Illustrator Yuko Shimizu from New York, pixel artist Kazuki Takakura from Tokyo and Kęstutis Ptakauskas from Alytus, who has dedicated many years to bonsai art, will not meet live at this year's "nowJapan" festival. Instead, in Vilnius, St. In the Church of the Soothing Virgin, from August 29 to September 20, it will be possible to see all their works.
More Japan in work than in life
"I planned to visit Lithuania, but what now?... Like everyone else, I feel confused. Working from home is not normal for me, I have never done it before. But when you can't change anything, you have to stay positive. I'm healthy, I have a job, the income is enough to pay the bills, and my dog is happier than ever - "mom" is always with him," Yuko Shimizu, an illustrator and teacher who was featured in Newsweek Japan in 2009, smiled on her computer screen. the world's XNUMX most famous Japanese people. She works with world-renowned brands Visa, Apple, Microsoft, Nike and others.
Yuko, who examines the themes of racial, cultural and sexual identity in her work, uses retro colors and Japanese motifs, although her relationship with her native country is unusual and not bound by great sentiments or longing: "These days it is just 22 years since I left Japan and I have never regretted it. I didn't even visit her for the first fourteen years, but my parents are getting old, so I try to visit them at least once a year. For the Japanese, I am too American, for the Americans, I am too Japanese. And I myself feel like a citizen of the world and I do not identify myself with any specific country."
When starting a new job, Yuko first researches historical material until a good idea strikes. Then he draws by hand, scans, colors digitally. "What inspires me? I like to read, travel, meet and talk with people in places I've never seen before. I think the best source of inspiration is getting to know the world beyond our comfort zone," Shimizu is definitely not afraid to cross this boundary.
By the way, Yuko is terribly annoyed by the question she hears almost all her life, is she not the author of the famous character "Hello Kitty", because the creator of this white cat with a red ribbon is also Yuko Shimizu. The coincidence won't change anything, but it's unpleasant for her: "It hurts when some strangers ask for advice on how to make their invented character just as famous. Look, if I had created that cat in the 1970s, how old would I be now? People are funny. Although I am no longer laughing about this topic.
Bright and regardless of the opinion of others
The works of Kazuki Takakura, who lives and creates in Tokyo, will attract attention with bright colors and a variety of (often recognizable, pop culture) symbols, figures, and elements. Through the pixelated synthesis of surrealism and abstractionism in his works, the artist reflects the themes of today's culture - consumption, megapolis, internet visuals. The works often seem easy to create, for example, using only Emoji icons or drawing only with the simplest "Paint" application. In this way, Kazuki provokes the viewer to reconsider the perception of form.
The pixel genius called Kazuki is well known in the theater world in Japan. He is the artistic director of the "Hanchu-Yuei" troupe, curator of exhibitions. He is also an illustrator, the founder of the game studio Studio Tokoyo. The versatile author successfully tried his hand at creating music videos.
"While working, I never forget that I am drawing with dot, digital graphics. However, my works do not reflect reality in the traditional sense. But that's not what I'm aiming for, art should provoke ideas and feelings, not the comfort of familiarity," explained Kazuki.
What do authors need most these days? "Creating and enjoying it. Also - to think as little as possible about what others think about them. If you start caring about other people's opinions, you will definitely not create anything that takes your breath away. So sometimes it's better to be selfish if you feel that it helps to achieve results," the artist is convinced.
Bonsai is like an artist's paintings
Kęstutis Ptakauskas from Alyty, who was infected with Japanese bonsai art back in 1989, mentions that every problem brings new opportunities. "I had to travel to exhibitions in Brazil, the Czech Republic, Germany," says the creator who was awarded the "Order of the Rising Sun with Silver Rays" by the Japanese government for his merits in spreading Japanese culture in the world, "But now I will present my latest works at a festival in Vilnius." He promises those who came to St. Virgin Mary Calming Church to sincerely share knowledge on how to turn an ordinary Lithuanian quince, apple tree or mountain pine into real bonsai.
"I've been doing it for thirty years, but I'm still learning. There is no end here," Kęstutis, who has a collection of over a hundred bonsai trees, does not consider himself omniscient. One of the most impressive in his collection is a 250-year-old mountain pine, which he has been shaping for eight years. "I will bring to Vilnius trees that are over a hundred years old, two hundred for each olive tree I have. If you were to shape a young tree, human life would not be enough for it," said the artist who has written several books about bonsai, a traditional Japanese art dating back thousands of years, where the aim is to artificially create perfect, ideal trees.
One can talk about bonsai for hours, starting with very mundane things - how to find the right tree in nature, where to plant it, how to reduce its needles and leaves over time, ending with the philosophy of this art, the formation of a tree as a work of art, the harmony of man, his soul and nature .
"A bonsai tree is a work of art, like a painting, it takes time to be completed, visually beautiful, meet the aesthetic requirements and please the viewer."
It will last for three weeks
And the audience on August 29-30 In the old town located in St. In the Church of the Virgin Mary, you can enjoy not only exhibitions, a meeting with Kęstučius Ptakauskas, but also a green tea inn, craft workshops, a stand of the Japanese Embassy - the traditional "Weekend in Japan" will take place, and the exhibitions will last until September 20.
Vision events free of charge The festival is organized based on all the safety requirements of the pandemic. Visitors are invited to keep a safe distance and wear face masks.
More information - www.nowjapan.lt
