May.12
Gianfranco Chicco – The playful guinomi
May.12
This is the second essay in a three-part series that started with The humble yunomi. In Japanese drinking culture, the container often matters as much as what fills it. May is my birthday month so in the spirit of celebrating life, I thought it would be appropriate to write about guinomi, the little cups used…
Oct.22
Gianfranco Chicco – Craftsmanship and Circularity Are One
Oct.22
When I’m asked about my interest in craftsmanship, especially that of Japan, I explain that at its core is the fact that circular principles are inherently baked in. Modern designers rightly focus on using sustainable materials, reducing waste, ensuring repairability, and promoting recycling. Japanese crafts go beyond this, intertwining material sustainability with social systems and…
Sept.28
Traditions: from copying to rebellion to transcendence by Gianfranco Chicco
Sept.28
When we think about traditional craft objects, the first image that comes to mind is that of old things, vintage looks, nostalgia and remote origin stories. However, traditions are living entities. They have to be born before they get a chance to establish themselves, they grow and evolve, and sometimes they die too. The evolution…
July.03
The Enduring Charm of Japan’s First Porcelain
July.03
Frequent JLA contributor Alice Gordenker shares her appreciation for a type of Japanese antique porcelain that has captivated people all over the world for more than 400 years. For a comprehensive introduction to Imari ware, and some lovely photographs, please take a look at her new article on the All About Japan website.
Aug.19
Isohi Setsuko basketry show at Tai Modern in Santa Fe
Aug.19
Gail Rieke
A wonderful show of contemporary basketry features the work of Isohi Setsuko. A relatively young woman in a field of craft dominated by elder men, this woman has shown herself to be extraordinary in design, skill, and inventiveness. Her lightness of touch and bold forms weave exquisite materials to honor her teachers and inspire future…
May.08
Japanese Hikihaku Weaving (9-minute video)
May.08
Steve Beimel
The Victoria and Albert Museum introduces one of the world’s greatest textile treasures, Japanese Hikihaku, an age-old weaving process that combines silk, handmade paper, gold leaf and such things as lapis lazuli or mother-of-pearl. Follow the process from concept to completion as overseen by 10th generation textile producer Kondaya Genbei, in Kyoto.
Apr.15
In Search of Forgotten Colours
Apr.15
Steve Beimel
World-renowned master textile dyer Sachio Yoshioka is featured in this 18-minute video about the Art of Natural Dyeing.
June.30
Bamboo Artist Seiho KIBE opens at TAI Modern in Santa Fe
June.30
The work of Seiho KIBE is currently being shown in his second U.S. solo at Tai Modern Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico, until July 13, 2019. Ten years ago, Seiho KIBE had his first solo show in the United States at TAI Gallery in Santa Fe. Now, he is returning to show his new…