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Emerson Umbrella Center for the Arts is proud to present a full day workshop with renowned Japanese tea ceramics artist Richard Milgrim on Saturday, July 14, 2012, from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm. Richard Milgrim will demonstrate some of the primary forms used in the Japanese Tea Ceremony such as the tea bowl (chawan), water container (mizusashi), flower vase (hanaire), and tea caddy (chaire). Following the demonstrations, Milgrim will screen a documentary filmed one year ago in Japan entitled Forbidden Kyoto: An Encounter with Green Tea, which will then be followed with a tea ceremony demonstration by Richard's wife Mari, one of the highest ranking tea teachers of the Urasenke Tradition of Tea. Participants will have the opportunity to taste her handmade traditional tea sweets as well as enjoy the powdered green tea known as “matcha.” If time allows, the tea will be followed by an open discussion.
Richard Milgrim has been accepted as an independent ceramic artist creating chotou (tea ceramics) in Japan for over 25 years and is the first Western potter whose works have been fully endorsed by Dr. Sen Genshitsu, the 15th Grand Master of the Urasenke Tradition of Tea.
Milgrim first visited Japan for a year in 1977 as a student researching Japanese ceramics. He began studying “Chado” (The Way of Tea) and ceramics there on his second trip in 1979 while on a Watson Fellowship. After spending five years apprenticing with master potters in the diverse traditional ceramic centers of Kyoto, Hagi, Bizen, and Mino, Milgrim established his own studio-kiln in 1984-85 in the hills northwest of Kyoto. The workshop received the distinctive honor of being named “Richado-Gama” by Dr. Sen Genshitsu, also known as Hounsai Daisosho, who continues to endorse Migrim’s works today.
Richard has presented over 50 solo exhibitions of his work throughout Japan and the United States, and has been selected 10 times in total for the Japan Bi-Annual National Ceramic Exhibition and the Tanko Biennale (Tea Arts for the 21st Century). Since 2000 he has divided his time between his homes in Kyoto, Japan and Concord, Massachusetts, where he established his U.S. studio, also named by Dr. Sen in 2004 (Konko-Gama) in the Emerson Umbrella Center for the Arts. Milgrim continues to create unique tea ceramics in both countries using traditional as well as contemporary techniques and materials while building bridges between the United States and Japan. During the past year he has held major exhibitions in Boston (Pucker Gallery), Chicago (Douglas Dawson Gallery) and most recently a major exhibition at the Portland (OR.) Japanese Garden.
Faceted Tea Cup, Kono-Gama
The documentary, Forbidden Kyoto: An Encounter with Green Tea, was filmed in & around Kyoto, Japan, the center of Japanese culture and history, for worldwide distribution by the Japanese National Broadcasting Corporation in 2011. It features Emerson Umbrella artist Richard Milgrim, long-time ex-pat who for the last 12 years has split his time between the U.S. and Japan.
Squared Tea Cup, Kono-Gama
The program explores many of the innermost aspects of the “Way of Tea” and gives a previously unseen look at the cultivation and blending of the special powdered green tea known as “matcha”. We get an up-close look at an 800-year old ritual tea offering performed by Dr. Genshitsu Sen, the 15th generation Grand Master of the Urasenke Tea Tradition. We are also given the rare privilege of a visit to Dr. Sen’s personal home, a 400-year old tea complex registered as an Important Cultural Property and one of the most sacred inner sanctums of the tea world along with a visit to Juko-in, a 450-year old temple in Daitoku-ji, where Sen-no-Rikyu, the father of the modern day “Way of Tea” is laid to rest. All these sites are normally closed to the general public.
The film follows Richard as he seeks new inspiration in his efforts to create unique works of ceramic art for use in the tea ceremony at his kiln outside Kyoto. It illumines the process of making and firing new pieces using some unusual materials, thus bringing the process to a full circle while adding a new page to an ancient tradition.
Cost: $75 for a full day which includes ceramics demo, tea ceremony, movie, and discussion. Other options include ½ day morning ceramics demo only for $50, or ½ day afternoon tea ceremony, movie, and discussion for only $50. Lunch is not included.
For more information about the Japanese Tea Ceramics workshop or to register, please contact Jason Springer at 978-371-0820 or visit www.emersonumbrella.org.
Will you be attending? Let us know on our Facebook or Twitter page!
Expectations for travel accommodations in China are rapidly changing. With the country’s recent rise of hotel construction, and the increasing interest in art among the Chinese, more and more luxury hotels are joining the art scene as a distinctive selling point. Not only are these hotels covering their walls with paintings, but many of them are also curating art tours, coordinating exhibitions, and even managing private art galleries. The hope is to give guests the opportunity to be more familiar with Chinese art during their stay.
Besides having the desire to stand out and become a source of cultural education, Chinese luxury hotels are trying to adapt to the demands of Chinese business travelers and domestic tourists; these consumers are looking for boutique hotels away from major cities. Many travelers also prefer to stay in artistic hotels where they are paying for a unique experience that they wouldn’t find elsewhere, rather than chains that provide consistency.
Although this emerging trend is only currently appealing to a niche market, these luxury hotels are positive that they will attract more guests over time as interest in art grows in China. Moreover, the experiential allure of the trend will have many art-lovers intrigued, especially with the remarkable architecture that some of them incorporate.
Exclusivity is also key to the success of these hotels. Offering private exhibitions to guests may draw even an international crowd, making the competition particularly intense.
Could this trend of collaborating art and accommodation change the hospitality industry?
Dwell on Design returns to the LA Concention Center, June 22-24! This three day celebration od design and inovation is hosting over 350 exhibitors on the show floor! One of those exhibitors is Koo de Monde's own, Cerno Group!
Cerno will be exhibiting for their third consecutive year at Dwell on Design, the West Coast’s largest design show, June 22-24, 2012 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The three-day event, curated by the editors of Dwell magazine, brings together some of the brightest eco-responsible companies and figures of the modern design world. The show is open to both the public and design trade attendees. “What normally lives on the pages of Dwell magazine in 2-D, comes to life at Dwell on Design. It’s a unique opportunity for anyone who appreciates design to experience Dwell in person,” said Bret Englander, Cerno’s Director of Sales and Marketing.
Cerno will unveil a lineup of exciting new additions, including the Levo, their latest multi-purpose light, which combines a bedside wall sconce with an adjustable reading light. Cerno will also introduce Revelite, a patented light designed specifically for lighting works of art. Dan Wacholder, Cerno’s Director of Engineering and Operations, commented on the Revelite: “At Cerno our mission is to fuse cutting edge technology with forward thinking design. Our new art lighting product pushes the tech side of the technical/aesthetic balance further than any product we have created before. It brings together a family of recent technological developments to deliver a clean and inconspicuous product with incredible performance. The Revelite illuminates the entire surface of an art piece with uniformity and color fidelity never before available. It is always exciting to create a product that pushes current technology to its limits and deliver a solution that would not have been possible only a few years ago.”
At Dwell on Design all of the exhibitors will amaze you! If you are more interested in something a little more interactive, there will be all kinds of fun and exciting events going on this weekend! New this year visitors can visit the Modern Market Place Pavilions where you can persue, source, and purchase some of the amazing things that you see there. You can also get a ride in one of the car markets greenest vehicles! If you will be at Dwell on Design this weekend, let us know on Facebook or Twitter!
Japanese woodblock printing is an indigenous technique that involves a very intricate and complex process. Pakistani artist Dr. Shahida Mansoor received her doctorate degree in this art form during her seven-year stay in Japan, and her art is now being featured in an exhibition in Islamabad, which was inaugurated by Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Oe. Below is one of Mansoor’s larger works.
Through Japanese woodblock printing, images are created by carving a sketch into a plank of wood and painting it, and then transferring the water-based paint onto handmade paper by rubbing the two together with a disk. Traditionally, each step of the process is completed by different people. Below is an example of what the process usually looks like.
Due to the nature of the process, it is fairly unpredictable how the images will turn out, making the beautifully detailed results (such as Mansoor’s in the picture below) an impressive sight.
In addition to woodblock printing, Washi art is another traditional Japanese art form that KOO de Monde finds extremely fascinating. Washi is a strong Japanese paper made from plant fibers or wood pulp. One of our exhibitors, Hiro Odaira, uses Washi to create unique varieties of home décor by implementing 500-year-old techniques. It is truly remarkable to see such ancient art practices still present today.
So much has been going on lately with Koo’s amazing exhibitors, we just had to share all of the exciting things that are going on!
Jia Moderne
Earlier this week exhibitor Jia Moderne celebrated a new partnership with Ruana Designs. Her new Fall collection “RANGOLI” consists of exceptional Indian silks, linens and cottons.
The pair have also teamed up with CRY America – Child Rights and You, a non-profit organization that is committed to the rights of underprivileged children in India. “Founded in 1979, seven friends made a simple decision to change the lives of India’s underprivileged children. Almost 30 years hence, CRY is a peoples’ movement for the rights of India’s children. Encompassing diverse segments – parents, teachers, businesspersons, lawyers, activists, students, judges, administrators, journalists – each pledge their particular strengths and work in partnership towards a common cause – Rights for all Indian children.”
The Patterson Group
The Patterson Group became the newest place to find Dash & Albert Rugs! Dash & Albert boast that their rugs can adapt to any terrain.
This year they have a line of Vintage Classics, a line of cotton hooked, micro-hooked, and fine rag rugs adapted from antique originals we’ve collected along the way. Their ever-fabulous, ever-functional indoor/outdoor offerings have exploded this year! As always they rigorously test each and every rug for durability. These rugs can be the perfect final touch any Cape Cod or Martha's Vinyard summer home!
Silk Road Weaves
Barbara Jacobs of Silk Road Weaves, has teamed up with fellow rug designer Kim Designs to make this fun and inspiring new pattern.
Jeremy Penn
Jeremy Penn put final touches on a beautiful new paining of Maria Felix.
Angel Naula
Angel Naula has been featured in New York Design Hunting Magazine’s Summer 2012 edition! The magazine showcases a custom gold platform bed. An absolutely gorgeous piece of furniture!
We are so proud to have such talented exhibitors on our site! We are so thrilled about all of their accomplishments. To learn more about each of these exhibitors please visit, https://www.koodemonde.com/exhibitors. Be sure to get more exhibitor updates by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter!
When reproducing original art, it is essential for artists to bring a new and exciting twist to their work in order to demonstrate innovation and generate interest. Using a nail gun to shoot thousands of small nails into canvas boards, Taiwanese artist Chen Chun-Hao has mastered that objective. Through this distinctive process, Chen recreates traditional Chinese shan shui paintings into unique three-dimensional representations.
At first glance, the pieces give the impression of being smooth, two-dimensional works of art. However, when viewing them at a close angle, the source of development becomes apparent.
Some of Chen’s works contain up to 750,000 nails, which proves just how much detail and time is needed to put forth in each piece.
The subtle and tactful shading with the nails mirrors that of an ink painting.
This process is just one of the many ways people can inspire us through the expression of their creative minds. KOO de Monde is proud to showcase a number of different exhibitors who, like Chen, modernize traditional Chinese art and design. For example, Green T. House is a neo-classical furniture designer that is dedicated to preserving the Chinese experience. How do these innovators inspire you?
The Arts and Business Council of Greater Boston is proud to announce their annual Martinis + Masterpieces! This year exhibitor, Wendy Shapiro’s work will be featured.
“The mission of the Arts & Business Council is to strengthen a vibrant arts community by providing quality direct legal and business services and ongoing educational programs to the artists and cultural organizations within Massachusetts.” They do so much to help artists in and around the city of Boston. Boston has the highest arts and cultural organizations per capita than in any other metropolitan area in the country.
Some of their programs include pro bono legal services and educational programs to the Commonwealth’s arts communities each year. Some community art events could not function with out this kind of help!
They also offer webinars, workshops and programs that serve artists and administrators alike. The topics give artists the knowledge and the power to master any business challenges that may come their way. To date they have graduated over 200 artists from a nine-month program called the Artist’s Professional Toolbox. Similar programs have launched for musicians and filmmakers.
To raise money for such amazing programs the council throws exciting parties such as Martinis + Masterpieces. At this years festivities you can find over 300 guests enjoying great drinks and even greater art. Guests will be guided throughout the galleries past photography, paintings, sculptures, exotic imports, and all sorts of other breathtaking things. “Guests will have the opportunity to learn more about the art market and this thriving arts community while networking with peers and enjoying a special sampling of food and signature cocktails.”
Party goers will also have the opportunity to bid on art that they see on display. Boston native and exhibitor, Wendy Shapiro will have a piece up for auction. Her White Worn no.1 will be available for bidding. White Worn no.1 is a gorgeous 6 x 12 texturized acrylic painting. It looks and feels like piece of dry crackeled piece of land in the desert.
If you are interested in seeing some amazing art while sipping some tasty cocktails all in the name of a good cause, you do not want to miss this wonderful event! Come down to the Mohr & McPherson and the Thayer Street Galleries in the SoWa district of Boston on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 from 6-9pm.
To learn more about the Arts and Business Council of Greater Boston or Martinis + Masterpieces, please visit, http://www.artsandbusinesscouncil.org/.
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