Utrecht dairy
From 2006～07, I stayed in the Netherlands for a year as an artist fellowship.
20th May, (sunday), 2007
I wanted to go out by bicycle because the sun was still shining around the noon.
In the football coart, nobody was there today. It is unusual because every weekend many people were playing the succer game on the beautiful grass ground. I went the tennis coart next to there. Recently I watch playing tennis on holiday. I really want to play tennis. But the other hand, I am afraid of my backache.
When I was riding bicycle on the small lane of the side of canal, I found a lot of the wild duck. Maybe they are parent and babies. They are so cute! I stop my bicycle. I am staring at them and keeping quiet. Then they are walking toward me! And they are pecking my shoe and sock. ( That is left picture) It tickle me many times. I can't stand that, and I scream ' Please stop it, please!'
And then I went there 50 meters, I found the 3 children playing with the air boat just opposite side of the canal. They put on the swimsuit. I hesited a little , but I took a piture of them. They looked me seriously a little. So I said by loudly voice ' Not cold?' But I could not get their answer. Then I made an cold gesture. They said 'No!' with smiling faces.
Next I went to my favorite area by bicycle.There was a large grassland. But a man was already sitting on my favorite bench. I had to look for the other comfortable place. I sat on the bench beside canal. And I open the book 'Norwegian Wood'. I read it for a while. It was parfectly quiet place expect sometimes wild black bird were coming and crying. Actually I brought 2 can beers and some dry foods for the break. I ate some, then I was so refresh.
22nd, 05, (tuesday)
Today, I finally got a visa(berblijfsdocument). I went to the Gemeente Utrecht in the morning. This card saied I can stay in the Netherlands until 23rd-December-2007. It was very hard for me to get this card. I applied it last September. Sometimes I went to Gemeente, and called IND. I was nurvous every time. Once time I had to represent the document to IND. Then I finally got it today.
But I was not so pleasure. I don't know why? I was just relieved.
24th, May, (thursday)
Today's sunshine was like a summer. That same weather continued 3 days. Every Dutch people put scanty clothing on suddenly. Men were put t-shirt on and women put short skirt on by bicycle. Sunshine was strong, but the shade was little cool. It was nice.
I finished my work and left the GAU at around 5pm almost every day. But Sunshine was still very strongly. I came back my home by walk, I was sweating much. My room was very bright light from the west window. And I had to took a shower and had a dinner. Resently the sun set around 9pm. Perfect dark night come about 10:30pm. Usually I went to bed at 11pm. It was strange atmosphere for me. Hoooo!
By the way, I like speaking with Lyjia. But Lyjia almost couldn't speak english. Sometimes we wrote Kanji each other. So I really understood what he wanted to say. I was not any nervous. I was comfortable. If he could speak english fluently, maybe I had to be not comfortable. It was curious a bit.
29th, May. (tuesday)
Today was colder than yesterday. It was like a beginning of winter. It was strange wheather recentry. 2 weeks ago, it was like a summer though.
Petra's friend, Hungarian, Gergo showed me his works today. They were almost nice. He was a student yet. He have finished academy's exchange student. He had to come back Hungary after 2weeks. He came to GAU about 3weeks ago. At first he made one screen print. And then he tried to make a stone lithograph by using a big monster lithograph machine. It was very old traditional machine, but it moved like a steam locomotive. I felt it was exciting. Petra teached him about making litho, and using this machine. Sometimes he helped her works. They looked really friendly. So at first I misunderstood he was her brother.
The other hand, Lyjia brought this (left picture) music CD for me. Actually he had a lot of books about Japan. Sometimes he brought them for showing me. When he was a young, maybe he studied about Japan hard. Last day, Dodog and Lyjia and I sang ' Koibitiyo' togather while we saw the u-tube. Lyjia loved this song. I loved it too.
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1st, June, (friday)
Finally, busy work started today. The exchage exhibitin was comming soon.
Dodog, Makiko, Niers, Hanse, Yoris, and the other 3 volunteer(I don't know their name) gathered for the exchange exhibition in the morning. We had to divide many works into 3 group, stud huis, CBKU and the other place. It almost finished around the noon.
But we had to put new prints from Japan into frames. Makiko ordered mats paper immediately. Dodog, Hanse and I cut the mut paper, put them into second hand frame, because we had to finish that work today. It was very hard work.
After work, we had a break drinking beer in front of GAU. It was still light although at around 7 pm. Hans called his family, and he invited us for dinner. Actually Hanse's house was near the GAU. His wife made risotto and his two sons set a table. We had a delicious dinner with white wine. We talked about the exhibition, son's school, Japanese culture, and so on. We had a traditional Dutch desert. It looks like Japanese 'takoyaki'. But it was sweet tast, and of course it didn't have a piece of octopus.
On the way to home, I was thinking about my life of Netherlands. Everyday I went GAU to work, and came back home directly at the same time. But that was not wrong way. That was my way, I thought that.
(the picture: Hans and Makiko were checking new prints from Japan.)
6th, June, (wednesday)
Gergo was nice young Hungarian. He was a exchange student of Den Haag art academy to Hungary. He tried to make a big lithograph print by using a big machine in GAU. Petra, also Hungarian, helped him. ( I attached a picture that they just printed his lithograph work.)
2 day ago, when Japanese people just arrived at GAU for the exchange exhibition. Cisca talked about their opening party.
Today, Canadian, Japanese and Dutch people, about 20 parsons gathered in a cozy restaurant. Mr. and Mrs. Iida, S-san and I joined the party. We enjoyed delicious French food. These were expensive a little. I also enjoyed to talking to Canadian artists in front of my seat. It was so nice.
7th, June, (thursday)
I finished new work ‘ cheese museum Alkmaar.'( left picture ) I went Alkmaar about one month ago. I was intereted in the wall of famouse cheese museum. It was decorative and complicated. I sketched it for this new work.
C-san, S-san and I had to buy many materials for making Sushi. I just finished my new work, we went to Toko and Alburt Huin. It was horrible hot day today. I was so thirsty during shopping. So I bought 'tohu' for dinner.
I come back my apartment, and had a dinner. K-san and H-san, were staying my apartment for a few days, were satisfied to eat tohu and to drink beers. I served up Japanese curry ＆ rise which I made 2 days ago. It was also very deliciouse.
T-san and S-san came my apartment to stay for the exchange exhibition. H-san was a printer of studio in Yokohama. He was just arrived Utrecht in this evening.
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8th, June, (friday)
Finally, the opening of the exchange exhibition which was between the printing studio of the Netherlands & Canada & Japan, was coming today.
We started to make Sushi before noon. S-san and H-san helped us. We made 60 rolls Maki-sushi and a lot of Inari-sushi. And we finished just before opening party.
We went to stud huis together. A few Dutch friends already came there. A few time later, Dick Burna was coming. He looked like very gentle. Many Japanese people asked him for getting his sign. He signed on Miffy goods with talking to the every Japanese parson. I wanted to ask him same doing, but I couldn't do that. I could talk with him for a short time. I was taking about my wife who loved his work. He smiled gently, and I was very excited.
After a formal opening ceremony, we went to GAU by old boats by using canal. About 40 parson rode on two small wooden boats. It was a really nice cruise. There were fresh air, blowing the wind, everybody seemed to enjoy it. Maybe I would never forget this experience.
The second opening party was held in GAU. We enjoyed more freely than stud huis, and we ate three different country food. The Dutch food were croquette and new herring. The Canadian food was salmon. And Japanese food was Sushi. Every foods were delicious. The new herring was pretty fine taste. It was amazing! We sang many songs by Karaoke and dancing. I sang ‘ Dancing Gueen ' and ‘Shake in a baby '.
Dodog seemed really happy tonight. He was dancing and laughing. Good job, Dodog! Congratulation!
10th, June ( sunday)
I took a small trip today. I went to the south Netherland town ‘Middeldurg'. It was the next town to Belgie. It was far from Utrecht. I had to take a train for two hours.
When I arrived there, I had a lunch. I ate a spaghetti with meat sauce. That's taste was same the Japanese one.
I walked around the center of the town. I took a picture of the church.(left picture ) Suddenly a man riding a bicycle called me. He asked me where I came from.
He also stayed Japan about 3 weeks long time ago. He interested in Asia. According to him, Middelburg town was a relationship about the bomb between Nagasaki city. We hit it off, and he invited me to his house.
Actually he was an anusual collecter. He collected Penis goods. He was gey and gently parson. I went to his house, and he showed me a lot of penis collections. He served me a cup of coffee. We had just a good conversation, then I went out his house, that's all, off course.
Middelburg town was not so big. I went to museum, church, stud huis, and so on. This town was also quiet at sunday. Almost shops were closed because it was Dutch style. I didn't sketch for new work today.
11th, June, (monday)
When I was going to go outside fron the studio, Gergo said to me,'Come!' He led me to near his lithograph print which he finished new one last week. It's size was about 70cm × 1m. Suddenly, he signed his name on it, and then he wrote ‘for Sakuta'. (Actually, I presented him Japanese handkerchief last week.)
I knew that this work was very precious for him. He and Pedra used a monster lithogragh machine to make it. They took risks by using old machine a bit. But they tried to do for good experience. I liked that's kind of try. And I knew that they had to hard work to make it. Actually, he couldn't make it during the GAU's opening time. Because he was free of using fee of studio and traffic fee from Den Haag instead of working for GAU. He always started his work after 5 pm. Sometimes they worked during all night, but they had to come at 9 am next day. Sometimes he was very exhausted. So I advised him to take care of his health. Last friday, he seemed nervous, because he was going to finish to print by last plate. And I thought he made a wonderful work finally( left picture). And I also knew that his work's edition was only 11 and he had to came back to Hungary tomorrow.
I was not sure that I was crying a bit when I said to him ‘thank you.' I didn't know why I couldn't control of my mind. I said ‘I am glad!' many times.
I went out of GAU, and walked on the way to my apartment with tears in my eyes. I couldn't stop to flow tears during a walk for a while.
12th, June, (tuesday)
Yesterday, Cisca said that she had an appointment for us to visit the Dick Bruna's studio. Today, I was planed to hang pictures for exchange exhibition at the other hall. But Dodog said to me that I should go to Bruna's studio.
At the morning, we gathered GAU. Japanese were five parson, Canadian were two, and Cisca. Cisca led us to Bruna's studio. We walked about 15 minutes, and arrived his studio. It was near the Dom tower, but quiet area.
Bruna was gentle and kind. He was almost 80 years old, but his face looked bright. I felt that his studio was not so gorgeous. It was light room with a high ceiling. There were many miffy books, goods and posters. We could find many Japanese one. We talked about his work, Japanese Origami, and so on. I-san showed us small Japanese tea ceremony. We enjoyed that. I felt comfort.
I recogniged that he didn't need a rich studio. Maybe he needed just a desk and a comfortable chair.
Anyway, I really wanted to get a Bruna's signature, because my wife loved miffy. Yesterday, I wanted to buy miffy's T-shirts at the Miffy museum. But it was closed on monday. I looked for miffy goods, and I bought a small Dutch miffy book at Hema. Today, I asked him to sign for my wife. He said, sure!. It was really satisfied for me.
15th, June,(friday)
We were going to Rijksmuseum Kroller-Muller today. Actually I had visited there last Autumn by alone. It was difficult to go there by bus. I forgot to rent a bicycle at the gate, so I had to walk to museum for one hours.
Japanese 7 parsons, Canadian 3, Dutch 2 were gathered GAU in the morning. Hans and Anne drove thier cars, and other people were on them. Weather was not so good. Sometimes it sprinkled.
We arrived at the gate of large park by car. And then we each rented the bicycles to the museum.
Kroller-Muller was a famouse museum of the Netherlands as outside sculptures. And it had a lot of famouse Gogh' paintings. Every Dutch artists recommended it.
Anyway, we enjoyed to see works for one hour. I could see Lukas Cranach' painting again. And we went outside, took a lunch. We walked around to see a lot of sculptures for two hours.
Then we took bicycle again, went to the famous lodge. And we come back to GAU br car.
Hans invited all of us for dinner. I bought a wine, then I went to Hans's house. Hans and his wife treated us kindly. I had a several kinds of delicious foods. I could enjoyed that wonderful dinner again. It was super fine night.
16th, June, Saturday
We had a third opening party of exchange exhibition. That's hall( left picture) was in 10 minutes from Central Station by bus. It was modern and cozy building. But it was not a museum, rental space.
At first Ineke gave a speech, then several kinds of work shop started. There were Oribami-workshop by S-san, JapneseTea celemony by I-san, lecture of Japanese paper from O-san, and so on. I played soccer with Ineke's daughters on the grass. It refreshed me.
After the party, we come back to Central station together, and went Greek restaurant ‘Taberuna'. I was talking with Darlene and I-san for a long time.
Today, my mind was getting down. Because my assistance was almost finished. I could not join this project more.
I really felt that my most exciting time was over.
27th, June, wednesday
Today was last day which I-san and Y-san could stayed GAU. Finally, all Japanese exchange members would leave here today. Marijke was also last Canadian member. Y-san brought Japanese Soba from Japan. I also brought Sobatsuyu from my apartment. We prepared Zaru-soba for the evening good-bye party.
About around 4 pm, some Dutch peoples came to GAU. Every person ate Soba a little, and said good-bye to them each. They almost left GAU around 5 pm. Dodog, C-san, I-san, Y-san and I stayed there. We drunk a lot of wine, ate junk food. And we sang a song and danced by Karaoke. We talked so much. Dodog cried. He couldn't stop that. So we couldn't leave him alone there.
Two Japanese left there at the midnight finally. Dodog and me contiued to drink for an hour, and finished. We went out of GAU, it started to rain. Dodog drunk much. He rode a bicycle, but he couldn't go straight. It was very dangerous on the slippy road. At once he tumbled off a bicycle. I was very worried about him.
Every big project has been over today.
29th, June ,friday
In these days, cold day continued. I put LL Been jeans on, clothes and sweater besides. Yesterday althogh it was June now, I had to use an electric fire for my working at GAU. According to the Dutch people, last June was too hot. They worried about this strange weather.
Lelis was planed to have solo exhibition next month. Someone was making a film of him at GAU. I guessed that he used this film for solo exhibition as commercial himself. He acted various performance, printing, drying paper, brought a flame and so on. Someone teased him about his bald head, ‘Your head was shining under the lighting.' I also teased him, ‘ There was a movie star.' He answered me, ‘ Hey, Tomiyuki!.'
Recently, I recommended to call me my first name. Only Ton, CBKU director, called me Tommy. Everyone called me Sakuta, because maybe Dodog called me Sakuta-san. But sometimes Petra called me Tomiyuki recently. Cisca also did so.
Anyway, on the way to my apartment, I met Hans's wife. She was coming by bicycle, and we were talking on the road. About two weeks ago, Hans and his wife invited all artists of exchange exhibition. They treated us very kindly, and we ate delicious foods. She liked Japanese women, Y-san and N-san. She already missed them. She said that Japanese women were very kind and polite. Hans, Nijls, Dodog, every Dutch people liked Japanese women. I was proud of that.
30th, June , saturday
Recentry, sometimes I imagined to go back to Japan. Almost 2 months later, I had to go back. I really thought that I was in my dream now. Sometimes it was bad dream, and sometimes it was beautiful dream.
I went to Delf town for buying souvenirs. I walked about 20 minutes from Delft station, I could find the Royal Delf factory. There were a lot of visitors in there. I joined in the guide tour, and I looked around in the factory. I didn't expect anything before coming, but it was interested for me.
I wanted to present S-san Taiwanese teacher Delft dish. But real Royal Delft were very expencive, because they were drawn by workman everything. If it was not real Royal Delf, I could buy big one cheap. I hesitated what I should do. But I found middle nice one. It was not like gorgeous but it was simple and real Royal Delft one. I desided to buy this one for teacher. I also bought 8 oval dishes for my relatives and Emi's them. They were not Royal Delft, but I liked their desighn. I spent 300 euro for souvenirs today.
1st, July, sunday
July was just beginning today.
It was fine day today. Cold day continued for a few days. I wanted to go out after Skype.
I went to my favorite area by bicycle. It was large grass land, small hill and cannal. I sat on the bench on the top of the hill. The sun was shining strongly, and clouds were moving speedily. What a beautiful day! So I felt comfort, and I opened the book ‘ Norwegian Wood' again.
After for a minute, a man come by bicycle and sat next to me on the bench. He spoke to me by Dutch. I couldn't understand any his words, but I just smiled and looked up the blue sky. It was enough for us. He seemed about 70 years old. He talked me that he just finished exercise at the near sports gym for 3 hours. Sometimes he spoke to me by Dutch. We looked down the large green grass a long while. He left there 30 munites later.
A few young boys and girls were runing around there. Some Dutch peoples took a walk with their dogs. I looked at them in an absent way.
13Th, July, friday
On the way to GAU, I called at small post office in the morning. I asked the staff how to send the luggage to Japan. He gave me some labels of luggage. And I asked Dodog how to write this. It was so expencive to send it. The sending by airplane(priority) was 98 euro each. The ship(economy) sending was 53 euro. Maximum of weight was 20 kg. Priority sending needed only 5 days to bring it to Japan. Economy one will be taken for 8 weeks.
Before a half of a year, I couldn't ask the staff of post office or could not understand his answer. But today I could do it. Just like that, I was satisfied with it.
I-san said that language was just a tool thing. He could speak english very well. Sometimes I considered what his saying mean. I thought that it was enough to use when I needed it.
I finished a new work. It's title was ‘ Utrecht girl' ( left picture). It's asmosphere was getting light a bit, but still dark. I guessed that my feeling reflected my work parfectly.
14th, July, saturday
I went to Amsterdam to look around the galleries. I went there before, I couldn't find the galleries much. So I tried to find them once more before I left the Netherlands.
Today, I walked toward opposite side of the town. I always walked to the east side to visit the Rembrandt Huis and so on. I visited west cherch, And I went into high-grade department store for the first time in the Netherlands.
I walked into the gallery's area. And I lokked around for a long time to find them with map. But I almost couldn't do it today, too. Instead of gallery, I found a strange moter bike. I sometimes saw that's kind of funny design. That was Dutch style? I thought. (left picture)
Anyway, I went to Rembrandt Huis today, too. I searched the useful something for my report of Rembrandt Study.
Today was warm day. It was cloudy, but south wind was blowing hard. the blue sky appeared at th evening.
16th, July, monday
Early morning, it was heavy rain, and thundered. It was still dark, and strange weather.
When I got up, it changed to the almost fine. And I felt that finally the summer was coming .
I arrived at GAU around 10am, but the door was closed yet, I guessed that Petra was late by traffic accident or something. I asked the next door, CBKU stuff. Sandra opened the door for me. After a hour, Petra was coming. She talked about the train accident. She went to Den Haag station at 7 am. But the train was almost chanceled by morning storm. Then she went into the train, but it didn't move. And passenger had to changed the other train. Finally it started, but it moved very slory. And it stopped every station.
I drew a sketch of new work. I wanted to draw ‘ boat people'. I could see a lot of boat people in the cannal. I was just interested in their life style. Attached picture was just boat. But I wanted to draw the combination of small boat and parson's shape.
At the evening, I looked for some sourvenirs at Hema and Blockers. I got miffy socks for wife.
17th, July, tuesday
I thought that summer has come in the Netherland perfectly.
I asked T-san about souvenirs from the Netherlands. She recommended a pack of coffee. Actually she worked in Japan, and she stayed Netherlands to make prints within 3 months. She often repeated those life style. She always bought many coffees for souvenirs. And she sent them by air mail before going to Japan. I bought 8 pack of coffees today.
I finished to work at around noon, and I went to Amsterdam. I wanted to visit AGA studio at once before going back to Japan. So I sent a e-mail to the AGA director 2 days ago, but he didn't answer.
I dropped in there at about 2 pm, but nobody was there without a woman. AGA studio was closing until the middle of August. The director also had vacation now. I talked with that women, but maybe she almost couldn't understand my English.
30th, July, monday
I recieved an e-mail from SSH in the morning. According to that, everything was no problem. I didn't need pay rental fee and other money any more. So I sent SSH a final e-mail.
I worried about that final contact with SSH for a long time. Today, maybe apartment trouble was over. I didn't have any trouble now. I should be more delighted.
I went to GAU, and worked an interval of a week. Recently, some artists come to take their personal art material from GAU, because GAU was closed for construction from September. I met Nena today. I also met her at the time of my exhibition. We had never seen for a long time.
Anyway, maybe I spent most longest time in GAU than any other parson during last one year. Almost every Netherlands artist made not only print but also the other media of art. Even so, I guessed that they didn't work printing so much.
31st, July, tuesday
I had to send 2 luggages to Japan today. One was used clothes, books, sourvenirs, and so on in it. The other one was my print works which I drought from Japan. At first, I wanted to send only works by plane. But sending cost was really expencive, so I sent it by ship, too.
I brought one luggage to GAU from my apartment by bycicle. I packed parfectly by clear tape. And I brought it to the post office. Unfortunaly, it was 20.6kg. Actually, maximum weight was 20kg. It was only 0.6kg over. I asked the post office staff to send it. But he didn't say yes. I was very disappointed. I had to cut the clear tape, though I packed parfectly just now. I had to pack again, and also write into a new label. I brought the other my work laggage to there. It was 10.4kg. Oh no! If the weight was below 10kg, the cost was almost half price....
After that, I bought a Japanese Sake at Toko. I put it into the Japanese small sack. I visited Ierus's solo exhibition near oudegraght street( left picture). That gallery was a little large and clean. Ierus was not there. I asked the staff to hand it to Ierus, bacause I had to leave next month.
1st, August, wednesday
Flnal month, August started today.
When I reached GAU, Sisca already started her work. We are always working just next desk. And we used a small light each for drawing on the desk.
Sisca said in joke, ‘ This light is very good. But our area is doubtful a bit like a red-light in Amsterdam.' Red light? Maybe red light was the ‘red-light district'....
My new work just finished. Dodog was coming to see it. I said to him,‘This is boat people.' He said ,‘ No. so....It's a red lights. You know, red lights? ' I said, ‘I know. I can see it near the GAU.' Dodog said, ‘Yeah. But it's different. It's a near the Utrecht, but it's a boats.' I said, ‘ Boat?' Dodog said, ‘ There are many boats there. Their business open very early, 7 o'clock. And many people go there by car.' I said, ‘Really?.... How many boat?' Dodog said, ‘ A lot of.'
I saw my new work again. A swimming woman seemed erotic a bit, too. Many windows and curtains looked like a‘red-light's. I said, ‘ What was called from Utrecht people?' Dodog said, ‘ Floating Paradise.' I said,‘ Oh! It's nice, it's nice naming.' So I desided that it's title was Floating Paladise.
I came back GAU. It was a little busy today. 2 days before, Dodog started to do his work. Petra continued to clean for constraction. Riija was closing the rat's hole on the wall today, too. He made a board which the rats couldn't come into the studio floor. Actually, the rat was big problem now. The rat gnawed a hole through the wall, and ate scraps which was in the trush bag. Sisca was making a new etching work. Makiko asked Dodog about my farewell party at day after tomorrow. We talked about everything. I felt happy and comfort, too.
2nd, August, thursday
Today was my farewell party. I pretended to be usual day today, but actualy I expected much.
After 5 o'clock, we gathered at the cozy gerden of CBKU. I never seen there before. Dodog. Makiko, Rijia already prepared the foods. Sandra dought wines. Every foods were delicios. My favorite one was Rijia's Wantan-soap. Rijia worked at chinese restaurant before. It was so nice. Every Wantan had a small shrimp. Dodog's Indonesian fish paste was also nice. It was sweat and hot. CBKU present me black T-shirt. Petra gave me a book which she made by silk screen and music CD-R. Rijia presented me a big magnifying glass. Makiko presented me my picture with flame. I took many presents.
Anyway Petra didn't say anything about her homecoming. She went home at day after tomorrow. I recognized it was the time I had to say good-by to her. So It was last time we could be together.
3rd, August, friday
T-san, etching printmaker, was coming the Netherlands today. He worked in the printmaking department of Tsukuba university as a teacher. He got a fellowship, and he could stay in the Stockholm print studio for a half year, from June to November. This time it was a first trip for him. He went from Stockholm to Paris by plane, and to Amsterdam by Talys train. He reached Utreht Centraal at noon. I went there to see him. I hadn't seen him for a long time. I noticed that he was very polite parson. I bought a Japanese Sushi at the Tiny Tokyo for our lunch, though they were a little expencive. His purpose was visiting GAU, bacause S-san recommended it to him.
Today Dodog and other CBKU stuff had to take off the print works at the stad huis. And he was planning to go to Delft around 5 pm, too. So he had not much time. We ate a Sushi and talked a lot.
Petra was coming to make screen print today. She was printing on large clothes recently. She will return to the high school teacher from September. Once time she stopped teaching, and worked in art material shop this year. She was nice. Last time she teached me where I could buy the exposion film. And Anke was also coming to make etching print. I also hadn't seen her for a long time. She attended the Gampi workshop before. She presented me a big her print at that time, so I presented her my small work today. We chatted together with a cup of coffee.
Actually, T-san got a strained back at start date of his trip. At long last, he could move a bit, and started to take a trip. But he seemed still hard to walk.
4th, Aug, Saturday
The World Art Delft's project already started yesterday. Once time we went that gallery before with Dodog. Exactly it was really nice location, but I was not good at many persons actually. And in this time, we will stay, and sleep in tent for 2 or 3 nights. Dodog recommeded me to join it before.
Dodog and S-san already arrived there yesterday. Today I reached there berfore noon. Many artists alredy worked activity. I guessed that participants almost within 10 artists until today. But there were about 20 artists. Every participants, staffs, supporters were almost 30 persons there. I recognised and surprised that it was a big project. Artists came several countries each. There were from Hollands, Greece, Itaria, Indonesia, Japan, America, garmany and so on. Every artist were serious and polite.
I started my work around a noon. I picked up old wood in the garden, and asked the stuff to cut it. And I painted white base acrylic ink on the wood many times. And I had to wait to dry ink for a long time. I was not sure what I should draw. The old wood alredy had a few holes. I desided that I could used that holes instead of human's eyes. So I started to draw at last.
The dinner was very gorgeous and quite deliciouse.( left picture) I had never ate that nice Dutch foods before. After the dinner, 2 young artist's presented a mini music consert. It was also nice and they sang a good harmony.
5th, August, sunday
From yesterday, it was fine day continued. It was nice for this project, because the gallery were in beautiful country side, and had a large green grasses. Around the gallery was really nice location.
I worked to paint from morning. I sat on the chair under the tree shade. Sometimes comfortable wind was blowing. After a few hours, the tree shade moved, so I also moved under that. I was drawing alone during a day. But sometimes someone was interested in my work, and asked me about my work. It was good atmosphere.
Anyway, maybe I was getting familier with 2 artists. One guy was greece artist, Sarantis. He had a very gently eyes. But he didn't speak English well. And other guy was Garman artist, Wolfgang. At first, he introduted himself ' Amadeus Mozart', so everyone called him Amadeus. He was gentle, and speaked clear English. At the midnight, almost artists ware talking beside a fire in the darkness. Wolfgang and I were talking about a lot of things, difference of Garman between Japanese artist, culture, and so on. We talked about a next trip of Middle Europe. He recommended me many palces, museums, restaurants.
I always wanted to join that kind of conversation. But sometimes I couldn't do that. I was too shy. But tonight I could join them easily, because maybe I could talk with him. I really apreciated his kindness.
6th, August, monday
We ate a Indonesian food, Nashigoren, in the morning. Dodog made it, and it was quite deliciouse. I liked Indonesian food. It was spicy and hot.
The project was over before noon. I draw 2 works until yesterday. ( left picture)
I went to Amsterdam from Delft by train. I went to JAL Airline to pick the flight ticket up. It was very important ticket to Japan. And I came back to Utrecht at the evening.
Finally, this project were good experience for me. I could to meet and talk many artists who were from different countries. Maybe it was preciouse experience. Perhaps I could never join that exciting project in the future.
8th, August, wednesday
Today, I finished final work in the Netherlands. And it was also last day to work in GAU.
I went to GAU in the morning. Ierus was already working. Sisca was also. Recently, sometimes new artists was coming to take their personal belongings away, because GAU was under constraction from next month. A woman was printing etching work by using old plate. I thought that it was nice. I guessed that she used to print etching long time ago. Nils was coming. Maybe it was last day to meet him today. I want to see Hans again, but it was impossible.
Around the noon, Anke was coming to print etching again. She asked me how to use Gampi. I didn't have enough time to tell her, but I wanted to do something for her. Because last the time, she recommended to stay her hut in the garden of her house when I was really nurvous about my apartment trouble last winter. At that time, many people helped me. Hans called to apartment company and sent to email for me. Nirus explained how to claim. And he said to me that if I worried about that apartment trouble, he went to company with me anytime. Mayoline recommend to go there immediately by her car. Anke recommended to stay her hut. I would never forget their kindly help. When I remembered at that time, I couldn't hide my tears still now.
Anyway, I finished final work‘ leaving'. I expressed that I had to leave here, but otherhand I keeped to stay here more. After that, I cleared the desk, drawer and other every my tool. There were empty parfectly. Every my work were over. And I felt also empty.
21st, August, tuesday
I sent 2 luggages to Japan by priority( plane). Total sending cost was 150 euro. It was expensive, but they arrived Japan after a week.
I went to GAU, and presented Rijia my bicycle. Makiko presented me small cute pepper pot. And we shaked hand and said good-bye each other. My wife and Rijia and I talked for about 2 hours in GAU. It was last talking in GAU.
Emi and I walked around the Utrecht town again. We went HEMA, book shop, and so on. We ate Dutch typical pancake just beside the Oudegraght cannal. It was baked with bacon and apple on top. It was a litte strange taste, but not bad.
We returned apartment and took a rest. We took a nap for a while, and got up in hurry. Because we almost overslept for my farewell party at Dodog's house. We took rice cooker and printer to there. Rijia was already there. At first, we ate Rijia's wantan with soysouse. And then Dodog's Indonesian food. These were so delicious. He was a very good cooker. I was always impressed his cooking. So I presented Dodog rice cooker, printer and letter. He asked me to read my letter in Japanese, but I couldn't do that. If I read a few line, I must wept. We enjoyed talking very much, and also drunk a beers and wine much. Around the midnight, we finished our party.
Thanks a lot, Dodog. I really appriciated your kindness. And Thanks Rijia. We had a very good memory each other.
22nd, August, wednesday
Emi and I went to Amsterdam to walk around. First we went to Chinese restaurant' Nankikou', and ate wantan noodle. That were really nice. The soup was clear and tasty.
We walked for the west church, and arrived Anne House. There was a long line of people waiting to enter it. We had to wait under the strong sunshine for less than an hour. Actually it was very cold day in the morning, so I carried a jacket and a sweater in the rucksack. But I never need them today. We came here 2 years ago. Emi wanted to see it again. I remembered we went to Auschwitz the other day. Anne was carried to the prisoner's camp from here, and died at there.
Emi called Mrs. Kashiwagi, and then she picked us up by car with her daughter. She invited us to her house. We presented her some surveniors, dish, foods and so on. Mrs. Kashiwagi also gave us some presents. When Mr. Kashiwagi came back from company, we went to the restaurant by car together. We ate sea food, blue mussels, crabs, grilled salmon and so on. Every food were delicious for me. I couldn't eat sea foods much in Netherlands, because they were expencive. Mr. and Mrs. Kashiwagi treated us as a farewell party. We talked about the Dutch people and the other a lot of things. We enjoyed talking. I was happy to spend the final night in Netherlands with them.
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23rd, August, thursday
Finally I had to be back to Japan today.
Deperture time of the flight was evening 8 pm. Emi and I cleaned up the rooms in the morning. And I finished to pack the last baggage. The room ware blank and empty.
We took a walk neighborhood. I rememberd, first 3 months, I jogged there every morning. At that time, I felt quite lonely. I thought a lot of nervous things while the jogging. Suddenly I had a some problems. I had a terrible feeling, and worried about my future everyday. I couln't trust anybody. But the second half of a year, my emotion was getting better. And then I stoppped jogging.
We returned the apartment at once. Then I put the room keys on the table, and we leaved there finally. When I closed the front door, I looked back to the room many times.
We reached schiphol, and checked in. My ticket was not discount one, so we could use Sakura lounge of JAL. I was a little hungry, so I ate potato chips and snack at there. I also drunk beers much. And then we bought some surveniors, and got on the plane. The plane took off. I could see sunset out of the window. I had never seen such a beautiful sunset in Netherlands.
Actually I worried about my backache, because I had to sit for a long time. But I could lied on my back, because my both next seat were vacant. I slept about 5 hours. After that, I saw a movie and ate a meal. And then the plane arrived Narita airpot soon. I felt this flight time passed quickly.
Narita was so hot and humid. I didn't feel fun or sad. I was just here. My feeling was the same as the last summer.
I had to start new life now.