2024/03/18 5:17
Dear Tokyo-Team,
Sorry for the delay of the mail.
As I told Kiyoshi German people are all about:
why why why where where where when when when who who who how how how
Via whats up, I send you already some questions (below I send them again), and here are some more.
But first let me introduce the artists
Elmar Vestner /Berlin
elmarvestner@me.com
Elmar Vestner (@elmar_vestner)
elmarvestner.tumblr.com
I attache his introduction.
Toni Wombacher /Frankfurt
email@toniwombacher.de
Toni Wombacher (@toniwombacher)
Katrin Paul
katrin_paul@gmx.de
2041488.jpg
Katrin Paul
katrinpaul.com
Katrin Paul (@katrin._paul)
Introduction and questions by Elmar
Dear Tokyo Team
My name is Elmar Vestner and I just got contacted by my friend Katrin Paul in regards to the exhibition at „Place by Method“ in August in Tokyo.
The venue looks fantastic and I would be very excited to be a part and contribute to this project.
Very intrigued by all your work. I am working as a photographer in Berlin/ Germany.
Katrin kindly asked me to articulate some questions about my possible participation, so here they are:
How many works are „expected“ to be shown by every single artist? Do you expect several pieces? Can it be one piece?
Will there be a curatorial part where you select works from what we intend to present at the exhibition?
Is there are budget for framing and shipping? How are the artworks expected to arrive in Japan?
Will the sales of the show be used to fund the project or are they seen as profit for the individual artist? What percentage of the sale is for the gallery?
Will the works (if not sold) be returned to the artists?
Hope you be talking soon.
Thank you and all the best
Elmar
more questions by Toni and Katrin
content:
What is the theme?
You said it's about communication.
Can you narrow down the topic further?
Language
language barrier
culture
understanding
misunderstanding
exchange ...
Is there already a title?
Would we respond directly to the work of our colleagues?
Would we possibly even create joint works?
How do the Japanese artists envisage this?
organisation
How long will the exhibition run?
Is there already an exact date/period?
Is August also a month for travelling in Japan?
Are there any special public holidays or festivals that fall in this period?
question about the space:
the exhibition space (Place) by method has two exhibition rooms?
One room without windows and the other room with glass, which can be seen from outside.
Would we exhibit in both rooms?
Are the two rooms on the same level?
Are they connected to each other?
What kind of lightening is used?
is it possible to use video?
projection
screen
What else is in the building?
Is it a kind of shopping mall? If so, what is sold there?
Who visits these rooms?
Is there a particular audience?
Is it an art-interested or design-orientated audience?
marketing:
Do the Japanese artists take care of the marketing activities on site or does the gallery do this?
The works are to be sold:
is there an indication of the price range for the works?
Is it about
originals
prints
multiples
…
Funding:
are you in contact with:
Goethe institute Tokyo
DAAD Tokyo
(I do not know anyone there anymore…)
Meeting:
it would be great if the six of us could get to know each other in a video chat.
we just have to find a good time for everyone…
I am very sorry that the mail got so long. 🥰
Mail is the best for communicating between us. Please lets not use whats up…
Best would be if you answer the questions directly under the questions.
And you do not have to answer all at once! 🤣
Thank you very much!
Sincerely
Katrin
2024/03/19 20:19
Dear German-team,
Thank you for the e-mail.
My name is Ayame Ono. I am one of the Tokyo-team artists.
First of all, We would like to thank all the wonderful members who have taken an interest in this project!
These are the answers to the first questions that Katrin-san put together and sent via what's up.
In our next mail, We would like to answer any unanswered questions and introducing the all Tokyo-team as well.
___________________
-What is the theme?
-You said it's about communication. Can you narrow down the topic further? Language / language barrier / culture / understanding / exchange ...
We think the major theme will be "exchange" between the two countries. It includes all the topics you mentioned in the question.
Can artists from different backgrounds achieve mutual understanding and exchange, sometimes nonverbally, through their "works", transcending cultural and linguistic barriers? I think this is an experimental project.
Our first goal is to exhibit the work, but we will archive the production process as much as possible in various media.
This project started with three people who came together after visiting Berlin, although at different times.
As the event that we had originally planned progressed, we arrived at the major theme mentioned above.
Just like us, who are fascinated by Berlin and by extension Germany,
Together with members who have even the slightest interest in the city of Tokyo, the country and culture of Japan,
We would be happy if we could develop this while exchanging works and opinions.
-Is there already a title?
We currently have a tentative title and would like to decide on the official title together with the members.
-Would we respond directly to the work of our colleagues, would we possibly even create joint works?
How do the Japanese colleagues envisage this?
We think there will be an opportunity to present our works to each other in some form beforehand,
We can personally present works that are directly inspired by every member.
You are also free to create and present your work through the exchange of direct quotations and graphics.
Rather than having the image of everyone working together to create a single work, we plan to display and compile the final works created by individual responses.
-How long will the exhibition run? Is there already an exact date/period?
-Is August also a month for traveling in Japan? Are there any special public holidays or festivals that fall in this period?
The exhibition will be held for 10 days from August 20th (Tue) to 31st (Sat).
Weather-wise, the temperature and humidity can be quite high in August, so you need to be careful in that regard.
There are many events such as traditional festivals, and there are big holidays called "Obon" from August 10th to 18th.
-As far as I have researched, the exhibition space (Place) by method has two exhibition rooms, one room without windows and the other room with glass, which can be seen from outside. Would we exhibit in both rooms?
The windowless space will be the main exhibition venue.
The glass-walled room is slightly smaller than the main space, so the idea is to use it as an annex for real-time performances and experimental installations.
-Are the two rooms on the same level? Are they connected to each other?
-What else is in the building?
-Is it a kind of shopping mall? If so, what is sold there?
The two spaces are on the same floor. They are not directly connected.
That building is similar to an apartment, and although there are some restaurants and select shops, it is not a large-scale commercial facility like a shopping mall.
The location is very good, close to Shibuya, one of the centers of Tokyo.
-Who visits these rooms? Is there a particular audience? Is it an art-interested or design-orientated audience or rather people who shop ... there?
The gallery “Place by Method” is a popular space in Tokyo, so the audience is mainly people who come for the exhibition.
In addition to being interested in art and design, we expect that the main audience will be those interested in cutting-edge, contemporary art rather than traditional art.
-Do the Japanese artists take care of the marketing activities on site or does the gallery do this?
Japanese artists will take care of the marketing activities.
-The works are to be sold. Is there an indication of the price range for the works? Is it about originals, prints, multiples,...
The price range of the work is up to the artist. We also accept various forms of works for sale upon consultation.
___________________
It would be nice if the all members could get to know in a video chat✨
We should think about a good time for everyone, it would be a little difficult, but...
Thanks again!
Best wishes,
Ayame
2024/03/29 7:45
Dear Japan-team,
how are you? The easter holiday is approaching and we can feel spring in the air.
Thank you for answering the first part of our questions so clearly.
Would it be possible that you answer the second part of our questions as mentioned in the mail?
Then we would like to schedule a video call with all 6 of us.
Due to the time difference it might be best if you could let as know 2-3 possible dates.
We are thrilled to work with you and are loocking forward to your response.
All the best,
the German-team
2024/03/29 16:53
Dear German Team
Hi there, sorry for being late. We'll send you the answer to the second part of your questions
-How many works are „expected“ to be shown by every single artist? Do you expect several pieces? Can it be one piece?
It is possible for you to create one object and We would like you to consider that there needs to be editing others' work.
-Will there be a curatorial part where you select works from what we intend to present at the exhibition?
We think curation would be an interesting difference between the two countries. Naturally, we respect individual creativity.
-Is there budget for framing and shipping? How are the artworks expected to arrive in Japan?
We will pay for our own creation and shipping costs.
-Will the sales of the show be used to fund the project or are they seen as profit for the individual artist? What percentage of the sale is for the gallery?
It will benefit to the artist. The gallery is cooperating to provide a location so far.
If we are selling something we need to talk about the sales commission ( It's because we use the cash register at the gallery).
-Will the works (if not sold) be returned to the artists?
The works will return to artists.
-What kind of lighting is used?
The Gallery is a white cube with office space. Overall flat and bright（Difficult to spotlight in the dark, etc.）
-Is it an art-interested or design-orientated audience?
As mentioned above.
-Funding:
助成金
are you in contact with:Goethe institute Tokyo/DAAD Tokyo
Not working on it at this time. Is there a better way?
All the best, Japan team
2024/03/29 18:43
Thank you very much for your swift answer! The German team will try to get together next week and then we will contact you. Have a great weekend all the best.
Katrin
Katrin
Paul.
Atelier
Heddernheimer Landstrasse 149
60439 Frankfurt am Main
Mobil +49 176 52704973
katrin_paul@gmx.de
2024/04/02 22:40
I think that This exhibition’s theme is between Japan and Germany. I am particularly interested in the differences between the two countries.
My own theme is “mingle”and to be archived in print.As for my own story, I have thought about originality for 20 years. and it will continue to do.
This time I am interested in what's out there. I work with family, so I am interested in outside of family work.
ri@enamel.co.jp
https://enamel.co.jp/
https://www.instagram.com/enamel.co.ltd/
The theme of my works is to draw organic shapes,I continue to create works based on this theme.
The year before last, I stayed and painted for two weeks at the mountain villa "ROKONOMAD" (https://rokkonomad.org/en/) in Kobe.
https://rokkonomad.org/news_column/3602(Japanese text)
I take inspiration for my works from the environment of the place and the plants and animals that inhabit it.
I stayed in Germany in 2021 and 2022 , got inspirations from many things there as well.
For this exhibition, I intends to use the ideas I had at that time to create new works.
info@kiyoshikuroda.jp
http://www.kiyoshikuroda.jp
https://www.instagram.com/k_u_r_o_d_a/
My artwork is created through a cut-and-paste process : I cut out the printed matter with scissors, glue the pieces together, and reconstruct them on a computer.
Cutting and pasting flat materials are all simple and physical acts, but there is a sudden shift in value that occurs with the intended or unintended fragmentation during these acts.
I would like to confront the media's ever-changing nature with a technique of collage, cutting and pasting a context. I also think that this property can be applied to this exhibition as well.
ono@ayameono.com
https://www.ayameono.com
https://www.instagram.com/metchon/
2024/04/05 5:45
Dear Tokyo Team,
looking forward to meet you Saturday!
here I send you the German Artist Statement:
Elmar Vestner
My work deals with abstraction of imagery by working with an interdisciplinary process of
photography and painting. I work with the photographic print as a canvas. Works on paper,
collages, plots, and painted and sanded photographs exist in various different stages of
dissolution, of transition. I approach the motif by applying and removing paint, by scratching and
dissolving, systematically deconstructing the pictorial surfaces. Following this process, I often
reproduce and alter the works digitally, and then continue working on them by hand.
Coating, sanding or scratching of the photograph seems to dissolve the image, or lays over the
motif like a veil. I deconstruct the surface of the photograph but simultaneously establish a visual
impact that recalls organic processes, chemical reactions or alchemic procedures.
elmarvestner@me.com
https://www.instagram.com/elmar_vestner/
https://elmarvestner.tumblr.com/
-----------------------
Toni Wombacher
At the moment I am "obsessed" with stripes. I paint stripes with acrylic paint or varnish on unprimed canvas and found cardboard. The wall objects are minimalist, mostly two-layered paintings. I imagine that I can find protection and shelter between the layers.
My art is conceptual and often relates to the exhibition theme and the exhibition space.
I am very much looking forward to the joint exhibition and can well imagine developing works in co-operation.
email@toniwombacher.de
https://www.toniwombacher.de
https://www.instagram.com/toniwombacher/
-----------------------
Katrin Paul
scratch scrape scrub spoil
bite bind beat boil
burn yearn knot rot
pack fling swing
rub it in
tear throw drill shrill
wait when you will
crumple humble
do not stumble *
* Katrin Paul about her treatment of paper.
Paper is patient. It must be when it falls into my hands. Paper is bitten, scratched, drilled, caused to explode – liquids spilled on it, various materials stepped on and crushed upon it. Despite these brute methods, silent, almost meditative installations, poetic spatial appropriations, and impressions arise.
The ephemeral and fleeting aspects that eluded me through photographic means, I began to capture on paper. Snow and rain were depicted on paper using flour (gluten), while smoke and soot were created through fire and black powder. In doing so, I could not only capture the image but also the essence of these ephemeral phenomena, adding a sensory and tactile dimension through the material of paper to my artistic work.
Paper has now supplanted photography in my artistic practice. And I find myself pushing further into space with my paper works. Beginning with folds, then progressing to meandering paper trails and crumpled paper, piled into towering sculptures, I claim dominion over the space.
katrin_paul@gmx.de
katrinpaul.com
https://www.instagram.com/katrin._paul/
2024/04/06 11:18
Dear German-team,
Thanks for the Artist statement.
looking forward to meet you Today at 11:00 a.m.!
https://calendar.app.google/yBEnDExdKwhAKHnD6
Kiyoshi Kuroda
http://www.kiyoshikuroda.jp
info@kiyoshikuroda.jp
2024/04/11 2:56
Dear German-team,
I will send you an email separate from our ongoing correspondence.
Thank you for taking the time to meet with us yesterday, even though it was a weekend!
We apologize for the inconvenience as we are not familiar with video chat in English, but gained a lot from meeting and talking with the German team online.
Hope you all will continue to join and collaborate with us.
Fortunately, the meeting agenda has been well thought through and the project is moving forward.
These are rough summary of the main points of the meeting and what is going on.
_
-All members of the German and Japan-teams are communicating by email or website such as exchanging the images.
-For the title, we will use a one-word title like Mingle, and add a subtitle if necessary.
(It's not urgent, but considering the announcements and grant applications, it seems better to make a decision as soon as possible!)
-We are planning to exhibit the individual original works and collaborative new works including prints together so far.
The process will also be exhibited.
_
Of course, if you have any misunderstandings or new ideas or titles that would help the exhibition, please feel free to share with us!
Let’s keep in touch,
Japan-team
2024/04/11 7:47
Dear Ayame, dear all,
Thank you for your mail and the summarizing of the video chat.
I startet the mail for the images and so on, lets see where it takes us.
As soon as anyone has Ideas for the title we should talk about it.
And yes we should be fast about it.
If there is anything please let us know
All the best
Katrin