Kimono Gallery in Wabasha, MN

My mother-in-law introduced this interesting gallery that displays Japanese vintage kimono (kee-mo-no). The Wind Whisper West gallery is in a little town of Wabasha, 2-hour drive away from the Twin Cities along Mississippi river. Who would imagine you could find over 3,000 antique kimono from Japan. Richard, the owner, was stationed in Japan during WWII. He then became an art dealer, and in the last five years he's been collecting old kimono from Japan. Why in Washaba? Because his wife (who by the way is not from Japan) and her family are from this town. He was very interesting and told me lots of stories to the unusual Japanese visitor.

I was unable to take many photos due to the gallery's policy. But Richard let me take a few of my favorite piece. Most of the pieces displayed here are wedding kimono. Some with a very rare design and print, some are the work of famous Japanese designers like Hanae Mori and Yoji Yamamoto.



This kimono uses the color palette inspired by Shintoism. Bright yet subtle color scheme is marvelously placed in such charming details.

On the way home, we had a lunch at the Harbor View Cafe in the town of Pepin, WI. They were very nice and welcoming even though it was just the time they were closing.

A charming interior.

I ordered the catfish with hot salsa. It was really good. But a bit too much flavor in sauce—against my expectation for a light fish meal.

Braised Pork Shank was excellent.

Wind Whipser West - Kimono Gallery
http://www.windwhisperwest.com/Home.html

Utagawa: Japanese Woodblock Print

Not to miss, I went to see the exhibition of Japanese woodblock print at Brooklyn Museum. I always liked the Japanese print, specifically Ukiyo-e, for its subtle yet beautiful color scheme. I find resemblance in color pallet between kimono and west African and Indian textile, which I also adore. That makes me wonder where old Japanese people picked up such design taste? My guess is our fruitful four-season culture and the color indigenous nature of the island offers.

Each of Utagawa family has his own characteristic. A collaboration of two artists was also common where one artist did figures and another did the landscape. My favorite was the ones done by indigo. It's simply amazing how tiny details are clearly printed by one color, of course in different shades. Interesting, too, to see the difference in Japanese traditional indigo (Ai) and western indigo.

One of the work was created when the artist was over 70 years old; completion in details is almost the work of craftsman, rather than an artist.

Since I was there, I checked out MURAKAMI. I don't like it as 'art." What's interesting is (stealing my boyfriend's idea, which I agree) that he established the fact anything called art can be major influences in any other industry, including fashion and commercial. At the same time, its effective in many fields therefore makes me feel like denying its pure art. It's characters, anime, design, and phenomenon. Question of 'what's art' never gets answered, at least for me.

Richard Serra Exhibition

I can’t remember the first time I saw his sculpture. Perhaps at the Dia Beacon upstate. But I do remember becoming a huge fun of his work right away. He makes hard, heavy iron material turn into a soft, warm piece. His works, especially the later ones, are huge, environmental work. Viewers feel the piece by walking through his gigantic iron walls. Physics and artist’s skill create this magical feeling of space and gravity. It makes me feel as if I were floating in the space.

What I enjoyed most at the exhibition was his earlier works. Much smaller but same treatment of iron. It’s amazing pieces of iron can look just like leather bands and how he builds heavy pieces stand in balance that are barely touching each other.

The biggest wonder of this show is how they installed such huge pieces inside of each room.

Richard Serra - Richard Serra Sculpture: Forty Years
June 3–September 10, 2007
MoMA

PUMA Urban Jungle

What would an artist do with 1,200 shoes and 35,000 shoelaces? Make a jungle. Columbia-born conceptual artist Federico Uribe created an urban jungle with PUMA sneakers. “When I started working with shoes I could not avoid thinking where they came from and all the materials from nature that we use to comfort our life. So as a tribute to what nature gives us all, I got the idea of reconstructing nature from its own raw materials. I can not give my creations true life but I may give them the echo of life, which is as much as art can do,” says the artist. Indeed, each animal is really well made. I just don't if this 'nature' made of thousands of shoes truly contributes something to the real nature.

Toy for Curious People

Here's a toy for adults and smart, curious kids. Q-BA-MAZE's new product is series of transparent interlocking plastic cubes that can be constructed in three dimensions. The possible combinations are almost infinite. Let the metal marble run down through a smart, creative tower! Comes in a set of 12 or 36 cubes in a sleek, cool package.

Q-BA-MAZE
www.q-ba-maze.com

Art Deco in NYC

Arguably the worst area in Manhattan is 42nd street. Every time I have to go to that neighborhood, I simply wish to get the fxxk out of there. Around Port Authority, tourists and alcholics occupy the side streets. This is the street I always walk by as fast as I can. To my surprise, I found this Art Deco-style building. It's mostly covered by scaffolding so the picture unfortunately turned out a bit dark. The silver metalic element gorgeously reflects the light of the ceiling lamp and brightens the mossy green-solid black border design. Many new buildings use chic, modern designs. These new ones, if done poorly, can be uninterestingly bland architecture. I wish to see more buildings with character and history.