Wabi-sabi – A life of Fulfillment (Part II)
Photo: Inkeri Jantti
The Japanese weather at that time was unpredictable. So my consciousness was constantly aroused by the natural drama. Since the environment was new to me I was exhilarated to feel the surrounding with a delusional state of mind. Delusion can be so powerful as it gave me enormous strength to search my symbol and object to nurture my creativity. I was a constant observer. Every morning at 6, at 12 – I heard a melody coming from somewhere to encourage and encounter my soul. It was not the perfect time of 'Sakura' Cheery blossom but that's why I missed their white and pink beauty in nature. The depression inspired me to create imaginary Kimono by artificial fabric and it was at the display at the exhibition at the end of the residency program. Culinary Japanese cuisine and the traditional food was a perfect blend to entangle with the culture. The raw fish, live squid, various types of Soba, udon and noodles were the core ingredient to understand a food habit which truly inspired me to understand a simple and pure yet very artistic delicacy. I would never know that Japanese rice can be so juicy if I didn't have it in my mouth to feel its rich authentic texture.
Every ingredient of their food items got a meaning. And I felt "Itadakimasu" meaning "I will have this " It is used before eating any food to express appreciation and respect for life, nature, the person who prepared the food, the person who served the food, and everything else that is related to eating.
It was 'Ukiyo' for me, as I was in 'the floating world' – living in the moment detached from the bothers of life. I was watching Charlotte the video artist from Quebec, continuously researching on her old television, tape recorder, sound and unknown fonts in collaboration with visual collages, and I was busy transforming my usable objects into art. I used soba, bamboo leaves, fish and gold papers to mark my experimental art in my residency. I was planning to have an integrated exhibition to showcase my experience. InkeriJantti was focusing for the shots on Ayami (a young Japanese woman), who supports art and other humanitarian activities. I collaborated with her warm body surface to create a dialogue through painting and performance. I wanted my soul to be free to react to any kind of emotional and visual symbols. InkeriJantti took Ayami to the woods and beach to explore her inner spirit by the breeze of ocean and spark of the nature. It inspired me immensely. I took my SLR and through the canal of Fukuoka city near Tenjin and Hakata to capture my 'Hotaru', a 'Firefly' series. Japan at night is surrounded by lights which reflect on the canal creating a magical yet mysterious atmosphere. It drew me into a world of illumination; with my SLR and my curious mind I walked miles after miles. When I close my eyes I still can feel the silence of nature and all those lights that come through the leaves, 'Komorebi'. I believe a complete artist should be able to bathe in the forest, he or she should be able to consent encounters with no fear. An artist should always want to be at the end of the world, meet new, strange and weird people who can stir their artistic ability to test their limits.
My intention was to challenge my own style and media of work. I enjoy the process of evolution. So the isolation at the residency allows me to deals with interesting symbols, motifs and identities of Japanese culture and environment. It's not at all similar as ours rather it's almost opposite. I accepted the fact that I am pretty resilient to those weird bugs, cockroaches and spiders around me more than my fellow artist friends as those were not very common to them. But it was exciting and fun to be around with all of it.
We met several local artists of Itoshima, Fukuoka. Mainly they are pottery artists. In Japan, pottery is a huge aesthetic craft; and their dedication and belief in their craft really made me humble.
"Simplicity can be so attractive and being humble can be so precious" – I learnt once again.
I observed local Japanese women very carefully, they are free, confident and inspired. Each morning we greeted each other with a beautiful word, 'Konichiwa' or Hello.
Shrines, interesting looking religious structures were a major part of Japan. The place is so serene that I never felt the presence of anyone else. That is because in their deepest silence, no one knows they are chanting around and in the Shrine. At night, the sky looked dark indigo. Starts be gazing at us. I remember sometime when I was coming back from the city by the last train at 11 pm; I used to walk through the paddy field in complete darkness. I never felt alone. The gentle breeze was giving me
company, the golden moon walked all the way with me. At times, I could not stop my tears from falling. I could not believe that I am at that situation and place where I am completely free to feel anything that comes to my mind and to think without fear. I was actually living my mind, spirit and soul. It increased my ability to create on my surface with full freedom. So, my watercolor on Japanese handmade paper was allowing me to float on a fluid direction of abundance of nature. It is amazing to realise how an environment can affect one's artistic process. And to give this opportunity to myself, I chose artist-in-residence program to be with me time to time.
To be continued to next week...
The writer is Visual Artist, Preema's Atelier, President-WIL(Women in Leadership)