from Kasterlee
September 13th～30th 2010, I stayed at Frans Masereel Centrum as an artist in residence.
Friday, 10th, Spt. 2010, Utrecht
I left Narita by KLM air plane around the noon.
After the flight, about 11 hours later, I dropped on Utrecht to meet my friends. Japan was 32 degrees tempereture, but Utrecht was only 18 degrees. It was cold out side, so many people put on sweater or winter jacket.
Anyway it was 5th times visiting to Utrecht for me. Utrecht Utrecht Utrecht... Utrecht was always Utrecht. Peaple were a bit rough but open mind. It is everywhere clean in Japan. But Utrecht is not so. I feel a bit free here.
Saturday, 11th, Spt. Utrecht
I met Dodog. We went to Taberuna Greece restaurant like before. It was just beside the canal in the center of Utrecht. Nice weather today! Sunshine was brighting. A lot of visiters were walking around everywhere. It was nice atmosphere. We chatted for about 3 hours. Nothing happened. Nothing changed. Just relax.
I left Utrecht with big luggage. 3 hours later, I arrived at Brussel in Belgie.
I felt jet lag so much. Coming the afternooon, I was getting sleepy, and felt being tired.
Yesterday, it was a fine day, but today was cold and rainy again. When I arrived at the hotel, it was almost evening. But I wanted to go outside to walking around the center place called Grand Palace, quite famous square. When I arrived there, rain was over. It was changing to the clear sky. What a beautiful space! Though it was my 3rd visiting.
Sunday, 12th, Sep. Brussel
Today whole day, I could spend in Brussel. First, I went to Erasmse house which my friend recommended. It was a bit far from the center, but I could be there easy by subway. It was a cozy house. We could see many paintings, garaphics, and books about him. Middle Ages's atmosphere was drifting everywhere in this house.
Suddenly, heavy rain was coming, and then it stopped soon. I lost my way to the Royal museum again. I am not so interested in it, but I wanted to visit new Magritte Museum. It was opend resently included in the Royal museum.
It was not so bad, but I could not be satisfied of it. A lot of times, I watched his works. I didn't feel any special today.
I was very tired of seeing paintings in the Royal museum. I almost hated like Rubens's huge paintins. Actually, I am always tired of seeing paintings, but girls visiting museum are beautiful. Girls are more beautiful than famouse pictures. What do you think? I really think so.
Monday, 13th, Sep. Kasterlee
In the morning, I moved to Kasterlee. Kasterlee was in the country-side near the Antwerpen. I had come here with my wife about 15years ago.
It did not change anything around there, but every cottage's inside were renewal. It was very clean and comfort. I felt a bit nostalgically, so I went around there by bike. I remember that my wife & I went around by bike before.... Nothing changed here.
I met some foreign artists, lithographer from Antwerpen, also her 2 students, also woman from Germany, etc.
I could begin a good start here.
Tuesday, 14th, Sep,
Bit sprinkle today.
I joined a small meeting from 10am. Only 4 artists and 1 stuff gathered to talking about something with sipping coffee. At first, I almost could not understand their normal speed conversation, although english was not their native lunguage.
I talked about my works by showing my web-site about one hour. It was good way to introduce myself. It spend long time though.
Around the noon, heavy cloudy sky, but I went around the neighborfood to get a inspiration for my new work. I felt nostalgic emotion also today. I remembered about the things of 15years ago. It makes me warm, but the other hand , it give me painful.
Recently sometimes I was thinking like that way. Because I was getting old? It was not positive thinking, I know.
I cooked 'Moules au vin blanc'. Delicious!
Wednesday, 15th, Sep.
18 degrees. Cloudy then shine. Strong wind. Sometimes sunshine was coming. But already cold outside.
Finally I started my work. Actually, I brought only etching needle and scraper from Tokyo. I didn't bring any brush or other etching material. Because I wanted to start from zero.
But it was not so easy. For example, at first, I make some texture by parmanent ink on the sarface of the copper. But there was not parmanent ink there. For example, we can always use a parfect clean sarface copper in Japan, but it had already many scrach traces and in addition, it was not rectangle.
I met with that kind of differences in the Netherlands, too. We should know we were in the very good condition for making etching in Japan.
Anyway, jet-lug was barely gone. My body condition was getting better. So I could consentrate my work a bit.
Studio was cold. I could not stand it. I bought a child's pajama for my underwear.
Thursday, 16th, Sep.
In the early morning, I took a walk. I could not sleep further. Recently clear morning continued.
2 horses were next to us. They were always eating grasses. I have never seen they took a break. Anyway, what a beautiful landscape it was!
Kasterlee was in the countryside. I don't know why I didn'f feel alone.
All day long, I draw by etching needle in my cottage. But it did not finished. Anytime I draw very fine line and details. But here, I wanted to chat with artist in the studio. But I can't. 15years ago, I thought same thing. So I feel alone bit.
Friday, 17th, Sep.
Marnix came to Japan in this summer from Gent, Belgiem. I met him first time in his non-toxic workshop at Musashino Art university this summer.
He is an artist and also a teacher of printmaking in Gent Art academy. I came to Gent for meeting him from Kasterlee today.
By the way, in Belgiem nowaday, any solvent like turpentine, gasoline, benzine were not allowed to use in school. So if student want to begin to make etching, they have to do by non-toxic way.
Anyway, Marnix and I went around the Gent by bike. It was really nice. First visiting was Van Eyck's painting. It was third time to come here for me. At the first time 15 years ago, I could not move for an hour in front of the painting to be inspired perfectly. At the 2nd visiting 3 years ago, I felt it tiny one. I was not sure, but maybe I had been expected it too much. And then this time.... It was under repair. But I wasn't disappointed. I could find new that it was really painted on the board. Board's width was about 1.5cm and the borard seemed not so special one, etc.
Saturday, 18th, Sep.
We talked about Japan much. Marnix and his wife came to Japan for his work shop in this summer. His collegue Vladimir also visited Awajishima woodcut artist in residence, and stayed 3 months in Japan, 5 years ago.
I often heard about Awajishima residence from my foreign friend, but Japanese artist almost doesn't know about that system. Although Japanese couln't join it. Many superier woodcut artist visited in Awajishima, but we didn't know it well.
Anyway, they all said Japan was wonderful country. I was always proud of myself when they said that. I was glad to talk about Japan with them. I really feel I am a Japanese at that time.
Marnix and I went around a few places by bike, his Academy's studio, comtemporary museum, art material shop, art book shop, etc. Yesterday and today were clear sky, but air was a bit cold. I felt nice feeling by riding bike with Marnix. It was precicious experience.
Sunday, 19th, Sep.
I could met Ms.Rooms.
I think Rooms was special person for me in Belgium. Before 15 years ago, when my wife and I came to FMC, she assisted us. We stayed her house which was important cultural property in Belgiem, and went around Antwerpen together. It was almost first visiting Europe for us, we were inspired from everything. I couln't forget several memories at that time.
Anyway, I never expected to meet her before coming. I heard from my friend she was busy. But I could contact her, I went her house, then we went to her exhibition together. It was long-run exhibition, and also many her works were shown in modern big church in Antwerpen.
She didn't look change, I felt her energetic aura. I was enough to meet her.
テキストです。ここをクリックして「テキストを編集」を選択して編集してください。
Monday, 20th, Sep.
2nd week began.
1st work, 20×15cm, finished. Title is "warmth & pain". When I came here, I had a very nostalgical emotion. I remembered a few things gradualy and my youth also. I felt it was warm, but the other hand, it was really pain.
I never come back at that my youth. It was really sad, but I had to walk ahead.
Kasterlee was beautiful place. A lot of nature is there, tall trees, horses, sunlight through the trees, little shower. I went around by bike.
By the way, new artists came here today. A lady from Finland, she had a exhibition at gallery Harmonia in this Spring. You know, I had exhibition at the same place in this summer. It was really small world. The other girl from Brussel, she graduated academy 2 years ago. She learned only non-toxic intaglio in her academy. Actually traditional and non-toxic intaglio were mixed in this studio. She was confused a bit today.
Tuesday, 21st, Sep.
Tantan T-shirt arrived.
I missed to buy it in Brussel's shop. So I ordered it on the internet shopping. Bit releaved.
Anyway, we had a small meeting at 10am. 7 artists and 2 stuffs gathered. They seemed to talk about FMS's future, residence's judgement, etc. But I could understand only about 30% of their conversation. Poor boy! At that time , I always felt miserable.
Today's meeting also I had to talk about my work. I was nervous a bit. But in my turn. I could explain about my new work well, because I wrote about that on my blog last night.
Wednesday, 22nd, Sep.
Fine day also today. Today was warmest day since I came here. Perfect clear sky, what a beautiful day!
All day long, I worked on 2nd etching.
I often talk with young boy from Nice in etching studio. He stayed with girlfriend, and she was also working. He always listened to the music. He seemed to play guiter.
And also I talked with girl from Brussel. My first impression of her was too delicate girl. But she often spoke to me, and them she talked long time on her slow speed. Sometimes I almost understand her, but I never had stress with her. Today was her birthday. I bought small apple pies at supermarket for her birthday. Almost end of studio, I prepared her birthday celebration. I stand small candles which we used for smoking etching ground. About 7 artists gathered to sing " happy birthday", and ate a piece of cake. It was piece of cake!
Thursday, 23rd, Sep.
I worked all day long today, too.
I went outside to buy neil clipper and permanent pen. I found big supermarket accidentaly. It had everything I wanted before. It had noodle, chopstick, soy sauce, etc. Actualy I bought many noodles in Antwerpen and brought them to here last week. Because I thought I could not buy it in Kesterlee.
Anyway, all artists in FMC worked hard everyday. 2 women always started thier work at 8am. They never took a long break. They worked whole day through until closing studio 8pm. They never took a nap in the hummock.
I used to hear that Japanese businessman worked too hard without a break. But in here, Europian artists worked harder than me. At least this 3 weeks.
Friday, 24th, Sep.
Ingrid has left here. She is a teacher at Antwerpen Royal art Academy. So she was familier with Ms. rooms. My first day of here, she arrenged for me to see Vierra at Antwerpen. So I could see Vierra. Ingrid was very kindly for me, so I appriciated her help so much.
Today I suddenly remembered her work might be a grand prix at Krakow International Print Trienial last time. So I checked the website, then I noticed she was a winner. That was right. She knew also Ishiyama-san's name and work.
Her work was build to print a lot of times by same pattern on one sheet. This time, she used Japanese traditional pattern design for her lithogragh. When she said good-bye to me, I presented her Japanese traditional handkarchief. I want to see her again in Japan next Spring.
By the way, yesterday I finished 2nd work, "warmth & pain-2". Left side of the tree is tears like heavy rain. Right side is sunlight through the clouds.
Saturday, 25th, Sep.
Dodog and Nao-chan came from Utrecht.
Internet didn't work well here, so I really worried about to contact to Dodog about how to come. They came by car, they often lost their way. Then finnally they arrived FMC about 5pm, although they started from Utrecht about 12 clock.
By the way, actually almost artists went outside today, and will spend in Antwerpen or Brussel etc tonight. So today only Sherri was here. Actually Dodog's plan was that he cooks some Indonesian foods, and take a party with working artists in FMC. But unfortunately artist was only Sherri.
Anyway, we invited Sherri my cottage at 9 pm. We ate indonesian food and drink wine. They are really delicious. Sherri is vegetarian, but ate a lot of meats today.
Sunday, 26th, Sep.
Cloudy, cold, sprinkle shower a bit.
Dodog and Nao-chan left FMC at around the noon.
Studio was closed today. FMC was empty, quiet quiet quiet..
I went around near forest by bike. In the forest, very humit, we could find a lot of kind of mushroom everywhere. Their colour were brown, pink, white, and perple.
I came back the cottage, I felt to be really tired.
Monday, 27th, Sep.
Finally, my last week began. Actually I will leave here at next Thursday, very soon.
Annica came back. She did a horse riding with her family last weekend. She had a heavy muscular pain still. But she looked happy. Jonasan and Machirda came back their small trip to Brussel. They stayed thier friend's house, and maybe visited the gallery.
The other hands, new artists came. One man was from Belgie, and other women were from USA.
All day long, I worked in studio. Throught the window, we always could see 2 horses net to us.
I tried to make duifferent style 2 works. Well I already made 2 works. I like them, but I needed to make more abstract one. I didn't draw fine line. I only used deep-etching technique, and then used colour ink. I tried to use a lot of different colour, but I couldn't satisfy yet.
I always work in Japan, too. But in this FMC, it was parfectly different circumstance from Tokyo. I just worked everyday, but maybe I had a a lot of inspiration and like a motivation from other people or this situation. Of course I worried about my work, but it was positive thinking I thought. I am happy.
Tuesday, 28th, Sep.
We had a meeting 10am. I had already third time meeting, but today also I almost couldn't understand their conversdation. It depressed me and made me really miserable emotion.
What time did it depressed me ? What time did I feel so sad?
Anyway, I almost finished my work except final printing. This time, I used colour ink which I didn't use for a long time. I tried strong deep etching on the 2 plates, then I used the different colours in the depth and surface of them.
Tomorrow, I will print final one which 4 plates were printed on the one sheet.
テキストです。ここをクリックして「テキストを編集」を選択して編集してください。
Wednesday, 29th, Sep.
"Warmth & pain" was finished fefore the noon. Tomorrow I have to leave here at the noon, so I needed to finish my work until today. I was really relieved, and then I had nothing to do. I felt to be really tired gradually.
I finished working too early all the time.
By the way, Annica's exhibition will start tomorrow in FMC. She looked so happy and to be excited. Her works were already hanged on, so I could watch them.
I bought some chocolates and teas for survenier at near the supermarket. I was almost ready to leave here.
Tursday, 30th, Sep.
I had to leave at the noon.
I donated my 1 work to FMC, cleaned my cottage, and finished to pack the baggege. I was ready to go.
I saied good-bye to all friends. Tomas was from Brussel. He knew my Japanese friend Endo-san. They belonged to the same printing master corse at the Academy in Brussel. Jonasan and Matilda were from Nice. Jonasan was interested in Japanese culture. He maybe will come to Japan in the future. Shelley was from Brussel. Annika was from Finland. She already came here 5 times. Her exhibition will start in FMC this evening.
I think this residence was really good experience for me. Because I made friends.