I don’t really ‘get’ a lot of contemporary Art but I really enjoyed the Art I saw displayed this evening.  I was lucky enough to be invited to the US Ambassador’s Residence here in Tokyo to view the art project ‘Ties Over Time’.

The project ‘sees the arts as a vital communication tool in modern day diplomacy to transcend cultures and beliefs, shaping the tone and nature of our future intercultural relations’.

The artists whose works I viewed were either Japanese artists who have worked, lived or studied in the US or American artists who have worked, lived or studied in Japan.

 

Here are a few of my favourite works:

 

 

Wish Tree reflects Yoko Ono’s memories of visiting temples in Japan as a child and writing a wish on a small piece of paper that was then tied to the branch of a tree.  I participated in this art work by adding my own wish to all the others.  Beautiful wishes for Peace and Happiness for All.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I loved the bold colours of this double portrait made using different kinds of duct tape.

 

 

 

This lovely watercolour is smaller than it seems from the photos at only 34.3 x 26.7 cm.  I really love the colours – it makes me want to get the paints out myself and play!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you liked this selection.  It was a lovely evening with lots to eat and drink (loved the Pink Champagne) and I met some very interesting people.

Come and join me tomorrow when I will post Part Two with more of my favourite works!