No, I shouldn’t write “performance”. I played a little at a friend’s art opening. I’m a beginner. J, who has been teaching kalimba to me, couldn’t come, so I improvised and played “Butterfly”, “London Bridge is Falling Down”, “The Bee Flies”, and “Dance of the Rabbit”. Kazuko, the owner of the gallery, and Y also sang, and it seems that the event went smoothly. I am so grateful to everyone for giving me this opportunity.
photo by S.O.Gこちらは、ユニオンスクエアでのイベント：the closing event for the LOV sculpture in Union SQ
This year, the annual exhibition of SJAC/Society of Japanese and American Creators was held as usual. Although I have been one of the directors since the inception in 2017, I didn’t really contribute much beyond flying back to NYC to do some video interviews and take some photos. But of course, in the meantime, it continues to serve as a venue for many wonderful artists and members to showcase their work, and I’m very happy to see that SJAC itself has become well established in New York.
On April 11th, I received a pleasant message from Saya from France saying that she had sent me a treasure box/tamatebako/small parcel. It’s an express delivery so it should arrive in about a week. That’s it. However, it became a lonely song of “Yoimachi-gusa/matsuyoi-gusa” saying something like no matter how much I wait, there is someone(small parcel) who never comes. Apparently, due to some mistake was occurred, my zip cord was incorrect, they say. (they changed 11210 to 11201 !) I simply thought that since the address and my name were correct, it should be forwarded to my zip# area. But sadly it turned out that there was no one matching the destination (wrong writing zip #), and a parcel was returned to France. . What is this? I’ll be leaving New York sooner or later, so maybe this happen was premonition to look ahead to the future?
Today is the installation date for the Fridge Art Show hosted by Eric Ginsberg. (<– click to find its detail) I included two objects and three short videos. (“IMPERMANENCE” “A tale of Mimi and Lou-lou” and “Shadows Walking Along the Hudson River” ) The venue is a hotel in the Seaport area, and the event starts tomorrow, so check back soon. Fridge Art Far Video Lounge <– you can watch participant’s videos
Fridge Art Fair logo by Eric Ginsberg” fairy’s nest “” hermit crab “seaport area
Judi Harvest. I went to see an exhibition with friends of Judi’s recent works. Her keen eye consistently looks at the earth and the ecological environment, and she transforms fascinating subjects such as Buddha, bees, bats, plants, and fruits into canvases, glasswork, and sculptures. It takes us to the depths also giving us a deeper understanding.
Judy has built a bee garden in Murano (province of Venice/Italy), which is famous for its glass industry, and now bees are flying around among the flowers. Last summer, Orin’s ashes were scattered at the base of a large pomegranate tree in her garden. I’m very grateful.
ジュディのミツバチ園、ムラノ・ベニス：Bee Garden in Murano, Venice/Italywith Judiwith T-chan & A.Y-san
キュレーターは越光桂子さん、ポスター制作はトニー・サハラさん : Curated by Keiko Koshimitsu, Poster by Tony Sahara
“Untitled; the endless dance but hopefully not” by Orin Buck : 『無題；終わりの無いダンス、そうならないことを願うけど』 オリン・バック“The City Lights or in the Starry Night” by Sanae M. Buck：『都会の燈、または星降る夜』 バック・早苗
All of us participating artists, who are thinking about our homeland, have finished hanging our hearts together. Thank you to Rabbit House for providing the venue and to Mr. Hanaoka from Japan. N.W-san, please join us next year.
It was November of the year before last, and we were still in upstate Newburgh. On a slightly warm late fall day, we walked along the promenade along the Hudson River, which was our usual route. If we move, we won’t be able to come here as much as we do now, so we naturally recorded these areas on video! We started taking pictures with each one’s cell phone. My shot was very blurry, but as expected, Orin’s shot was accurate. What was also interesting was that the setting sun made the shadow of Orin, who was taking the video, stand out, as if someone mysterious was walking along the riverbank. . This seemed to have an unexpected video scene effect on Orin as well.
Orin would be leaving a few months later…since then I almost didn’t get anything done, however in the late fall of last year, almost a year after that day, I finally…! I was able to finish editing. I asked Benjamin who is our friend and composer to create the soundtrack. He and Orin have often experimented with modern electronic music collaborations that are truly rich, delicate, dramatic, and sharp in video and sound. I’m proud of them both. Let me do uploading the video soon.
This year marks the 25th anniversary since the founding of Wah Salon Show. Mary Westling and Orin Buck, both of two has been involved in the establishment from the beginning so in curator’s favor, their artworks are also on special display. If we are talking about the number 25 alone, it is also the date of Orin’s departure. Moreover, on February 25th, during the exhibition period, also marks the first anniversary of Orin’s death, and I cannot express my gratitude enough for this meaningful coincidence.
Yesterday I was a little somber, talked a little with some friends, and celebrated my wedding anniversary by myself. We were also indifferent to the celebrations of the world, so we decided to celebrate by making any day we felt like a “birthday or something else”, so even when I look back on it, I only have a vague memory of it. There are no highlights (?!) that I have. However, the years of Newburgh is filled with memories that came with Orin’s battle with his illness, and I also remember buying wine and celebrating together.
Oh my God! In 2016, at the suggestion of the owner of a 128 gallery with whom we have a good relationship, even if it was just a few days, Orin held an exhibition of small art pieces. Moreover, the opening was October 4th! Now I think that it was the best gift for our one-day late wedding anniversary. Thank you thank you. Both I and Orin are truly blessed by people. Thanks again.
My longtime friend Shinko Taguchi will hold a solo exhibition from July 10th. Her new work conveys how she builds her career with her own breathing and her steps. It’s a heartwarming title, but it’s also a concept that condenses her view of the world.
I picked up the one of Orin’s old drawings for participating him to the Group show. He drew this one was his age 15 years old, he had to be in Michigan/Ann Arbor. The scene at that time comes to mind. At the same time, Orin really has left! The fact makes me cry.
