The Ohio State Lantern / January 20, 1999 / page 8

Craft, culture featured at Japan Festival

By Deana Rogers

In collaboration with the Celebration of Japan festival, the Dublin Arts Council will run a unique exhibit of Japanese crafts curated by Japanese artist Yasue Sakaoka.

   “We were looking for an opportunity to showcase a different aspect of the Japanese culture,” said Lynette Santoro, Public Relations Coordinator of the Dublin Arts Council.  “These crafts feature the everyday life in Japan.”

   Sakaoka is a sculptor but also specializes in paper, embroidery and design, and the techniques of dyeing materials.  Paper is Sakaoka’s favorite medium to work with.  She has obtained piece from a specific array of artists for the exhibit, entitled, “Crafts & Hobbies: Fabric, Clay, Wood”.  She chose the artists because all of them work in the Japanese tradition and are masters in their particular craft.

   Sakaoka said she wanted to do this exhibit because she felt this display was important to demonstrate the rich aspects of Japanese crafts and culture.

   “When you have a strong sense to do something, you just do it,” Sakaoka said.

   Sakaoka, who has curated several exhibits for the Dublin Arts Council, will have textile art from her own collection on display at this exhibit.  She will show some examples of textile art from Nagoya Obi and decorations with unique weave patterns from Okinawa.  She will also feature elaborate tie-dyed materials from Takamatsu (near Nagoya in Japan).

The exhibit will also feature wood carvings from artist Roger Wing.  His unique style is that he only used one piece of wood and one knife for each carving.  Wing’s pieces originate from traditions in different regions of Japan.  Such pieces include tray and tea coasters combined with grass weavings and lacquer from the Okayama region in Western Japan, and wood carvings in styles originating from the Tohoku region in the northeast part of Japan and from the Kamakura region in central Japan.

   Gotemmai, or silk balls by Yoshiko Baker will also be displayed.  These silk balls originated in the aristocratic circle of Japan in the 11^th century. 

   “Girls were kept inside and carefully watched,” Sakaoka said.  “So these silk balls were created as play objects for children.”

   Santoro said that silk was a readily available material in Japan, so the balls were created with decorative silk and wrapped like a ball of yarn.  The balls are used in children’s games ranging from juggling and Temari to kick ball.

   Finally, Mariko Harris has created a doll in Japanese craft tradition.  The doll’s face and hands are made of glazed clay and dressed in traditional Japanese style.

   Sakaoka pointed out that showcasing these crafts is important because the selected artists do not make crafts as a hobby but as a profession.  She noted that it takes many years for the artists to perfect their training and their craft.

   Santoro said that the crafts featured are done in traditional Japanese style and are different from fine arts because the crafts have a practical application.  She said wood products, ceramic wares, and clothing are things that are used in everyday life.

   “There seems to be an emphasis [in Japanese art] on making beautiful objects that can be used in everyday life,” said Ohio State History of Art Associate Professor Julia Andrews.

   Andrews said the tradition and beauty of Japanese crafts and fine arts are equally important and therefore crafts should be taken just as seriously.

   “Most people think of fine arts such as silk paintings and kimonos when they think of Japanese art,” Santoro said.

   She wants people to see the exhibit so that they may get a better idea of Japanese life and a new insight into Japanese culture.

   The display, located in the Dublin Community Recreation Center, 5600 Post Rd., runs from today to February 13.  Dublin Community Recreation Center hours are M–F 6a.m.-10p.m., Saturday 8a.m.-8p.m., and Sunday 12p.m.-8p.m.