Film Screening: Project Fukushima (90 mins)

with artist filmmaker, Hikaru Fujii, in conversation

ART ACTION UK 2013プログラム決定

We are happy to annouce the Art Action UK 2013 Programme schedule, in which we invite the artist and film director Hikaru Fujii. We will have screenings of his documentary film 'Project Fukushima!', a private view of his latest work 'Landfall' and a talk event between Hikaru Fujii and the Otolith Group. Please join us! We are looking foward to seeing you.

藤井光さんをお招きしたART ACTION UK 2013のプログラムが決定しました。今回は、藤井さんが監督した映画『プロジェクト FUKUSHIMA!』の上映や『Landfall』の展示、そして、dOCUMMENTA(13)で福島をテーマにした「Radiant」を発表したThe Otolith Groupとのディスカッションなど盛りだくさんです。ぜひお越しください。

2013 Art Action UK Respite Residency Artist Announced

レジデンシーアーティスト決定！

2013年度のＡrt Action 主催のＵＫアーチストレジデンシーには

藤井光さんが選抜されました。

Hikaru Fujii has been awarded 2013 Art Action UK Respite Residency, supported by ACG, Morphe and Departure and Departure Limehouse and many other individual supporters.

We have received numbers of strong applications this year, after the success of 2012 UK Respite Residency, which received good media coverage in Japan. So the selection process was not easy.

We are excited, to announce Hikaru Fujii as our artist in residence 2013.

There are plans to have Screening Events/ Art Talks at various venues in UK. Please watch this space!

Fujii is an emerging artist film maker who has been dealing with current complex socio political issues in Japan with a deeply reflective approach. His recent works were shown in Art Tower Mito, "Artists and the Disaster / Documentation in progress" 2012. He has been documenting the landscape in Tohoku area, stricken by Tsunami and Nuclear Fallout disaster in 2011, in his work “Record of Coastal Landscape”

Please see this link for his works. http://hikarufujii.com/

We believe that Fujii’s Residency will not only inform UK audience about the situation in Japan but highlight the difficult relationship between media and democracy.

2012年度に行われたＡrt Action 主催のUＫアーチストレジデンシーは、成功に終わり、日本でも多くのメディアで紹介されました。引き続き募集した2013年度のプログラムには多くの応募をいただきました。今回の選考の課程は簡単ではありませんでした。多くの応募とご支援をありがとうございました。

今回、2013年度のＡrt Action 主催のＵＫアーチストレジデンシーはACG, Morphe and Departureそして多くの個人の支援を得て、藤井光さんが選抜されたことを喜びをもってご報告したいと思います。英国のいくつかの場所で、作品上映／展示、トークイベントを企画していますので、引き続きこのサイトをご覧下さい。

藤井光さんは、今日の日本の複雑な社会政治問題を、きわめて反省的なアプローチによって表現しているアーティスト／映像作家です。最近では、水戸芸術館の「３．１１とアーティスト：進行形の記録」に出品するなど、積極的に展覧会に参加する一方で、大友良英他アーティストが組織した音楽フェスティバル『プロジェクト FUKUSHIMA!』のドキュメンタリー映画などの映画作品を発表しています。東日本震災以降は“Record of Coastal Landscape”という映像作品を通じて、震災と原発事故以降の風景を視覚化、記録するプロジェクトにも取り組んでいます。

藤井光さんのレジデンシーは、英国の人々に日本の状況を伝えるとともに、メディアと民主主義の困難な関係にも焦点をあてることになるでしょう。

2013 Residency application process is now Open

Following our successful 2012 Art Action UK Respite Residency Project,

2013 Residency is now open for applications.

Please see below for detail of application process.

http://artaction-uk-japan.jimdo.com/

Who: Emerging artist working and living in Tohoku,

Kanto area in Japan, age 35 and below.

Where: London, UK, (also touring to York and Margate)

When: April- May (3 weeks)

Kaya Hanasaki published images she has collected during her Respite Residency 2012
on:

Kaya Hanasaki's Protraits with Mask Project

This is ongoing project in which Hanasaki involves audience to experience wearing a protective mask, which in Japan became mundane object to provide protection from Radio Active articles in the air after the Nuclear Fall Out Disaster in Fukushima 2011.

The mask not only functions as a physical protective gear, but also it is increasingly becoming a contentious item, dividing population, depending on the political perspectives. If you trust Government safety guideline, there should be no need to wear it, but if you mis-trust Government Safety standard, you might wear them. This item is becoming an issue to divide communities, as well as families.

The idea of Hanasaki's project is to ask as many people as possible to wear the mask and imagine the current circumstance in Japan where normal citizens have to consider risk factors and pro and cons, in relation to the most basic of human activity- BREATHING.

Fund Raiser for 2013 Respite residency took place in SOHO, London,

on 29th November, 7-9pm, at Cafe Eterno, Neal Street, W1

It was a great evening with lots of support from artists and curators and others, including Meryl Doney, Kaya Hanasaki, Kate Allen, Veronique Chance, Marguerite Horner, Taeko Ishii, East Teas, Tango South London, Richard Allen, Ken McLaughlin, Song Ling, Yumi Otaka, Luciana Ortega, Rachelle Sherwood. Some of artists offered creative skill sets for art raffles, while others took part in sales of items and project works. Also lots of Sushi and Japanese canape were made by artists and enjoyed by others!

We are happy to announce that over 70% of fund is now raised to make 2013 Respite possible.

But we are still accepting donation, so please go to

http://www.everyclick.com/artaction

100% of what you give will go to Artists Residency Project in UK 2013, and benefit selected artist from affected areas who will travel to York and Margate as well as being hosted as an artist in residency at Departure, Limehouse, London. And he/ she will transmit their perspectives on what is happening in Japan since 3.11 Tsunami and Nuclear Fall out Disaster from within as a young emerging artists.

Event in Tokyo

As a Result of UK Respite residency, Kaya Hanasaki is exhibiting in Tokyo.

The Event on 4th October will live link with UK and Japan

to dicuss the effect of this grassroots exchange.

http://12gouten.shirouto.org/schedule/art-action-in-uk/

Case 1 Artist talk with Endo Ichiro

Art Action is invited to take part in the Event below

at The Japan Foundation London

Please book your place to avoid disappointment.

25th September, Tuesday, 2012 from 6:30pm

Japan Foundation

10-12 Russell Sq. London

WC1B 5EH

Post 3.11 is a series of talks with individuals who through art have in various ways been involved in supporting the victims of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in the Tohoku region of Japan. Showcasing their activities, this talk series aims to examine how the role of the artist and art activities can be vital in such unprecedented situations, in spreading awareness and helping restore confidence among those affected, fundamentally questioning whether art has to have a practical social function.

For the first session, The Japan Foundation has invited Ichiro Endo, a painter, performer and self-proclaimed ‘future artist’ famous for his artworks and activities, conveying a strong sense ‘future’ through his eccentric artworks and activities which have been exhibited at venues including Art Tower Mito, BACC Bangkok and the Beppu Contemporary Art Festival. Turning his attention to organising projects in the disaster-stricken Tohoku region, Endo’s activities include travelling around in his graffiti covered bus called Mirai-e-go! (“Go for future”) as a means of spreading Endo’s characteristic message to people.

Through Endo’s presentation, he will briefly introduce his work and activities before and after the incident in Tohoku, demonstrating how he was prompted to act in such a way in response to the disaster. Evaluating his involvement in Tohoku, Endo will be joined for a further discussion by Kaori Homma, UK based Japanese artist and Keith Whittle, curator and Japan Foundation Fellow, to explore the artist’s role including whether these activities have helped build new relationships between the artist and society. Kaori Homma, through her Art Action programme, commissioned a residency in the UK for an artist from Tohoku. Keith Whittle is undertaking research into projects working with individuals and communities in Japan, many of which are working with devastated areas and beyond, organising art events directly with, or for those affected.

	This event is free to attend but booking is essential. To reserve a place, please email your name and the title of the event you would like to attend to event@jpf.org.uk

	Ichiro Endo is supported by the Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture, Tokyo Wonder Site
	The Japan Foundation, London – 10-12 Russell Square, London, WC1B 5EH www.jpf.org.uk

Art Action UK Residency Success!

Thank you for your support!

Art Action's UK Respite Residency Project 2012 has been completed with amazing results.

Artist Kaya Hanasaki's stay in UK culminated in

Performance Events at Deptford X and Greenbelt Festival which are also linked to Project Fukushima! also featured Misaoredwolf, main spokes person for Japan's Anti Nuclear Movement.

Please see links: http://www.greenbelt.org.uk/contributors/respite/

http://www.pj-fukushima.jp/festival/flag_list.php
http://nonukesmorehearts.org/

Emotionally charged Hanasaki's performance

Thunderstorm and Powercut did not affect Hanasaki's delivery

Hanasaki's performances and the discussion were also live linked to Project Fukushima!

One of the most touching moment was when an audience asked

"what we might be able to do for people in Fukushima?"

The answer from a Fukushima local artist

and organiser of Project Fukushima! Mr. Otomo was

"Just be a friend, and please don't forget us."

Responding to the above request and recognising the current context of Fukushima where residents feel isolated, and forgotten,

Hanasaki has collected more than 120 signitures and words of encouragement on a Banner which is going back to Fukushima.

She also collected over 100 portraits of people wearing protective masks which will be made into an installation art in Japan on her return.

We will be continuing our effort to bring more artists from affected areas.

So, if you would like to take part in direct action to rbing about a change, you can contribute online at;

http://www.everyclick.com/artaction

Project Fukushima!

Kaya Hanasaki, selected artist for Art Action UK Respite Residency 2012, is holding a performance event on 12th August 2012 which is now accepted officially linked to Project Fukushima! as a satellite event.
We are hoping to have live link discussion and performance and drinks reception and art sale for fund raising.

http://www.pj-fukushima.jp/en/

This performance also marks the ending of Deptford X 2012.

http://www.deptfordx.webeden.co.uk/#/welcome/4552417510

2012 ART ACTION UK respite residency artist announced

２０１２年度のＡrt Action　主催のＵＫアーチストレジデンシーには

花崎草さんが入賞しました。
Kaya, Hanasaki has been awarded 2012 ARt Action. Respite Residency in UK, supported by ACG

パフォーマンス及びインスタレーションを作家活動の中心として、３．１１以降反原発運動など社会活動にもアートを通して関わってきている若手作家。日本の震災後の現状をロンドン及びグリーンベルトにおいて英国現地のアーチスト・観客との関わりの中にて、どのような形で発信し、相互理解の可能性を広げていけるかが期待されます。

Hanasaki was born in Japan,1987. MA Tokyo National Univ. of Fine Arts and Music. Hanasaki’s art practice is both performative and installational. She deals with difficult socio political issues without compromise. Hanasaki has been active in raising questions about the issues of the Nuclear Disaster in Tohoku, coordinating Symposium “10months after 3.11”. We are hoping Hanasaki might be able to inform UK audience about this difficult issue through young Japanese artist perspectives while she is in UK having short respite from ongoing problems in Japan.

　http://www.tokyoartbeat.com/tablog/entries.en/2012/01/class-of-post-3-11.html

Art Action Residency Project 2012 nominations

Art Action Residency Project is now going through selction process for the 2012 Residency Project.
So far finalist nominees are selected and the most difficult selection process to narrow down to two final recepients will be taking place this week.
Thank you for the artists who has applied for this project who demonstrtated great enthusiasm and maintained high standard of applications.
Thank you also for all the supporters of this project!

Please watch this space!
The two finalist will be announced by 28th May.

ARTS CENTER GROUP (ACG) UK RESIDENCY PROGRAMME 2012年夏 ACG英国アートレジデンシープログラム

2012年夏アートレジデンシープログラム（英国）公募開始！

東日本大震災支援プロジェクト(Art Action: Support for Japan)

東北・関東在住・日本人アーティストのための英国アーティスト・レジデンシー

このレジデンシーは、東北および関東地方出身・あるいは在住している若手アーチストが、福島原発の放射能被曝の不安や東日本震災のストレスから短期間脱出し、心身ともに回復する機会を提供するとともに、英国のアトリエ・スペースにて、作品制作や制作に向けてのリサーチを行い、アーチストの視点から震災の経験や自分のアートへの理念を、受け入れ先の地域の人々と分かち合う事を通じ、国際交流をはかることを目的としています。
期間:　8月上旬ー8月末

受け入れ団体:ACG (アーツセンターグループ ) www.artscentregroup.org

場所:イギリス・ロンドン及びチェルトナム
締切り:　2012年5月3日（木）　（必着）

送付先：artaction2012@gmail.com（メールのみの受付）

応募方法の詳細は以下のＨＰ　をご参照ください。
http://artaction2012.jimdo.com/

Thank you

Thank you for all your support

for 21st March Silent Auction in London!

Yes!! we are going to make it!
Thank you for your support, and now we are in a position to say we will be able to go ahead with our plan with ACG UK residency Programme for Japanese artists from the affected area.

http://artaction2012.jimdo.com/

Time to go

On 25^th March, Fukushima Daiichi Baptist Church had a final joint service with Okutama Church before they have vacated camp on 26^th March.

It was emotional service.

People of Fukushima Daiichi Baptist decided that they are going to rebuild a chapel and old people’s care home in Iwaki City, Fukushima just outside of 20km exclusion zone.

It is not quite home as their homes lie empty within the exclusion zone.

The entrance of the new church faces the direction of their original church, which are only 2km from exploded Fukushima Daiichi plants and they are not allowed to go back. The form of the new church resembles the outstretched wings of an eagle as Isaiah 40:31, for their next journey ahead.

Mainly old people are going back there. And other people with younger families are dispersing to different part of Japan some as far as Okinawa.