunday, a lunch party will be held using the finished vessels. We are very much looking forward to next week.
(Miyake, 4th Year at School of Art & Design)
Preview: Catastrophe & Art, Session 2
At the Creative Reconstruction: Catastrophe & Art, Session 2, Eriko Kogo, Associate Professor at Meisei University, will be invited to give a talk under the theme, “Disasters and picture postcards: Samples from the Great Kanto Earthquake”.
Please come as anyone can take part.
(Akagi)
Date & Time: Oct. 9, Friday, 16:45-18:00
Venue: 5C416
Yui’s Pottery Project “Workshop III”
After a little break since the second workshop, Workshop III was held on Sept. 27!
This was the day of full participation, because it was the day of the actual shaping of the vessels.
First, what would be the base of the vessel was chosen from the 3 colors of clay, and then the clay was sliced into thin sheets.
When the base had been prepared, the next step was creating the parts for the designs. This was where the “Nerikomi blocks” made at Workshop II came in. The clay was cut into any shape or size as desired using cookie cutters and bamboo skewers.
Many of the parts created were shared among the participants!
The participants arranged the parts on the base as they wished, and original patterns were formed.
The last step was to press the base into the mold created at Workshop I, adjust to shape and it was done!
At first, the participants were having a hard time trying to decide on their designs, but in the afternoon, the mood totally changed. Everyone had ideas about their creation and the work moved on smoothly.
At the next meeting on Oct. 4, we will be putting the final touches to the works.
It looks like we can expect to see many wonderful vessels showing character and originality!
(Miyake, 4th Year at School of Art & Design)
Yui’s Pottery Project “Workshop II”
On Sept. 6, Sunday, Workshop II, “Tsuchi-dukuri”, was held.
First, a procedure called “Kiku-neri” to make the clay ready for the forming of the vessel was carried out. Kiku-neri is an important procedure to let out the air from the clay. The trick is in the way the hands are used and it can be quite a challenge. Though the participants kept saying how hard it was, they kept trying. They gradually got the knack of it and clay of very good quality was made.
Next, we made “Nerikomi blocks”, which are blocks of clay with patterns already set in them. The procedure went smoothly as the teams cooperated with one another.
It was a somewhat physically tough Workshop II, but there were more dialogs among the participants and it turned out to be a lively meeting.
The next meeting will be on Sept 27, Sunday, and we will be working on the main part of shaping the vessels. We are all looking forward to seeing what sort of vessels will be created!
(Miyake, 4th Year at School of Art & Design)
Yui’s Pottery Project “Workshop I”
Yui’s Pottery Project’s Workshop I was held on Sept. 5, Saturday. The mold, which will be the base of the vessel, was made.
What was done at this first workshop required much physical effort, such as shaping big chunks of clay and using large amounts of plaster.
The participants worked hard looking keen and serious, but we also saw many of them talking and smiling as they helped each other.
It is our joy to hear people say, “I’m so excited wondering how the vessels are going to turn out.”
At the second meeting on Sept. 6, we will be doing the “Tsuchi-dukuri”, which is a procedure to prepare the clay that will be used to create the vessels. Although the workshop will be held over two consecutive days, I hope that tomorrow will be just as much fun!
(Miyake, 4th Year at School of Art & Design)
