Art Action: Support for Japan

2012-03-03T10:09:00.000Z

Hi,

Thank you so much for showing kind support and encouragement.

I know some of you are just not able to attend our Charity Silent Auction on 21st

and yet have shown such kind concern and requested another means of giving.

So I have set up a page (see below).

http://www.everyclick.com/artaction2012/info

Simply go to the page and you can give towards our effort to support artists from stricken area.

Thank you!

Kaori Homma

ONE YEAR AFTER THE TSUNAMI:

A Charity Silent Art Auction

Wednesday 21st March 2012

10-4pm viewing

5-8pm Silent Auction

at Flatplanet (downstairs)

37-39 Great Marlborough Street, Soho W1F 7JG

http://www.flatplanet.co.uk/

Supported by: The Arts Centre Group, Morphe, Wallspace,Art Action support for Japan, Arch Metrials,

UPCOMING CHARITY EVENT!

2012-02-29T17:28:00.001Z

On the 21st March we will be having a silent art auction at FlatPlanet in aid of setting up a respite residency for young Japanese artists, affected by the 3/11 earthquake and nuclear crisis last year. More information on the invite below or you can check out the facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/402560873094748/. We look forward to seeing you there!

BBC Documentary

2012-02-26T13:45:00.000Z

Finally some insight into the Fukushima crisis from the British media!! Please check out this documentary that the BBC broadcasted this Thursday. It is available until the 9th April. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01cpd2m/This_World_Inside_the_Meltdown/

"

International investigative documentary series. When a tsunami struck Japan in 2011, it swamped the Fukushima nuclear complex causing nuclear meltdown and releasing radiation that ultimately would leave hundreds of square miles uninhabitable, and cost a hundred thousand people their homes.
With unique footage and powerful eyewitness testimony from key figures in the drama - the engineers in the plant, firemen, soldiers, pilots, tsunami survivors, the Japanese prime minister and even the MD of the company operating the plant - Inside the Meltdown reveals what really happened in the extraordinary days after the tsunami as a disaster unfolded that Japan's nuclear industry said would never happen.
It tells the story of workers inside the plant's pitch-dark, radio-active reactor buildings desperately trying to stop reactors exploding as radiation levels rose inexorably. 'In the control room people were saying we were finished,' says one. 'They were saying it quietly but they were saying it.' It meets the helicopter pilots who desperately dropped water from above the radioactive cores, and the firemen who braved radiation to spray water onto melting nuclear fuel. 'We chose all the over 40s', their chief tells the programme. 'These were the guys who were not going to be having any more children.'
Inside the Meltdown also reveals the tensions between the plant's owners and an increasingly distrustful Japanese prime minister, struggling to get at the truth of what was happening, fearful the owners planned to abandon the plant. He reveals his experts at one point warned he might need to evacuate vast areas of Japan, even the capital Tokyo. 'That first week, we walked a razor thin line,' he tells This World."

573 "disaster related" deaths

2012-02-26T13:41:00.002Z

Very sad reading. But this is only the beginning.
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120204003191.htm

The meltdown and the media

2012-02-26T13:39:00.000Z

If this is the only hope to find out exactly what is happening now in Fukushima and the rest of the hope for want of a better word... I can only describe things as bleak.
http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2012/01/japans-nuclear-crisis

Back to Budapest!

2012-02-23T13:55:00.002Z

In November 2011, Kaori Homma returned to Budapest for a solo show at the A38 floating gallery, with support from the Japan Foundation, IPA Foundation

http://cargocollective.com/drhu#/Past-Projects

The event was not only a great personal success for Kaori, it also created another opportunity to raise awareness of the ongoing situation in Japan.

Students from the Hungarian University of Fine Arts enthusiastically sold Meridian Line badges to raise money for the Japanese Red Cross.

Thank you to all who helped!

Fukushima = 168 Hiroshima Bombs

2012-02-23T13:40:00.000Z

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/science/news/20110829-OYT1T01205.htm?from=main5 http://search.independent.co.uk/topic/radiation-fukushima

The Japanese government has very quietly announced that the Fukushima situation is more serious than previously let out, possibly even worse than Chernobyl. I have read a shocking article stating that the caesium 137 released from Fukushima was equivalent to 168 Hiroshima Bombs. And yet the article was small, and matter of fact. Most worringly, I have not heard many reactions to this major news from any friends or family currently living in Japan.

Though the consequences of this information will inevitably, in the long run, be grave, unlike the Hiroshima Bomb, or even the Tsunami of 11th march, the Fukushima nuclear crisis has not been regarded as a news worthy spectacle.

B&A+C Exhibition raising 1000,000yen for Children of Tsunami Disaster

2011-07-11T22:10:00.001+01:00

In June, at Yokohama City Hall, 40 Japanese artists and 13 artists from the UK, US & France participated in a show to support children of the affected area in Tohoku. The Japanese audience and participating artists were all touched by the concern of artists abroad who donated their works. The money raised will be sent to the area through the children’s charity organisation, World Vision.

日本の作家総勢４０人プラス米英からのアーチスト１３人が参加して, 横浜で行われたＢ＆Ａ＋Ｃ展覧会では１００万を超える義援金が集まりました。

義援金は被災地の子供たちに直接届くようにとの思いをこめて、子供をサポート対象の中心とするチャリテイー団体ＷＯＲＬＤ　ＶＩＳＩＯＮを通して送られます。１１月にも、福岡でＢ＆Ａ＋Ｃの第２弾を行う予定です。

Uncertain future

2011-07-04T23:07:00.001+01:00

3 months after the disastar, I have heard from my father about the difficulty facing 100 evacuees from Fukushima, who are now housed in a summer camp facility in Okutama, just west of Tokyo.

Though most families are physically safe and settled in the camp, some of the elderly have passed away as the stress took its toll while being evacuated from their own homes. Also, the future for these families is uncertain due to lack of work.

They have now not only lost their homes, businesses, but also their community, their history and personal memories.

The Okutama summer camp facility is able to accommodate these people, but the question is for how long? Where do they go from here?

I am simply stunned at this situation knowing that it is only one corner of vast problems facing Japan where nearly 200,000 people have been displaced.

Actions taking place in June

2011-06-04T14:04:00.001+01:00

B&A +C

2011年6月20(月)〜26(日)

横浜市民ギャラリー／３階C室 ,Yokohama Citizen's Gallery

〒231-0031　横浜市中区万代町1-1

10- 4pm,（初日 3- 6pm）

キリスト教関係のアーチスト達がイギリス・アメリカそして日本から、東日本被災地への援助のために、

作品を寄付・出品します。

FairCharm Fair

18-19th June 2011, 12- 6pm

Deptford, Creekside, Faircharm, London, SE8 3DX

Kaori Homma is selling editions and cards at this fair. You can also enjoy many other artists and designers showcasing their works. Live Music, Cafe available. Please see map attached.

Brockley Open Studios

2-3rd July 2011, 2-8pm

4th July 2011, 5-8pm

This is a very special event where you are invited to Kaori Homma's studio/ house/ garden, where previously un-seen works will be on display.You can also visit many other open studios/homes in the area, where you will be able to explore leafy Brockley- London's best kept secret.

Drinks and nibbles available.

http://www.ponyhide.com/bos.co.uk/nav.html

アート・オークション・インタビュー（１）

2011-05-17T14:12:00.001+01:00

オークションといえども色々な形があり、色々な思いから立ち上げられる中、６つの同じ質問を決め、オーガナイザーの方々にお聞きしています。今回は、本間さんがご一緒に立ち上げたブダペストでのオークションで、オーガナイザーであり作家でもあるナネット・ヴィッソンさんからお話を聞きました。

アート・アクション(以下AA):どのような経由でアートを通して日本への支援を決意されたのでしょうか？過去にファンドレージングをしたご経験が在れば、その詳細も教えてください。

ナネット・ヴィッソン（以下NV): このサイレント式のオークションを決めたのは、自発的な理由でした。友人であり、一緒にオーガナイズした本間さんのご家族が被災され、その距離を感じ「何かしたい」という気持ちからでした。美術を通して行った理由は、それがわたしたちにとって、道理にかなった方法であり色々な方に理解を得られるからでした。今までは、展示をオーガナイズしたり、助成金を申し込むとの経験は在りましたが、チャリティーを行うという目的でオーガナイズしたのは初めてです。

AA: どのように人に掛け合い、どのくらい時間が掛かったのでしょうか？また、日程はどのように決定したのでしょうか？

NV: 今回は、３名が中心となり、三週間かけました。その中で（本間）かおりさんとわたくしがコアなメンバーで、私はブダペストから、そして彼女がロンドンから作家さんを集め、デービッド・ウィルキンソンは、精神的意味も含めテクニカルなサポートを。もちろん、ハードワークな点は否めませんが、やった甲斐があったと信じています。

*注：今回のオークションが執り行われたのは、戦前首相官邸でもあったBrody　Houseであり、最近はレジデンシー等を受け持ちアートのサポートも行っている。

AA: どのように、ドネーション先を決めましたか？

NV: （日本）赤十字に決定する前に、在ハンガリー日本大使館や国際交流基金と連絡しましたが、目的の被災者の方に支援金がきちんと届くことが理由でした。先にわたくし達に渡そうとした方もいましたが、直接赤十字の方へ送って頂く形にして、受諾の証明をこちらに廻してくださる形で作品を引き取って頂く形を取りました。その形式を取ることで、簡潔に税金に関する問題等を我々がする必要性を省きました。

AA:どのように、人を集めましたか？

NV:オンラインで招待状、Facebook等、もそうですが、個人のメールを作り電話連絡も行いました。

AA:　またこの様なチャリティーを行うとしたら、どのようにしますか？

NV:もう一週間在ればまた違った形で多くの人々に協力を得られたかもしれませんが、即座に動いた勢いがあったので後悔はありません。

AA:　これから同じ様なプロジェクトを立ち上げる方に助言をお願い致します。

NV:ポジティブに協力を得られる方と仕事をし、プロジェクトを完了するまで助言を受けながら進めること。あと、ビッド用紙に作品のイメージを付ける等イベントとして完了するまでの予測をたてること。責任の分配をし、ドネーション先や作品をきちんと扱う最善の形を行えるよう努力すること。感謝の意を伝えることを忘れずに！

後日談：

今回の展示の後、本間さんともお話しした際に、去年ドナウ川で起きた水質汚染の際に日本が助けてくれた。という意識から、東日本大震災の被災者の方のニュースに心を痛めた方も多かったとのこと。目的の支援金を集めるということ以上に、国としての協力を受け、今回は個人でも助けたいという慈悲の気持ちだけでは無く、感謝の気持ちも集めたオークションになったようです。参加作家だけではなく、オークションをオーガナイズするというアクションを起こす意義を再確認した話になり、とても有意義なお話しになりました。

post-interview for the art charity (1)

2011-05-17T12:21:00.005+01:00

Conduced interviews with people who have organised charitable fund-raising events for people in Japan - asking them to share their experience, and to see where their motivation comes from. I hope the Q&A will provide evidence of one way in which art can truly impact social issues, not just through abstract ideas but as an impetus in connecting people, and helping those in need.

Art Action (AA):

Why did you decide to work on fund-raising projects for Japan and why you decide to do it through art? *if you have previous experience in fund-raising through art, please include this experience

Nannette Vinson (NA):

The silent auction event was quite spontaneously decided upon. My friend and co-organizer Kaori Homma’s family were directly affected by the tsunami and earthquake.

We were frustrated being far away and feeling helpless to contribute. Using our art to aid in some way made sense to us and we felt others would feel the same way. I have experience organizing exhibitions and grant writing; this was my first experience fundraising.

AA: Who was involved in the programming and how long did it take to organise? How did you set the date?

NV: It took approximately three weeks and three people to organize. Kaori and I were the primary organizers. I did the majority of the work in Budapest and she organized on the UK side. I also have to mention David Wilkinson who was a great moral and technical support. It was hard work but completely worth the effort.

AA: Why did you decide the donation point?

NV: We asked many sources including the Japan embassy and the Japan Foundation before we decided on the Red Cross. I wanted to be sure the money actually reached the destination. Also, I’d like to mention that we did not accept money up front but got the majority of people to donate directly to the Red Cross and send us their e-receipts. It made it easier (and cleaner) for us and they got a tax write off.

AA: How did you attract people to support the project?

NA: A combination of the usual online invitation, Facebook, etc. but I believe the most important was sending personal emails and making telephone calls to contacts to get individuals there to buy work.

AA: What would you do differently if you could do it again?

NV: Well, having an extra week would have been helpful; we could have possibly connected with a greater number of people who would have attended the event. However, I think the fact we created this event quickly gave it a kind of momentum.

AA: What advice would you give to people working on similar projects?

NV: Stay positive and try to partner with the right organization(s) or people to help get the project finished. Also, think the event through to the end- who is responsible for making sure the donations /art are handled properly and get to the right place. Also, don’t forget to thank all the people involved. Try to rehearse the event to troubleshoot problems. Small details (for us) like bidding sheets with the images of the artwork on the sheet helped in making things go smoother.

Thank you

2011-05-09T17:37:00.000+01:00

On behalf of the Drawing Room we would like to thank everyone for doing their part to support the relief effort in Japan. In Budapest, we raised OVER 800,000 HUF (or about 3000 Euro) to benefit the Red Cross tsunami relief efforts. We were touched by the generosity and kindness of everyone involved. Thank you to Brody House for hosting the event and to Makifood, Guinness House, the Caledonia, Wilkinson Sausage, Gourmet Picnic Company, Hajdu & Menyhei Attorneys at Law, and Taste Hungary and all the artists for their kind donations.

Art makes a difference! YOU made a difference - THANK YOU.

With gratitude and hope,
Kaori Homma and Nannette Vinson

Some more news

2011-04-28T18:52:00.001+01:00

I have heard that my father’s church, just west of Tokyo where there is a Christian retreat/summer camp, has accommodated 70 evacuees including the elderly, children and families from the Fukushima area. The families have settled in well and the children have started new schools in this area, with the help of the collaboration between the church and local government.

I also heard from friends that their local churches are pulling their resources together to transport humanitarian supplies and support to various areas in Tohoku. NPO has been set up through the networks of churches in the area in order to communicate the needs of survivors. They have started to collect supplies and are sorting out logistics, run by volunteers.

My artist friend, Rachel Carvosso, is one of the volunteers setting off today from Tokyo to go to the Iwate area. They are transporting supplies of food/women’s sanitary products/ nappies/clothing etc. And they are also giving a foot bath, massage and hair cut service to the evacuees.

Please check of this site http://hopejapan.info/index.php/ja

Student's effort

2011-04-18T22:53:00.002+01:00

Byam Shaw's Students set up a post card exhibition for Fund Rasing effort during their final show. A real acheivement!
Byam Shawの学生たちが卒展の会期中にはがき大の作品展を自主運営し義援金を集めました。

The auction was a great success!

2011-04-16T12:10:00.002+01:00

We were stunned by the turnout of people at the silent auction, especially on such an unusually cold and rainy evening, in Budapest. As well as the amount raised through the auction, we were touched by the encouraging words from many people. Some artist thanked us for creating this opportunity to help Japan, while others even asked us to do more events like this in order for them to give more! The most poignant words of the evening were given by a Hungarian businessman who said that “Japan has always given so much to world crises including the Hungarian chemical spillage disaster last year, so this is our turn to help.” He then went on to become the highest bidder of the entire auction and also sponsored the reception.

Nannette Vinson and David Wilkinson, the organisers of the auction, who worked around the clock to set up the event at such short notice, also have shown amazing generosity by giving up their rightful commision, as well as time, to give towards this fund raiser.

From the Japan Embassy, secretary general Mr Yasuda visited and expressed the gratitude of the Japanese to the organisers for their effort. Moreover, the director of the Japan Foundation, Ms Iwanaga, not only paid a visit but also showed a very personal kindness by bringing along Japanese rice-ball snacks (onigiri) which were appreciated very much.

The money raised from the auction will now go straight to Red Cross Japan Appeal.

Thank you

あいにく雨模様で例年になく寒かった１４日でしたが、ブダペスト中心地にある、ブロデイー･ハウスでのサイレント･オークションには、本当に驚くほど多くの方々がご来場くださり、大成功となりました。オークションで集められた義援金とともにハンガリーの方々また、現地在住のいろいろな国籍の方々から日本の被災に対して本当に暖かいお言葉を沢山いただきました。協力アーチスト達は、作品を寄付してくれただけでなく、皆声を合わせて、｢こうして、日本への支援をできる機会を作ってくれてありがとう！また、チャンスを作って是非、協力させてください｣と言ってくれました。また、特に印象に残っているのは、ハンガリーの企業家の方が、｢日本は、去年ハンガリーで起こった化学物質流出事件の際も、またこれまで世界で起こったいろいろな危機に対して、非常に沢山の援助を惜しみなくしてきた国です。だから、今度は僕たちが日本の危機に対して、援助をさせていただく番ではないかと思います。｣と話しながら、サイレントオークションの最高額ビダーとして作品を落札し、またレセプションの経費を一手に引き受けてくださった事です。

日本大使館からは安田書記官が出向いてい下さり、また、国際交流基金からもダイレクターの岩永さんが、足を運んでくださっただけでなく夜中まで続いたオークションで大変でしょうと、おにぎりの差し入れまでしてくださって、本当に涙が出るほどでした。国や文化や言葉を超えて、痛みを分かち合う心が人間には与えられているという事を本当に学ばされたイベントでした。

今回の義援金は日本赤十字に直接送られます。

http://www.redcross.org.uk/japantsunami

The silent auction begins

2011-04-14T11:03:00.001+01:00

http://www.bro dyhouse.com/

More than 40 pieces of art works are donated by Hungarian, Japanese and international artists to raise fund for Japanese Tsunami victims. The event is taking place in a beautiful space in Brody House, Budapest.

No Answer

2011-04-10T18:23:00.000+01:00

photo by Reuters

A friend of mine from college has recently written to me from Fukushima. He and his family have just come back from the evacuation centre and seen their devastated village.

He said he had expected the local authority to have started clearing the rubble, after 3 weeks. However, he describes what he encountered was “like an end scene from ‘The Planet of the Apes’”. He continued to say “it is so detached from reality. A place where I once knew as land has now become a lake, smelling of sea water. As far as eyes can see, all manmade objects are broken into a thousand pieces. The only thing one can hear is a sound of distant helicopters.”

The area has not yet been searched for bodies. Mr Koizumi writes “I cannot find any words, as I know that there must have been many people who survived the tsunami. The rescue just didn’t come to them.”

He is grateful that he and his family survived together. However the Koizumi family still have a very uncertain future with the possible contamination of water and food by the radiation. His main concern is for his children’s health. How he can protect his children from this invisible threat is the biggest question, Mr. Koizumi says “there is no answer.”

Invitation to Budapest

2011-04-08T22:02:00.000+01:00

Charitable Art Events in April

2011-04-04T15:01:00.002+01:00

In response to the adversities in Japan, there are many planned charitable art events to support for the recovery in Japan throughout April in Europe.

<Auction>

Fold Gallery in London will host a silent art auction on the 8th of April. Established figures including Edward Allington and Sarah Pickering, and emerging artists in London will contribute their artworks to the auction. All proceeds will go to the British Red Cross for Japan Tsunami Appeal:Japan Relief

On 14th of April, a group of Japanese and British creatives based in London will present a charity auction, Ai (❤) Heart Japan, at Devonshire Square in London. Designers and artists who are active in their fields, such as Yohji Yamamoto and Jamie Reid, will contribute their works to the blind auction. All procceds from the entrance ticket sales, auction and raffles will go directly to the Civic Force, NPO in Japan.

<Raffle>

On 28th of April, UK-based Japanese Artist, Nana Shiomi will donate her artworks as the raffle tickets prizes to fundraise at the P.V. for Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers Annual Exhibition at Bankside Gallery in London. All the donation will go to the smaller NPO in Japan through the Japan Society.

Please find details of each event on the enclosure links.

4月のチャリティー・アート・イベント

東日本大震災の支援金として、4月も引き続き数々のアート・チャリティ・イベントがヨーロッパ各地で行われています。その内容はオークション、ラッフル、ワークショップと様々です。

＜オークション＞

4月８日にはロンドンのFold Galleryにてサイレント・オークションが開催されます。Edward AllingtonやSarah Pickeringと言ったロンドン在住のアーティストが作品を提供し、オークションで得られる収益は直接イギリス赤十字を通じて日本へ送られます。

また、4月14日にはロンドンのDevonshire Squareにて、アート＆ファッションのチャリティ・オークション、‘Ai (❤) Heart Japan’　が開かれます。Yohji YamamotoやJamie Reidに代表される、世界で活躍するデザイナーやアーティストの作品がブラインド・オークションによって販売され、その収益はイベントのチケット代とラッフル・チケット代と共に、気仙沼で活動するCivic Forceに送られます。

＜ラッフル＞

4月２８日に開かれるRoyal Society of Painter-Pirntmakersの定例展示会のオープニング・レセプションでは、在英アーティストの塩見奈々さんの木版画がラッフルの商品として寄付されます。こちらのチケット販売で得られる収益金は、全て支援金として日本の小規模なNPOに送られます。

以上、各イベントの詳細についてエンクロージャー・リンクをご覧下さい。

Video

2011-04-03T22:44:00.003+01:00

produced by http://www.quirkymotion.com/

Please donate to Red Cross

http://www.redcross.org.uk/Donate-Now/Make-a-single-donation/Japan-Tsunami-Appeal

Are things getting better? Well, actually… No.

2011-03-31T23:24:00.002+01:00

I have been touched by the amount of concern expressed by people around me, here in London. But are things getting better in Japan?

As the media has moved on swiftly, from the initial 24/7 coverage in Japan, the general perception is that Japan, as one of the richest and most technologically advanced countries, should be able to deal with the situation with ease.

However, even 3 weeks after the natural disaster, my relatives in Sendai are still struggling to get the most basic of supplies. Meanwhile the crisis at Fukushima nuclear plant seems to be getting worse by the day. The Japanese Government has issued a warning that they are on “maximum alert level” , with the potential of an extension on the exclusion zone. As my aunt’s house is only 40km from the plant if this measure is taken she will fall under this zone and may have to be evacuated, even though the move itself might cause a real risk for her already fragile condition.

The government has now increased the maximum radiation level in foods in order to prevent a shortage in food. They have stated that their original safety level was “too conservative” and have assured people that the new level will not cause any health risks. Nonetheless, anxiety has spread! I believe with this stress, circulating among the Japanese, it is of paramount importance that we show them that they are not alone in their struggle and have sympathy and support, home and abroad.

This is why I am so encouraged to find out that many countries around the world are making a real effort to support Japan.

「このところ、日本のニュースを聞かないけど、もう大丈夫？｣と聞いてくれる人が、周りに沢山います。震災当初は２４時間体制でニュースが流れていましたが、その後あっという間に、中東問題などに話題が移行してしまい、ニュースの第一紙面からは、現在の日本の状況が垣間見られなくなっています。

そのような中で、日本の状況は快方に向かっていると、どんなに言いたいと願っていても、事実そうはいかないもどかしさと憤りを感じています。

仙台の叔母は、物資が少ない中、寒くて眠れなかった避難所から出て自宅に戻ったため、食料の支給もなく困難な生活を強いられ、その解決の兆しがやっと見え始めたところで、今度は福島第一の放射線の漏出で、もしかすると拡大避難地域あるいは、拡大自宅避難地域に入ってしまうかもしれないような不安な状態です。

食物の放射線安全規律の上限を上げるという政府の報道や、東京の水道水の汚染、ますます、不安がつのり大きなストレスの中にいらっしゃる日本の皆さんに、海外において、又、日本国内にあっても、痛みを共に分かち合い、サポートの手を伸べている人たちが沢山いることを、是非知っていただきたいと、思っています。

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/31_22.html

Participating artists出品作品＆アーチスト

2011-03-30T23:01:00.004+01:00

The list of artists, who will be included in the auction in Budapest, is currently being drawn up.

However, we are very happy to share the line up of artists we have chosen so far, which include a mixture of well established artists as well as young, promising artists. Those who will be participating are:

Nana Shiomi, Isao Miura, Ryuta Suzuki, Akiko Fujikawa, Lisa Keiko Kirton, Hikari Yoshizawa, Yoko Iwaya, Soju Tanaka, Kaori Homma, Mayu, and Nobuo Okawa.

http://www.brodyhouse.com/en/about_budapest/57

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Drawing-Room/321253063073

My aunt is still not getting food supply after two weeks!

2011-03-26T16:25:00.001Z

One of the major cities in the Tohoku area, Sendai is a bustling historic city with a major University. Normally the streets are lined with designer shops and restaurants. The first thing you would have seen, arriving in Sendai before the earthquake would have been the food court where you could have sampled hundreds of different local delicacies at the Bullet train station. My aunt’s house is a bus ride from the city centre, not in a remote and inaccessible place to get to.

How then can it be that the world’s “most sophisticated /well trained /stoical” armies of rescue workers cannot help my aunt?

One of the main issues, as I understand is the lack of petrol, which is hampering transportation and also while essential supplies are slowly getting into the area, the distribution system is not geared up for the individual residents who are not in one of these big rescue centres.

I know that my aunt’s situation is only moderately serious compared to others, because of their location and the fact she has family members around her.

But there are others, outside of the media attention, already perishing due to malnutrition and hypothermia linked to the lack of essential supplies, even though they have survived the Quake and Tsunami.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2014529174_quake18.html

iTunes' Songs for Japan

2011-03-26T11:13:00.000Z

Emergency art Relief for Japan - Budapest!

2011-03-25T22:24:00.002Z

Charity Art Auction for Japanese Disaster Relief

日本の震災被災者のためのチャリテイー・アート・オークションを開催します。

Date 14th April, 2011
Venue: Brody House, Brody Sandor Utcha 10,1088, Budapest, Hungary
Organiser: Drawing Room Hungary
Supported by;
Brody House,
IPA Foundation,

The proceeds will go to Japan Red Cross

2011-03-24T18:41:00.000Z

Thank you everyone!

Since this blog has gone out we have received a huge amount of support and offers to help from all over the world!

このブログがあがって以来、世界各国からすごい勢いで支援の申し出が来ています。

また、以下のような有志方々が支援のためのアクションが行われているのが、伝わってきています。

We have been emensely encouraged to see others getting their ACTION on too!

Helping Hand for Japan plan to host a series of events, in Oxford. Graduates from University of Arts London have an event at Creekside, SE London, this friday. (Check out http://sojutanaka.blogspot.com/ for more info) Yesterday, there was a Soup Kitchen, set up by students at Camberwell School of Art, where many young artists paid for soup noodles to raise funding for Japan.

Also, City and Guilds of London Art School will be hosting their

“Art/Unity/Hope: Japan Earthquake/Tsunami Relief Fund”

Thank you all so much for your generosity.

Why Budapest?

2011-03-21T21:31:00.010Z

As an artist who lives and works in London, so far away from Japan, I felt helpless when witnessing the disaster unfolding on the internet/TV. With my own family and relatives directly involved in this catastrophe, I just needed to do something. And yet, faced with the enormity of the tragedy, a question sprang to mind. What could a mere individual artist do? I cannot give a large amount of money nor do I have useful skills to rescue people.

I am due to have a holiday break in Budapest in April. But at the moment, taking a holiday is unthinkable when so many of my people are suffering. I was about to rip up the ticket and throw it in a bin, when I had the idea to exchange my artwork for something to help relief work in Japan.

I have called my friend, Nannete Vinson from Drawing Room Hungary to see if she might be able to help. I cannot believe how immediate and heartfelt the responses have been.

I know our effort is literally a drop in the ocean, just as helpless as the image of a helicopter spraying a bucket full of water on nuclear reactors, which are spiralling out of control. However we have to do something now! I pray that it might at least communicate to the people in Japan that the rest of the world empathises with their pain and that they are not alone.

So Budapest is a very special destination and also a starting point.

なぜ、ブダペスト？

祖国の惨状を,日本から遠いロンドンにあって、ネットやテレビのニュース上で見ながら、何もする事ができず、居てもたってもいられない日々を送っていました。ただ、一概のアーチストに何ができると言う、焦燥感のなかで、もともと仕事もかねて旅行に行く事になっていた、ハンガリーのブダペスト行きのチケットを　こんな事態では旅行どころではないと、ゴミ箱の傍らで処分しよう、と考えていたとき、貧乏アーチストがゆえに、寄付もろくろく出来ぬ立場だけれど、作品だけはあるわけで、それをなんとか有意義な物資や人材に還元できないかと言うアイデアが浮かびました。

市場価値などを度外視したオークションなどと言う非常識･無謀と言われても仕方ない発想でしたが、その旨をブダペスト側に電話すると、ドローイングルームﾊﾝｶﾞﾘｰのナネット･ヴィンソンさんが、まるで、自分の家族が被災したかのように、早速腕まくりをして、何のお金にも名誉にも繋がらないプロジェクトに関わってくださり、あっという間にお膳立てをしてくださいました。

そして、私だけでなく、在英の日本人作家の方々が作品を寄付していただき、ハンガリー在住の作家、そして、キュレーターやギャラリーの方々からの協力を得てのプロジェクトとなっています。日本の皆様に、今の悲惨な状態を日本の人たちとともに悲しみ憤りを覚えながら、なんとかお手伝いしたいと願っている人々が世界には沢山いることを、励ましの資金援助・言葉とともにお送りしたく思っています。

とはいっても、実際、今回の被災の大きさ･過酷さの前には、私たちの努力など、ほとんど無意味な感もあります。でも、しかし、ここで、何かをしなければと考え旅行目的を大幅変更しブダペストに行ってまいります！

Destruction

2011-03-21T21:28:00.003Z

I sat there completely bewildered. The images on the television screen reminded me of something from a disaster movie, like 'The Day After Tomorrow'. I just could not believe what was unfolding before my eyes was reality.

On the 11th March 2011, one of the biggest earthquakes recorded in history hit Japan. Measuring a massive 9.0 on the Richter scale, it shook the whole of the country. The media has highlighted that the Japanese are one of the best organised and prepared countries for earthquakes in the world, meaning a large part of the country had dealt with it very well. However, no country, whatever it's experience with natural disasters, could have foreseen the sheer power and devastation of the tsunami which followed.

Washing away anything in it's path, the tsunami tore through the Northeast coast. It is plain to see the awful effect it had on these areas, and beyond, by looking at the images seen on the news, like the picture and video link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hj58NpanX3g

I admit, before this tragedy I never fully understood what it would be like to be in such horrendous circumstances. I feel we are all, to some extent, desensitised to these kinds of stories having been exposed to them everyday and will never be able to comprehend just how awful they are unless we are personally involved. This time, it was my turn. I immediately feared for my elderly parents in Tokyo, my brother and my relatives living in Sendai. I found myself glued to 3 screens at a time - BBC News on the TV, NHK online and CNN also, frantically trying to piece together the unbelievable events and find any information about my loved ones.

I pray for the survivors of the earthquake, tsunami and for those working on or living near the failing nuclear reactors.

Please donate to the Red Cross