Rivers without end
a confluence that gathers momentum
Konnichiwa friends!
Phew! That was a busy few days… let me fill you in.
Last Thursday I took the drawing ‘Confluence’ to Aomori Chuo High School for a workshop session with students there. First, we talked about how water moves through the landscape, why Aomori has the highest snowfall of any city in the world(!) how our bodies are like sponges full of water, and how all the water in our bodies is just borrowed for about ten days before we have to give it back again as it flows on through the world in oceans, rivers, clouds, rain, aquifers, hot springs…
Then we drew together for a couple of hours, joined by some passing staff and students from other classes for a while.
Afterwards we reflected together on how it feels to work collectively, to contribute to something bigger than ourselves, and to see how we are all different but also aligned. One student said she it made her feel like her own life was part of a big powerful river. Another shared that it was exciting to work one something so much bigger than anything she’d done before. Others remarked how the actions of drawing a small circle repeatedly calmed busy thoughts and brought a peaceful feeling. It was a delight to work with such thoughtful and engaged students, and we got a lot of drawing done. Thank you to ACAC curator Tomo Seitou for indispensible help and translation!
From there Tomo and I went straight to the gallery to finish installing the exhibition ready to open the next morning. “Confluence” was at last unrolled onto the majestic four metre long table built especially for it by ACAC technician Yuuji.
The water samples I brought from Orkney were joined by more from the students and set on a shelf in the gallery, ready for further contributions during the run of the exhibition.
Next morning the gallery opened to the public and I sat down once again to draw, wondering how people would respond.
I was soon delighted to find many willing participants happy to uncap a pen and start drawing with me.
Notice the big-eyed water creature that appeared for a while before it was submerged by the rising flow of bubbles.
The next day was one of talks and discussions with the other artists and curators.
Followed by a delicious meal together of sushi and fresh seafood, all washed down with plenty of sake.
Amazingly, I managed to successfully pull off eating crab claws and slippery prawns with chopsticks while tipsy on sake witout dropping food all down myself, though I’ll admit that getting up again after sitting cross-legged for three hours solid was something of a challenge.
Next day, back to the gallery for another day’s drawing. People keep bringing me snacks to sustain me. Elderly Japanese ladies seem particularly keen to feed me.
And ‘Confluence’ continues to grow, a river without end.
So, you’ll appreciate I was glad the gallery was shut today. A chance for long lie in, a sleepy day of watching the (incessant) rain fall, a moment to catch up with myself, gather my wits, and do some laundry!
It all starts again tomorrow…with a live TV appearance too! Yikes!
More on that next week. Thanks for following along,
Jaa, mata! じゃあ、また
Sam
This flowing together of cultures and place and creative collaboration is so very beautiful.
A life changing, eye and heart opening confluence for all, I am sure.
"Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it."
Sounds like an amazing residency, Sam! Inspiring to see the collaborative drawing and your amazing "Confluence" piece! I love how it's growing "like a river without end".
Safe travels!