Preferences

People usually have their own standards of perfection and different preferences for what they want their work to look like. These feelings are cultivated in each individual person and differ between each person. 

One artist, upon bringing her work into the recent exhibition, decided that she wanted to make some changes to her work. She was comparing her work to the work of other artists in the gallery and her standards of perfection seemed to change. She decided that she did not like the texture of her work as it was, so used sandpaper to sand it down again. 

There is a feeling that the work that we have seen in this exhibition is striving to be perfect. Each artist has their own idea about perfection. Even if ‘perfect’ does not really exist in the art world, these artists do their best to make their artwork as close to their standard of perfection as possible. This level of effort is apparent in their work and makes the art more wonderful. If we make small changes to our work when needed, then we can be satisfied with the work when it is completed.

Tanslated by Jennie Whittington

’Liaison’ three-person exhibition

Many visitors have been enjoying the Liaison three-person exhibition at Kyoto Zuihodo’s gallery this month, showcasing the work of three master craftspeople.

This work was previously shown at Hotel Kanra in Kyoto in March and at the Kogei art fair in Kanazawa last November.

These new creative works have given the gallery a new energy and a fresh atmosphere.

Please take the opportunity to look at this work if you can.

As the gallery was originally a Nishijin textile weaving shop, we can display the work in a beautiful spacious area with a high ceiling.

There are also days when the artists will be present too, so please take a moment to meet them if you can.

If you have any questions about the Liason 3nin exhibition, please contact the Kyoto Zuihodo gallery.

Tanslated by Jennie Whittington

KOGEI Art Fair Kanazawa

We have decided to participate in an arts and crafts fair in Kanazawa. It will be held at Kumu Kanazawa The Share Hotels from Friday 16th November until Sunday 18th November.

Room 204 in the hotel will be Kyoto ZUIHODO’s designated exhibition space, and it will be an interesting event where art will be displayed freely. The exhibits will not be in cases, and visitors can move around as they please and see the things which interest them.

Many artists from Kyoto ZUIHODO will participate, including Ai Shimizu (lacquer), Aki Takahashi (pottery), Miki Kato (pottery), and Mikio Hirai (Nishijin weave). Individual and collaborative works created by each of them will decorate the room.

We will be waiting for everyone to visit.

Visit the event’s official website here. 

New Work: Hand-Carved Kettle - Chrysanthemum

Do you know the word ‘wabori’?

Wabori is a carving technique to make sculptures, and has been passed down since ancient times in Japan. However, nowadays it is hardly used. Instead, laser engraving is becoming popular.

But Unzan, one of Kyoto ZUIHODO’s artisans, does not rely on machines. He has inherited his techniques from the past, and uses them to create beautiful and delicate works. One of his works is the chrysanthemum hand-carved kettle.

In Japan, the chrysanthemum is a noble flower used in many places, including on silver teapots. Making works with a machine never matches the fineness of making them by hand, or conveys the passion which the artists put into them.

The Chrysanthemum hand-carved kettlejoined the lineup of Kyoto ZUIHODO’s works in 2018. Please make sure to look out for it.

Visit this work’s page here.

Wave Pattern Teapot

This teapot has a calm wave pattern with a satin finish.

It is smaller than the standard size, being 5.4 inches in width, meaning that it is easy for everyone to handle.

The pattern is created by a process of carefully and repeatedly striking the metal, and the finish created with old methods which the artist’s masters used and passed on to them.

Nowadays in Japan, the processes for making silver teapots are more often done by machine than by hand. Because Kyoto ZUIHODO are committed to preserving traditional techniques, wonderful handmade works such as this wave pattern kettle still exist.

There are trends everywhere. At this time, there are also fashions in the world of traditional art. Enhancing the arrangement of old patterns creates new textures, which can become a part of these fashions.

When you want to take a rest, enjoy some tea with a beautiful silver kettle… why not taste such a moment?

Visit this work’s page here.