This newly commissioned performance brings to life the works on view in Kazuko Miyamoto: To perform a line (exhibition now extended through July 24). Yoshiko Chuma, conceptual performing artist, dancer, choreographer and director of The School of Hard Knocks, combines movement and improvised music, erasing the boundaries between onstage and backstage, and between artistic practices. In 1979, Chuma performed among Miyamoto’s string constructions installed as part of the artist’s solo exhibition at A.I.R. Gallery (Yoshiko Chuma in Kazuko Miyamoto: A Girl on Trail Dinosaur). Now, Chuma reconnects with Miyamoto through this event, which runs throughout the entire gallery space. The performance also features three musicians: double bassist Robert Black, viola and violinist Jason Kao Hwang and trombonist Christopher McIntyre.
Concept and direction by Yoshiko Chuma, Artistic Director of The School of Hard Knocks.
When I was told, “You can do whatever you want,” my tension was maxed out. As soon as the performance started, I wondered if someone other than me had walked in, and the camera was moving and taking pictures extremely freely! I can’t immerse myself in editing work at all, even though my heart is excited. Wait for the momentary timing “NOW”, and the ignition of the heart.
Orin and I should go to New York City more often. Otherwise, all museums are far away from us. Finally, we went to the Dia Beacon (Museum) and spent hours inside. Ah, art is so much fun after all.
Orin’s friend, Denny. He runs a traveling antique museum called “the Museum of Interesting Things”. The other day he stopped by on his way to show an old film in Albany. Rather than the so-called jewelry antiques, his museum is dominated by really retro and nostalgic toys, machine industry products, old films, and everyday items. Space-time is rewound just by looking at the huge amount of “interesting things” he has collected so far.
Recently, because of my needs I’ve been looking for things. Every time I move, I’m reducing my luggage, so most of my things now are not many boxes and bags, and the rest are thrown into the drawers. Though I don’t have many things, I can’t find what I need easily. It’s funny, while I’m going through things, I find something outrageous (again), and time stops at a little note. When I left Arizona, I was packing, and some of the boxes seemed to be unorganized, yet I guess I put them inside, and the first book that caught my eye when I opened a box was “Who is Malcolm X?” by Maroko Oji (real name is S.I.).
“The soul weighs just 50 grams.” ,,, This message is from a friend S.I who passed away in the year 2008, November.
Perhaps it was before 2001, I hurried to line up in the morning to put up a flier at a Japanese grocery store. Since the bulletin board has limited space, many people come early with their own ads and fliers. There was already the first person in front of me, that was S.I. He had a print of a political document film screening announcement, where we both introduced ourselves and looked at each other’s posters until the store opened. As for mine, it must have been the information about my acquaintance’s house sublet.
After that, I participated in the xx meetings, which been started by S.I. and his friends with the purpose of “discussing world problem issues”. Then we became estranged after a long time. Occasionally when I met him by chance, like a child of the Beatles, he was walking dashingly with a guitar on his back.
For the last few years he had been in and out of hospital, but he was fine. He often asked me to go Sushi store, “Sushi makes me feels healthy and good when I eat, so please buy them.” He also came to the gig of Orin’s country rock group F.o.K / Fist of Kindness, and they both talked about music theory.
For some reason he has no family. Finally he realized that he couldn’t leave the hospital anymore, one day his friends called me to clear up his room. S.I.’s desk, bookshelf, kitchen, storage, everything was in order, yet it was like a world of wabi-sabi/quiet & silent/loneliness. Probably it was a treatment for a bed bug while S.I. absence, the white powder sprinkled by the landlord accumulated, and everyone looked at each other for a moment. Things to leave for a separated family, things to give, things to put in a warehouse, things to send, things to dispose of, even though they are so neat and tidy, they are not tidied up at all. Luggage appears one after another. It seems to be S.I., he will never show his insight, but he seems to give a glimpse of each thought and life in a philanthropic manner.
At last we can see the end, and just carry them to warehouse by rental truck, so I was leaving. I was told that I should take anything that was left because they must throw things away, but then I can’t say that I want everything in the kitchen. S.I. was also a strong Macrobiotic follower, and definitely he was choosing the tableware, pot kettle, chopsticks and seasonings to be all organic! What is diet! Why did he get sick! I’m so sorry. A weight scale caught in my eyes, so I got it and went home.
Soon, one evening, when I was heading to the subway to visit him, I heard S.I.’s voice right behind me: Okay, Sanae-san, you don’t have to come. I’ll die soon.
The scale I received was good to use always, but no matter how I adjust it after a certain time, the needle is not always 0 and the 50g display is moving. That night, when I was disgusted and put it in the trash, S.I. appeared in my dream. He is very angry. “Why did you throw it away, the scale! Did I say that you forgot? I’ll tell you what you know after I die. The soul weighs 50 grams. I wanted to let you know that. “
Is that 50 grams staying on this earth due to gravity? In which dimension is the soul? Can it be regarded simply as energy? What about all living things, maybe only he himself weighs 50 grams? If S.I.’s soul/spirit still has his own personality, I’m hoping he’ll probably give an answer.
We went out to support with the Zoom broadcast of the “SJAC 2022 Exhibition” opening and the photography of the venue scenery. There were quite many spectacular works, moreover we were able to meet many friends and time went by so quickly.
Today is the birthday of my sister and the birthday of my dear friend Saya, who lives in France. From time to time, Saya wrote that she was/is playing harmonica to the calves on the ranch in the neighborhood: how she & Vivien discovered the old statue of Mary at the end of the weeds/bush; about their music composition activities and going out to the sea, etc. It’s as exciting as the long-awaited picture book.
京都,４５年前. 翌日彼女はフランスに旅立った：45 years ago, Kyoto/Japan. the next day she flew to France
“Shabon-dama/Soap bubbles” … Saya plays harmonica in this song to the calves as a requiem for the ephemeral life of these children who will eventually be taken to the slaughterhouse. Of course, she mentioned that it also overlaps with the feelings of this children’s song writer, Noguchi Ujo, who lost his daughter at a young age.
サヤのハモニカの音色に走り寄ってくる仔牛たち：Calves running up to the tone of the harmonica
サヤとビビエンは海が大好き。思いっきり遊んでね。
Saya and Vivien love the sea. Play as much as you can！
ジャック・タチゆかりの海岸：The coast associated with Jacques Tati
Kazuko Miyamoto, the owner of a long-established gallery in Lower Manhattan called Gallery onetwentyeight, is an artist and has an extraordinary generosity. She knew young Jimi Hendrix, also she has earned the most artworld credibility as an assistant to Sol LeWitt. At the same time Kazuko has continued to fascinate us with her extraordinary artistic versatility and musical talent. I’m/we’re so happy. Congratulations!
It’s her birthday. Congratulations. At the end of last year, I mentioned her name a little on my blog “Is Prince a Hanuman?” Unparalleled singing ability, an overwhelming presence that transcended the boundaries of the Japanese song(entertainer) world at that time. Occasionally, her dignified singing voice revives.
Mica who is my long term friend wrote to us that her twin sister Idel made such so fantastic dress! I too know how Idel’s sense of fashion art is great, so Mica’s art & photography sense too. This news made me happy as if it brings spring. Here her email goes;
“hey fam and friends i can’t help being so mad clucky proud of my quietly brilliant little sissy Idel whipping up this complicated eloquent open tulle skirt for her friend chuck’s dance performance in one crazy week !!! yes she is haitian but she sure can be quick when it counts”
