Information gathered at the Kochi Prefecture Coral Association

   Have you ever heard of a coral wedding anniversary? It’s the 35th anniversary of a wedding. Why not gift a coral product to your parents on the day? People may think of accessories and jewelry when coral products are mentioned, but they are actually used in various ways depending on application and through blending Japanese and Western influences, such as good luck charms, ornaments, tea caddies used for tea ceremonies, incense burners, Buddha statues, and picture frames. What makes coral attractive is that it lives in the deep sea and grows slowly, with some varieties taking up to 50 years to grow one centimeter, and it is also beloved because of its rarity. Additionally, because of the fact that coral grows by absorbing free-swimming coral larvae, it can be said that it is a natural work of art. There are no two identical corals as they are made within the natural cycle.

Painting the healing powers of coral raised in Kochi’s nature: Japanese painter, Akemi Ochi

 

Ms. Ochi and Cho CIR

  I can’t believe there are ways to use coral other than for accessories. That surprise was our first impression. “I’m painting pictures by borrowing power from coral. It’s because Kochi’s beautiful ocean exists. The color and texture of coral contains healing properties for people,” says Ms. Ochi. Ms. Ochi’s works involve various materials such as silver leaf and vivid colors, and they all come together beautifully. Ground coral provides a refreshing warm hue on top. This is a traditional technique used in Japanese paintings, and although it is common to use ground natural minerals as painting material, Ms. Ochi uses materials homemade from refined Kochi coral instead of store-bought materials. This is all pasted on with a glue called “nikawa”. The lumpy texture of actual coral has a spatial effect, and makes the entire art piece stand out. In addition to this, it is said that the color of coral does not fade much over the years. The contrast with materials such as silver leaf, which changes color over time, is beautiful because of this.

Kochi Performing Arts Festival2017 Artist in Residence2017＆Performance - Papermoon Puppet Theatre 'Translucence'（Indonesia）

'Men of The Sea', by Papermoon Puppet Theatre

 

   Papermoon Puppet Theatre from Indonesia returns to the Museum of Art, Kochi after the first residency program in 2015. They will create and present a new work incorporating Tosa-original Washi paper in collaboration with Kochi-based local artists. They will entertain you with the hand-made puppets, dance and live music.

Kochi Performing Arts Festival 2016 Sandaime Richard

Written by Hideki Noda

Directed by Ong Keng Sen

Date: 14ｔh（Wed） Dec

Tickets: \2,500 (Student: \1,500)/ Advance Tickets: \2,000 (Student: \1,000) (Tax included)

Venue: Museum Hall
　
More info: http://www.kochi-bunkazaidan.or.jp/~museum/previous/english_page/events/events2016.htm

Watch Yamaguchi Sagi Style Kyogen with Foreigners!

Sponsor: Nankoku-shi International Association (NIA)
Ticket Reservations (Deadline: 6/10) and Questions:
080-3162-2310 (Ms. Nagano)
mumsachi@yahoo.co.jp
koromo2006@yahoo.co.jp
(NIA members have priority for tickets. If the event approaches capacity, non-members may be denied entry) 

Artist in Residence2015 & Performance－Papermoon Puppet Theatre ‘HIDE and SEEK’－

'Center stage 2012', photo by Iwan Effendi

   Iwan Effendi (Artistic Director) and Maria Tri Sulistyani (Director) from Papermoon Puppet Theatre in Indonesia will have a residency in Museum for a month to make a creation and present a new performance. It will be 'community project' that the visitors including child can attend workshops, and the artists make a new piece with the local artists.

   Open studio: 22nd Jul (Wed) to 13th Aug (Fri)

   Workshop: 25th Jul (Sat) to 31st Jul (Mon)

   Performance: 14th and 15th Aug (Sat)

   Venue: Gallery 4, The Museum of Art, Kochi