Your residency seems to have gone in a flash. As someone who lives in a village where three rivers meet, this post resonates with me. I love the thought of us simply being temporary vessels of water.
Your words and the ritual were such a thoughtful way to make us all more conscious of our borrowed water as well as our interconnectedness. We are so fortunate to be able to turn on the tap or shower and expect an endless supply (subject to rising charges) or fill a water bottle, or better still drink from fresh water in the wild. I have been enjoying all your sharing of your trip, it has been thought provoking as well as inspirational. I also have bathing envy! I appreciate your sending out these ripples of energy and life, thank you.
I'd have happily spent most of this month in an onsen if I could have! Especially once I discovered the taps where you can chuck a basin of cold water over yourself to cool off and start all over again!
Thank you Samantha for providing this account of your residency. Whatever language barriers may have existed, I heard in your words a commingling of artists talents.
The text of the talk is beautiful, expecially the last two paragraphs. I've been thinking precisely in terms of ripples since last spring, when a young artist did a first exhibition in my garden. So much movement came from that, and probably more that we'll never know of. It's one of the best feelings in the world, the sense that positive ripples have been set in motion.
There's something freeing abut remembering that those ripples are out of our control and often out of our sight, I think. We don't have to grip onto a fixed outcome. What a lovely opportunity to give a young artist! They will remember it for the rest of their life.
It was truly amazing. In this case she — the artist — was the source of the ripples, and her idea to use my space for the exhibition transformed it for me in unforgettable ways. One of the things that struck me was that a young teenager who wanted to be a serious artist happened to come in with her grandparents, and the artist at my place took a long time to talk to her about the work and the process. One could feel the sense of possibility being transmitted forward, and I think that it was after that that I couldn’t get the metaphor of ripples out of my mind. It brought me so much joy.
Your project must have been a month of moments like that. Magical.
Maybe there is a new form of residency to apply for … artists who bathe… maybe as a challenge to the view of Cezanne, Seurat Ingres, or Alma-Tadema… just imagine the research, work and the tour…
I’m touched by your beautiful words about water flowing through us, not belonging to us, and returning to its source. You locate our existence humbly in the context of larger universal forces which is a right view. Reminds me of these beautiful words about children flowing through, but not belonging to, their parents:
“Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, And though they are with you yet they belong not to you. You may give them your love but not your thoughts, For they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls, For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams. You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday. You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.” -- Kahlil Gibran
Natukashiii! Spent some formative years in Morioka. Onesns were a regular part of the year round cycle. At that time the Northern Terminus of the Tohoku Shinkansen. How time changes everything. Now I believe you can go all the way to Hokkaido on the Shinkansen from Tokyo. Look forward to getting back next Spring. Also, look forward to spending some time with your article and to learn about your Artist in Residence. From the short read, of the article I enjoyed the borrowed water analogy. More time committed to this. Be well!
Yes, the Shinkansen goes all the way to Hokkaido now. Enjoy your return visit - I'm sure much will have changed, and muc stayed the same. Sukayu onsen dosen't look like it's changed much, refreshingly un-fancy, affordable, pretty retro, but also beautiful and authentic.
Love your post and your pics - what a fascinating place. Your speech was very moving and turns an everyday thing, water, into something beautiful and full of mystery. I shall think about your words today. Hope you manage to have a rest in Tokyo
I love the idea that we are made up of borrowed water, such an interesting post. And congrats on getting a piece into the VAS exhibition. I shall look out for it on Friday evening, as I have a prized ticket to the PV.
I can only imagine the power of your speech in such a place at such a moment. Thank you for sharing these words of beauty that have rippled out and touched my heart.
Thank you so much Jane. As you'll no doubt know, we don't often find out how our words and work ripples out, and it's always a joy to hear it has touched another.
Your residency seems to have gone in a flash. As someone who lives in a village where three rivers meet, this post resonates with me. I love the thought of us simply being temporary vessels of water.
Funny how it seemed so long at the start and then the last few days have just raced by!
The dismantling looked rather sad, but I suppose you were then free to do some exploring.
Yes, it's always a bittersweet moment whan a show comes down.
Your words and the ritual were such a thoughtful way to make us all more conscious of our borrowed water as well as our interconnectedness. We are so fortunate to be able to turn on the tap or shower and expect an endless supply (subject to rising charges) or fill a water bottle, or better still drink from fresh water in the wild. I have been enjoying all your sharing of your trip, it has been thought provoking as well as inspirational. I also have bathing envy! I appreciate your sending out these ripples of energy and life, thank you.
I'd have happily spent most of this month in an onsen if I could have! Especially once I discovered the taps where you can chuck a basin of cold water over yourself to cool off and start all over again!
Thank you Samantha for providing this account of your residency. Whatever language barriers may have existed, I heard in your words a commingling of artists talents.
The text of the talk is beautiful, expecially the last two paragraphs. I've been thinking precisely in terms of ripples since last spring, when a young artist did a first exhibition in my garden. So much movement came from that, and probably more that we'll never know of. It's one of the best feelings in the world, the sense that positive ripples have been set in motion.
There's something freeing abut remembering that those ripples are out of our control and often out of our sight, I think. We don't have to grip onto a fixed outcome. What a lovely opportunity to give a young artist! They will remember it for the rest of their life.
It was truly amazing. In this case she — the artist — was the source of the ripples, and her idea to use my space for the exhibition transformed it for me in unforgettable ways. One of the things that struck me was that a young teenager who wanted to be a serious artist happened to come in with her grandparents, and the artist at my place took a long time to talk to her about the work and the process. One could feel the sense of possibility being transmitted forward, and I think that it was after that that I couldn’t get the metaphor of ripples out of my mind. It brought me so much joy.
Your project must have been a month of moments like that. Magical.
What a beautiful story and way to pay tribute to your time there ❤️
Thank you Paul.
Heaven. Great to hear your news and about your practice. Very inspirational.
I'm glad to hear it RG!
Thank you for sharing this Samantha. Beautiful
You are so very welcome Melissa, and thank you for following along with my expereinces here!
Maybe there is a new form of residency to apply for … artists who bathe… maybe as a challenge to the view of Cezanne, Seurat Ingres, or Alma-Tadema… just imagine the research, work and the tour…
You know, I think you might be onto something!
I’m touched by your beautiful words about water flowing through us, not belonging to us, and returning to its source. You locate our existence humbly in the context of larger universal forces which is a right view. Reminds me of these beautiful words about children flowing through, but not belonging to, their parents:
“Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, And though they are with you yet they belong not to you. You may give them your love but not your thoughts, For they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls, For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams. You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday. You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.” -- Kahlil Gibran
That is such a beautful connection to make, Baird. As always you join the dots, thank you!
Thank you for sharing elements and moments from your amazing residency in Japan Sam
You're so very welcome Heather, thank you so much for following along!
Natukashiii! Spent some formative years in Morioka. Onesns were a regular part of the year round cycle. At that time the Northern Terminus of the Tohoku Shinkansen. How time changes everything. Now I believe you can go all the way to Hokkaido on the Shinkansen from Tokyo. Look forward to getting back next Spring. Also, look forward to spending some time with your article and to learn about your Artist in Residence. From the short read, of the article I enjoyed the borrowed water analogy. More time committed to this. Be well!
Yes, the Shinkansen goes all the way to Hokkaido now. Enjoy your return visit - I'm sure much will have changed, and muc stayed the same. Sukayu onsen dosen't look like it's changed much, refreshingly un-fancy, affordable, pretty retro, but also beautiful and authentic.
Love your post and your pics - what a fascinating place. Your speech was very moving and turns an everyday thing, water, into something beautiful and full of mystery. I shall think about your words today. Hope you manage to have a rest in Tokyo
Yes, it's been fascinating, and Ilve enjoyed the chance to get out of the city this week, before I plunge into the megacity that is Tokyo!
I love the idea that we are made up of borrowed water, such an interesting post. And congrats on getting a piece into the VAS exhibition. I shall look out for it on Friday evening, as I have a prized ticket to the PV.
Enjoy the preview! my work isn't in VAS but in 'Nature Turns' curated by the RSA, which I think will be in the downstairs galleries. Have fun!
Oh good, will be easier to find no doubt than the scrum upstairs!
I can only imagine the power of your speech in such a place at such a moment. Thank you for sharing these words of beauty that have rippled out and touched my heart.
Thank you so much Jane. As you'll no doubt know, we don't often find out how our words and work ripples out, and it's always a joy to hear it has touched another.
The small water ceremony and your thoughts on it are beautiful. I can imagine that your art resonates a lot with the Japanese way of thinking.
🙏