Naomi

Q: What is medium of art you deal with?

I generally work with print since I am in Graphic Design, but I dabble in photography and have a secret passion for jewelry making.

Q: When did you start becoming dedicated to your means of artistic expression? What was the trigger?

Since I was a child, I've always loved drawing. I couldn't speak English very well so I may have started to draw as a means of communication. Now, I try to communicate ideas with my graphic design. In that sense, I haven't changed too much in 20 years.

Q: What / Where do you get your inspirations from?

Its hard for me to pinpoint where all my inspiration comes from, but my designs do gravitate towards being natural and organic. I love taking photos of nature and going on nature walks through the park and to the beach. I also try to read a lot of books and go to museums and just be actively looking for good designs around me.

Q: What made you join this SIR exhibition?

My friend Keiko Moriyama invited me to one of the exhibitions. Around the same time, I was actually looking for artists that shared similar cultural influences and ideas so I am very grateful about the SIR group's existence. I'm not as involved in the group yet as I'd like to be, but its great to know that there is somewhere you can go to share your ideas.

Q: Tell us a little bit about your vision of your art work at the show "FIRE." How do you interpret the theme "FIRE" as one of the Four Elements of the nature?

For the fire show, I plan to do a mix media piece focusing on life and death fire creates. Several months ago, I went to Angel Island for a hiking trip. This was several weeks after 80% of the island was destroyed by the forest fire. It was a devastating sight with the scorched black ground and dead trees, but after a closer look, we found new life growing through the blackened soil. The contrast between the bright green plants growing out of the black soil was a beautiful sight. This image of life after death stuck with me and I felt it was something I wanted to recreate for the show.

Q: Do you love Japan?

Yes. I love the culture and the art. Japanese art especially speaks to me in so many ways. I would like to pursue my studies about Japanese design.

Q: Do you have any message to the audience ..

Thanks for reading, and I hope all the exhibited works can give inspiration to everyone who attends.

Nao

voice merchant

1st session of "voice merchant" on youtube.
Enjoy with HD quality!
Big Thanks for Yoshi

Choreography Showcase

noa- (livepainting) will collaborate with Modan Dance Movement.

SPF4 presents raw & uncut
"Choreography showcase"

Kelly Del Rosario, Mayuko Ayabe + noa-
Lisa Tilch
Nicole Zvarik
Lizzie Moves Co
Marcia Lusalva

July 8-9, Wed - Thur
8pm
$10-20

The Garare
975 Howard St, bwn 5th & 6th
(415)885-4006
www.975howard.com
Look for the red door

Art Installation by Aoi Yamaguchi
「　• と ー」　
点と線
A Dot and A Line

A letter consists essentially of dots and lines and philosophically, people communicate through these simple man-made symbols. Japanese calligrapher Aoi Yamaguchi explores new possibilities for the ancient art of calligraphy - juxtaposing traditional with contemporary styles.
www.glamourousmonochrome.com

文字というものは、点と線で成り立っている。人々は、古代からこの単純明快であり複雑な文字という記号によって意思伝達を行ってきた。現代に発達し伝承さ れて来たこの文字という歴史哲学をアートとして表現すべく、書家山口碧生による、伝統芸術「書道」の新たなる可能性を探るインスタレーション。

Opening Reception: Sunday July 5, 2009
Music by 8 doors / Hakobo
Exhibition through Sunday August 23, 2009　

@Guerilla Cafe
1620 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94709

Akira

Q: What is medium of art you deal with?

Anything (Mix Media)

Q: When did you start becoming dedicated to your means of artistic expression? What was the trigger?

Since I left Japan to North America when I was 15.

Graffiti was the trigger. 

Q: What / Where do you get your inspirations from?

My inspirations and interest is based on humanism and naturalism to understand the human soul and the law of nature.

Q: What made you join this SIR exhibition?

Through, Natuki, aka Lavit Sea.

Good vibration.

Q: Tell us a little bit about your vision of your art work at the show"WATER." How do you interpret the theme "WATER" as one of the Four Elements of the nature?

Subconscious Flow

Q: Do you love Japan?

Yes!

Q: Do you have any message to the audience ..

Let's have fun!

Satoshi

Q: What is medium of art you deal with?

Mostly, oill paint. I wanna try acrylic more.

Q: When did you start becoming dedicated to your means of artistic expression? What was the trigger?

When I was kid, my parents didn't let me buy video games. Instead, they gave me paper, pencil, and "Lego". They were my trigger I guess. I really appreciate their decision.

Q: What / Where do you get your inspirations from?

People. They are so interesting. They ignite my creative imagination.

Q: What made you join this SIR exhibition?

My friend Natuki, aka Lavit Sea gave me the oppotunity. Thanx.

Q: Tell us a little bit about your vision of your art work at the show"WATER." How do you interpret the theme "WATER" as one of the Four Elements of the nature?

My first impression of water is blue. I would stick with simply the color. Water makes up 60% of our body. It is an element that we all share no matter where we are from. That's what I think.

Q: Do you love Japan?

Yeah. Food, People, Culture.

Q: Do you have any message to the audience ..

Please enjoy the show. I'm watching you guys because you would be my inspiration. I will also do my best to inspire you.

Yasuharu Fujiya

Yasuharu Fujiya
Currently residing in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. For the "WATER" show, he's flying to SF to join the exhibition & live painting.

Q: What is medium of art you deal with?

Drawing

Q: When did you start becoming dedicated to your means of artistic expression? What was the trigger?

そこにペンと紙があった。幼い頃、それらを手に取り無我夢中の境地を知った。以来、今に至るまで変わらず描き続けている。
I found a pen and a piece of paper lying there. When I was little, I held the pen and paper, and discovered myself thrown into ecstasy over drawing. Since then, I still continue drawing until today.

Q: What / Where do you get your inspirations from?

自分以外の存在全て。
From everything except myself.

Q: What made you join this SIR exhibition?

札幌から世界へ出る第一歩としての場に選んだ。
I chose SIR exhibition as a place to step out from my hometown Sapporo to the foreign world for the first time in my life.

Q: Tell us a little bit about your vision of your art work at the show"WATER." How do you interpret the theme "WATER" as one of the Four Elements of the nature?

水とは掴み所がない。手ですくえば隙間から漏れていく。形がないからだ。しかし形がないゆえに、あらゆる形状の容器や空間に収まる事が出来る。つまり、どのような状況にも対応出来るしなやかさを持っている。これは芸術の一つの理想。自由の獲得。水が「自由」を教えてくれる。自分の作品、ライヴドローイングにもこの理念が反映されている。
The water is elusive - it leaks through gaps between your fingers when you cup it with your hand, because water has no shape. However, water can fit in any type of container or space because of its shapelessness. Thus, water is flexible and capable of coping with any situations. It is ideal in the world of art - meaning gaining freedom. Water teaches me what the freedom is. This philosophy is reflecting my art works and live drawings.


Ｑ:Do you love Japan?

考えた事がない。「日本」とは余りに大きな存在で漠然としたもの。抱きかかえられない。足元の路上と頭上の空に愛と憎しみを注ぐので精一杯な自分がいる。でもそんな身近な世界に世界共通の普遍性があると信じている。
I have never thought of it. The idea of "Japan" is too big and vague for me. I can't hold it. All I can do is to pour the love and hate onto the street under my foot and to the sky above my head. But I believe that there is universality, which can be found worldwide, in this world where I exist.

Q: Do you have any message to the audience ..
スライを生んだ街サンフランシスコ！行くのが楽しみです。ぜひ会場に遊びに来て下さい。
San Francisco, where Sly was born! I look forward to visit. Please visit the venue for the show!


Answers in Japanese by Yasuharu Fujiya
Translated by Aoi