Experiencing Art

The island of Naoshima in Kagawa, Japan offers many surprises. Reached only by ferry, Naoshima's charm comes from its partial isolation and intimacy. The streets are lined with a mix of traditional and modern Japanese homes, emphasis on the traditional. As we walked through the small town, we received tickets to what they said would be 6 recreated Edo period homes. The first one we entered honestly bored me, but only because I didn't understand what I was looking at..

The next home had a wonderful Japanese garden in front. After admiring the nicely trimmed landscaping, we removed our shoes and entered a dark room. Once my eyes adjusted I realized the center of the room was missing the bamboo floor and instead had a giant black pool. In the pool were many one-digit digital displays producing a seemingly random progression on numbers and letters. I was mesmerized. It didn't take long to realize these recreated Edo homes we fused with contemporary art! It was no wonder the first home was so confusing!

My favorite of the buildings held an installation by James Turrell. No more than eight people could enter the large building at any one time. Each person is led into the building by assistants because inside it is pitch black (it's very scary not being able to see your hands in front of you). They sit you down on a bench after winding through the dark hallways. I sat staring into the darkness wondering what would come next. My eyes played tricks on me. Blobs of blacks floated around as my eyes attempted to cope with the darkness. After three minutes a gray rectangle suddenly appeared in the distance. Then we stood up very quietly and began to walk through the darkness to the faint light in the distance. The assistants stopped us a few feet from the box and proceed to tell us what we just experienced. The gray box had actually been on since we entered the room, but it was so faint it took multiple minutes for our eyes to adjust to seeing it. To top it off it really wasn't a gray rectangle it was a window into another giant room, lit too look like an even toned shade of gray.

From the experience I realized you don't always see what is right in front of you and when you do sometimes you can't understand the depth. I've never experienced art in such an all encompassing and profound way. By looking at light on a wall, I found a new appreciation for the world and how I see it.

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Credits

The cinemas in Osaka are of the highest quality. The other day I went to see Terminator 4 (not my choice) at Toho Cinemas in Umeda (A). I was blown away by the cleanliness and quality of the experience, although that is what I should expect for a ticket that costs ¥1,800 (about $18). They use all digital projectors which produces the best quality image I've seen at a theater. Though impressed by the experience, I realize you can get the same in the US. What really surprised me was what happened after the movie.

The final scene ended and the screen went blank. I began to get up when I realized everyone else in the theater was still seated. Not only did they remain in their seats, they also stayed as quiet as they were during the movie (during which I didn't hear one cell phone). The entire audience quietly watched the all 6 minutes of credits roll by. Once the credits ended, the lights finally went up and the theater quitely emptied. As you left (being careful to pick up any and all trash you produced) a group of friendly employees collected your garbage at the door at sorted the cups, straws, lids, wrappers, bags, etc. into the proper recycling bins.

The experience highlighted a strong contrast between the culture in the US and Japan. Out of respect and tradition the Japanese watch the names of everyone involved in making a movie. It doesn't matter what type of movie, or its quality, each is shown it's proper respect. In the US you would be given evil stares by the cleaning staff if you were to watch all the credits.

For the same reasons as watching the credits, the theater is kept spotless. As I walked out I didn't see one misplaced piece of popcorn or forgotten napkin. The theater was left in the same condition it was found. The pride the Japanese show for their country and surroundings inspires me.

Who are the Japanese?

In an effort to develop my style, I am taking portraits.

Before now I have been too scared to take photos of strangers. Something about asking someone I did not know if I could take their photo frightened me. I now realize that if they say "no," I can just move on and take the next person's photo. It's still a little scary, but I'm getting over it. One of my goals for this trip is to capture Japan through its people.

Today at the park I took some fantastic portraits of the people. There whole park was filled with Japanese people. There were lots of races and marathons being run at the stadium, but many people were just there to enjoy their day. It made me realize how much personality and warmth the Japanese have. Everyone I talked to was friendly towards me.

I took photos of people buying plants, street musicians, children, parents, old men, old women, and anyone else I could find. It was a good day. It taught me quite a bit about the Japanese. They are some of the nicest and most genuine people I have ever met.

Osaka

Osaka is amazing. This city is the largest most chaotic metropolis I have ever seen. Yet with all the chaos, there is a peacefulness about it. The streets are small and the tiny cars are very quiet. It's so quiet, I feel like I am in the suburbs.

It is impossible to understand Osaka. The sprawling unnamed streets are teeming with little stores and restaurants. I spent half a day in just a four block area of Osaka. Just within that area there were enough little streets and stores to keep one busy for weeks. Then I find a random staircase and realize there is an entire underground world. This underworld is like a giant mall beneath the city. I just cannot get over how large Osaka is!

The program is going really well. I am really thinking about my concepts and what sort of work I want to produce. The other people on the trip are very passionate and are great to discuss ideas with. I am having so much fun!

Osaka Preparations

In just 5 days 5 hours 42 minutes and 36 seconds I will be getting on a plane eventually headed to Osaka, Japan. I am going to Osaka to study photography with the Japan Institute of Photography and Film. I am going with about 15 other people from IU. The classes are in studio, but there will be lectures about the culture and language as well. The program starts of May 24th and ends on June 27th.

I've been getting prepared for the trip and it is getting me very excited. I just purchased a hard drive to backup all my photos before I leave. I've purchased books on Japan and have subscribed to a few Japanese related podcasts. Unfortunately I don't know any Japanese, and either does most people going on the program. It should be very interesting.

Knowing what to bring for a trip like this is very difficult. Bring lots of clothes or buy clothes there? Get a new tripod or hope I won't need one? Film or digital or both? So many questions! I just hope I can get it all worked out before I leave.

Along with excitement, I also feel very nervous. The feeling not only comes from the fact that I don't know any Japanese, it's also because I am taking a different flight from everyone else. Every single other person on the trip is going through a group flight, so they will be all together the whole way. I saved a bunch of money by booking my flight out of Chicago. I made sure that we were taking most of the same flights, so I shouldn't be apart from them for too long, but, there is still a large chance for error. Hope it all goes well.

I'm listening fellow IU student Esther Kim play Bazzini's "La Ronde des lutins." I actually heard it for the first time at a recital she performed at IU.

Goodbye Bush

Today was everything I expected and more. Bush is no longer president!

Unfortunately, I came to age politically with one of the worst presidents. My position on issues was idealistic and never seemed attainable with the Bush administration. Day after day the news would inform me of another failure from the president. It will be difficult to get used to Obama in the White House.

As I explore the new White House website I see many opinions I never imagined coming from the government. Obama's plan for civil rights practically brings tears to my eyes. Finally, GLBT civil rights are recognized as a critical issue for the country. With Bush, the GLBT community always seemed to be a burden to even be mentioned, but with Obama they are finally treated as equals.

The coming years will be better. Better than I can possibly imagine after growing up in the age of Bush.

I am currently listening to and relistening to the Liszt Piano Sonata in B Minor which I first heard last night at an amazing recital:

The Rest of my Life

When people say that you can do anything you put your mind to, I believe them. At this point in my life, I think I have the choice to go into any field I want. The only problem is I don't know what I want to do.

My friend Esther (above) is very confident in her life plan. She is working at her chemistry lab while she gets a degree in biochemistry and math. Then she is getting her MD and Phd to do research in cancer. If only I could be so confident in my majors.

Business is practical. My major in marketing is established and reliable. There is also a lot of room for creativity. My major in technology management is mentally stimulating. It involves problem solving and challenging critical thinking, a necessity in my future career path. I am fairly content with my current route, but nervous there are better options.

I have plenty of interests and I wouldn't mind pursuing them in school. With my math minor, I get to enjoy my interest in math and logical thinking. With my music minor, I learn new instruments and develop a deeper understanding for music. But there are other areas I want to get more involved in.

Photography is part of my daily life. I use the camera as a tool for living. A big occurrence must be recorded. Heading the Photography Society allows me to work on that interest and meet other like minded people. Not only does photography interest me, all of the arts do. I love to paint, write, sculpt, compose, design, and simply be creative.

Maybe my best option in life is to develop my creative side. But I have to balance enjoyment with practicality. As much as I don't like to admit it, both are very important.

I like to think my path with come in time, but I will miss many opportunities without a plan. These are my last summers without work. This may be my last chance at getting a BA or BS. This is my last chance to get a degree in violin making. The decisions I make today do have consequences for tomorrow. Now is the time to discover who I am and where I will take my life.

Tomorrow, I will try to find myself at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Current Listening - Ravel: Miroirs, No. 3 Une barque sur l'ocean