1st Period

The image shows a little of what 1st period was like. The class was small (18 students) compared to the larger ones I’d have later. The sun was bright and instead of working in a studio or art classroom, it was a regular classroom with desks. It was the English classroom for 9th graders. The room also had a sink with warm/hot water and that made a big difference.

Class periods were short though (50 minutes, but it was probably more like 40) and I rushed to have students finish the two pieces I’d had planned. The last two classes only managed one, but that may have been more realistic. Students in the last class received more individual attention and I enjoyed the one on one encounters.

The only thing that kept me guessing was the center of attention:  the indigo dye vat. I never could be sure the results were dark enough, especially with the short time factor.  In the end, the pieces darkened and students loved their work.

I should also mention and commend their highly energetic and enthusiastic teacher who welcomed me into her classroom so that this event could take place. It was a bold and brave move on her part (as it was an art project, not English), since she risked having drips and splatters of indigo all around her classroom (not to mention the odor). The students were equally as enthusiastic, so the day was high energy and a lot of fun. Their pieces also turned out well in my estimation, although at this point in time, I have no other images to share – I was working.

When I opened materials for this year’s fall event, I was surprised to see the black and white postcard as opposed to the usual in color – sign of the times I suppose.  However, the important message is still there and it’s upcoming.  I’ll be there with silk scarves, furoshiki and a few other items all hand dyed and in shibori.

If, by chance you are in the area, please feel free to drop by and at least come by the booth.  I’d love to see you.

Rockers

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

Stunning is one of many words I might use to describe the environment I’ve been in the last couple of days. There are many others and I don’t know which one describes it best. Needless to say, it was, culturally, a different environment from ones I’ve encountered before. It was delicious to say the least.

Classes in this particular situation, at this time, were small and that makes a difference in any teaching situation. As a result, I was much more at ease and informal in my approach.

I was there to introduce them to indigo dyeing, shibori and as an extra added “bonus, ” silk. If I could have toted silkworms, I would have, but I did bring along images, silk cocoons and a few hankies.

It seemed the students were very receptive to these short workshops and enjoyed the results from their brief exercises. We began with silk handkerchiefs as a warm up to the process, then moved on to the challenge of working with a larger scarf. In some cases, they were very “gymnastic” with their approach, but the results were bold and exciting (which is probably why I like working with students).

CA-prep1

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

The last couple of days have been filled with organizing, planning and packing up what I need for only 2 days, but six mini-workshops for 9th graders in a nearby high school.

It’s my first series in this school year, and like being able to start out with my favorite subject matter, aizome shibori. I also enjoy the age group, so it should be an enjoyable experience.

They’ll be introduced to the indigo dye vat working with silk scarves and handkerchiefs. This also gives me an opportunity to introduce the topic of silk production and I’m looking forward to that.

I found this image on a search for onishi – gargoyles and was surprised and amused by the imagery. Wouldn’t they be fun to make? I would love these on my front porch.

Painting/Dyeing

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

I spent my morning at Artspace observing a friend teaching 5th graders the art of Batik. She’s been doing this for some years now, but the idea of teaching this with hot beeswax especially to such young students seemed daunting. It can be done, though, and Emily showed me how she does it.

She had a room with a lot of space, tables spread out so that each activity took place at a different station. Safety was top priority and the students took their activity seriously and followed through, as expected, with no mishaps. She took them through each clearly defined step in a carefully orchestrated sequence, giving the students ample time to work as needed. The students didn’t seem at all daunted by the medium and did their work with care. They were engaged in their drawing and painting and in one hour’s time, each student produced on piece measuring roughly 12 x 12 inches square.

The morning passed quickly and when I finally returned home, I realized I wasn’t tired, but refreshed. I’m sure there were many reasons for it, but mostly, I think it was the children and their creativity.

One of my many favorites on NHK is “Landscape Sounds.” I don’t always watch it right away. I capture it to savor later and sometimes it rewards. Recently the show focused on the bubbling sounds of Kurozu or black vinegar. The beginning images focused on the shokunin or “craftsmen” who tirelessly spend their time going to each individual pot of fermenting rice or barley, removing the lid from each clay pot, listening, stirring then marking it by putting a pebble on the lid.

Then, the camera pulled away from the craftsmen to reveal a landscape filled with hundreds of rows lined with heavy clay pots and the looming presence of a particular volcano in the background.  The mountain, of course is Sakurajima and the prefecture where this particular vinegar is produced is Kagoshima.

Apparently, Kurozu or black vinegar has been produced in cities such as Fukuyama, Kirishima since the Edo period.  It’s thought to have high nutritional value and is apparently popular in different forms throughout the country.

I don’t know whether my mother ever used it in her cooking and I doubt it was kurozu that the vendor gave me at the small, open-air, green grocer across the street when I gave her the empty vinegar bottle and asked for a refill of su or vinegar.

My first camera cost 100￥ or equivalent to a little over a quarter, at that point in time. Today, it might compare to roughly a dollar. I was in my upper elementary school years.  I bought my film from someone in the neighborhood who might have been a photographer and made a little extra on the side by selling and developing film. All I remember is that he was close by, could develop my film quickly and very inexpensively. I still have those early negatives and for the first time in many years, I’ve been looking at them.

I recently bought an inexpensive (not recommended) negative/slide scanner and have been revisiting  childhood. Some of the images are crisp and clear while others are blurry, skewed or are double exposures. Of course, that makes the viewing frustrating. On the other hand, it’s a suggestion, enough to validate some aspect of the “story” I’m looking for. At this point, sometimes that’s good enough. It takes me back and in a way, I’m looking through the lens of that 100 yen camera again.

Process3

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

Several years ago, I began working on a series of jackets (I still have a few left to work with). As I worked with manipulating the fabric I realized there was much more to shibori than I’d given thought to. At that point, the focus was pattern and dye results (and of course, it still is). So, I documented some of the results (before dyeing and untying).

I ran across these images recently while cleaning out files on my computer and I return to thoughts on process again, but I also think about form and the various ways of approaching it.

painted koi

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

After a meeting with one of the sensei I’ll be working with later this fall, it seemed that further play was in order. I need to make more samples for the kids. This won’t be one since this was needed play for me, but the thought came through on the same wave.

I think I must have needed to push some paint. Besides, I’d bought some oil paint sticks and hadn’t played with them. I also have tubes of paint long ignored, so this seemed the perfect venue.

If I had longer with the kids, I think I would go in this direction, but as each class is only 45 minutes (and actually it comes to less in reality) and I see each class only once, time is of the essence and materials have to be fairly quick drying. The kids will “play” with suggested imagery though and I hope to see a lot of variation in their work.

I’m still a few weeks out from any workshops and I have to admit, I’m enjoying the time to play, experiment and work on the upcoming.