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March 26, 2006
Meika's smile
Her smile is a delicious enigma.
Posted by Johnny at 05:29 PM
March 25, 2006
KAI Akemi and HIINA Kayuli
The two Japanese doll artists, KAI Akemi and HIINA Kayuli, are the closest of friends. They both have own original styles, which seem to be in contrast with each other.
In my opinion, KAI Akemi's works directly connect to the collective unconsciousness. HIINA Kayuli's works, on the other hand, express her subjective existence. However, I feel something common in the deep portion of their arts. I think I can grasp an essence of Japanese culture when I figure out what it is.
Posted by Johnny at 04:26 PM
March 19, 2006
"Fille de Secret-Coeur" by HIINA Kayuli
 | Photo Book "Fille de Secret-Coeur" HIINA Kayuli KANZEN (Dec. 2004) See details at Amazon.co.jp  |
It is a mysterious silent drama of life and death of a girl living alone in an old-style mansion and her mirror-image/alter ego. The actresses are dolls. Look at the heroine doll; her infant body, angelic, lovely mouth, and eyes that express her tenacious desire to exist despite her desperate loneliness and darkness of mind. I'm sure you will feel the cruelty and wistfulness in her existence. I've never seen an artist who gave such a complex and profound expression of mentality to a doll. She showed an attainment of the highest degree of Japanese doll arts which differ from Bellmer's art by the presence of a will to portray inwardness.
Posted by Johnny at 09:37 PM
March 13, 2006
The birthday
March 13th is Hans Bellmer's birthday. He was born in 1902 in Kattowitz, Germany (now Katowice, Poland). Kattowitz was a city of coal mining and steel production. Bellmer's father was a competent engineer but a domestic tyrant, regarding Bellmer's reminiscences. His mother, on the other hand, was an affectionate mother. His family environment fostered his antipathy to repressive authorities and his attachment to childhood amusements, such as playgames and toys.
Posted by Johnny at 12:57 AM
March 03, 2006
HINA-MATSURI
March 3rd is a special day for Japanese young girls and their families. "HINA-MATSURI" (Doll Festival) is one of Japanese traditional events. The families display "HINA-NINGYO", which is a set of dolls dressed in traditional costumes, to celebrate the healthy growth of their daughters and pray for their happiness.
"HINA" (or "HIINA") is an ancient Japanese word for a small doll. "HINA-MATSURI" has two historical origins: (1) "HIINA-ASOBI" (playing with dolls) in the Heian period (794-1192), and (2) an ancient purification ritual in which people transfer their "KEGARE" (spiritual impurities) to simple paper dolls and throw them into rivers. It is interesting for me that this unique event originated from both of the entertaining activity and the magical ritual.
Posted by Johnny at 11:03 PM