Aozora Art: Blue Sky Art 30th Anniversary!（Peek-a-boo Art project）

 　

2024 is the 30th anniversary of Aozora Art(Blue Sky Art/ Peek-a-boo Art project）, which started in August 1994.

Is this really art? I started this interactive art project with the participation of passersby, although I was wondering if it was art or not.

It is an art project that asks not art fans but “passers-by” questions such as what family is, what marriage is, and what gender is. The name “social practice” is now attached to this genre of art project.

If you were something/someone other than yourself, how would you feel and how would things be different from the way you are now? It is a basic concept form that invites people to imagine this.

This year, in celebration of its 30th anniversary, I will hold “Who is Miura? part 2”. “Who is Miura?” is a legendary work that Miura fans went crazy for at the Aomori Museum of Art in 2000.

I will be able to tell you more soon♪

Photo: August 28, 1994

This is the Harajuku pedestrian street, Aozora Art(Blue Sky Art/ Peek-a-boo Art project）, for the second time, maybe.

I remember we held the first season of the art project at Omotesando side of Harajuku.

The artist asked passersby to “Create your ideal family, and get a commemorative photo!” Participants choosed their favorite family members on a family sheet, and a “Peek-a-boo board” to match each family member. Then, we took their family photo with an instant film camera. The participant was asked to sign the photo as a family member on the spot. One photo is given away and one was kept to us for preservation.

This “family menber” was almost a replica of the actual composition of grandparents, parents, and sisters. And they actually took a picture of them with their faces out of that roll's Peek-a-boo boards.

 

 

Here are some photos of the Aozora Art(Blue Sky Art/ Peek-a-boo Art project）series, mainly since I came to NYC. Please take a look, thank you!

https://www.nyfa.org/fiscal-sponsorship/project-directory/view-project/?id=RT1194

 

You can download a pamphlet about Aozora Art(Blue Sky Art/ Peek-a-boo Art project） here, so please take a look.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/w3j2c39wrpcahqjeswsuk/RICA_Takashima3.6.pdf?rlkey=a4e3ahtvb4ek5av2angepa43j&st=0z9uajp5&dl=0

1994年の8月に始めたあおぞらアートの３０周年になりました。

これってはたしてアートなのか？と自分でもわからず始めた通行人参加型のインタラクティブアート。

家族とは何か、婚姻とは何か、性別とは何か、などをアートファンではなく「通りすがりの人」に問いかけるアート。今ではソーシャルプラクティスという名前もこのジャンルのアートについた。

自分が自分以外の何者かになったら、どう感じたりどんなふうに今とは違うことがあるのか。それを想像してもらうアートです。

今年は３０周年記念に青森県立美術館での名作「みうらさん？」（2000）の第二弾ができそうです♪近々お伝えできると思います。

 

1994年８月２８日

この家族写真は原宿歩行者天国　あおぞらアート、2回目かな？？

この日も晴れ。最初は表参道でやっていたっけなあ。

アーティストは「あなたにとって理想の家族を作ってみよう」と通行人に問いかける。参加者は、家族シートに好きな家族構成とそれぞれの家族メンバーに合わせた顔出しくんを選ぶ。そして家族写真を撮る。インスタントカメラで撮ってその場で参加者には家族としての証明サインをしてもらう。一枚は差し上げて、一枚はこちらで保存用にした。

この「家族」は、ほぼ実際の祖父母、両親、姉妹の構成をなぞらえていた。そして実際にそのロールの顔出しくんから顔を出して撮影した。

↓ここに主にNYCに来てからの顔出しくんプロジェクトの写真があります。みてね。

https://www.nyfa.org/fiscal-sponsorship/project-directory/view-project/?id=RT1194

 

↓ここにあおぞらアートについてのパンフレットがダウンロードできるのでぜひ観て下さいね。

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/w3j2c39wrpcahqjeswsuk/RICA_Takashima3.6.pdf?rlkey=a4e3ahtvb4ek5av2angepa43j&st=0z9uajp5&dl=0

Rica's Original mini Calender 2019!

Thank you very much for supporting Aliens in New York, Peekaboo-art project in 2018!

I couldn’t draw any funds to Aliens in New York for fiscal year 2018, so there was only one time event in New York Botanical Garden in May with payment from NYBG.

Besides, I started two new projects, One Stop Family Pop Up and StopGap Ramp Project NYC.

One of reasons I started Aliens in NY was I believe empathy is very important to us.

We should emphasize with other people who is in difficulty but trying to make better world.

The themes for the project were LGBTQ, diversity, and pregnant women, etc.

One of my challenges was how toencourage people to take daily action after interacting with the project.

I was seeking new ways to develop the project. 

Last year, I collaborated with other organization UP-Stand, which installs practical accommodations for mothers and families. I felt I could learn a lot of new methods to develop the art project there.

I decided to carry the two new projects rather than the art project for a while.

I believe these all experiences will help me further develop my art project.

Please take a look at the latest blog.

https://1stopfamily.blogspot.com

https://therampprojectnyc.blogspot.com

I have saved all donations to Aliens in NY in NYFA account to next 19/20 years.

Each event costs $500-5,500/site depending on size. It is impossible to happen without your support. 

 Please help the art project by tax-deductible donation and get an original mini calendar!

This mini calendar is a perfect card/gift for holiday season.

It can be sent as a holiday card and they can be used as a calendar.

The three drawings are by Rica Takashima.

 Since they are small, they can use it in the office, locker, or on a fridge.

(10 x 6.5 inch)

There are two blank pages to write messages to your receiver.

 These are Hanafuda (Flower card). Boar, Deer, and Butterfly. This combination is one of strongest pat hands.

I was inspired by Hanahuda for the cover of my 2019 calendar. I hope it will bring a lot of blessedness to you.

This is a perfect item to start the Year of the Boar with.

One card for $15, and three cards for $35.

(Please see grid below: Your tax-deductible cost will be $6/one $16/three after deducting the transaction, postal expenses, and basic cost) You will get one extra card from Rica as a thank you card, so you can use it for yourself!

Please visit the NYFA page to donate for Aliens in New York art project.

Aliens in New York page at New York Foundation for the Arts

Please put “Holiday” at Note section.
This special opportunity lasts until end of December.

All donors will receive my original Manga report 2017-18

(I am terribly sorry, I knew I couldn’t finish it this year. It was stocked in pencil sketch. I will do it this year- my new year resolution?)

Your kindness donation will be used to events like transportation, material cost for art workshop, etc. Our project is a space where strangers from different backgrounds can meet, understand and create art together. Through interactive arts, participants experience face-to-face personal contact, rather than communicating through Internet social networking services in virtual worlds. This tangible human interaction is needed in our society.

Thank you very much,

Rica Takashima

Get Rica's original mini calender 2018!

Thank you very much for supporting Aliens in New York, Peekaboo-art project.

With last year’s donation, we held projects themed pregnant women and families, and cultural understanding to public. We held art show five times and workshops four times, made opportunities for four immigrant artists to show their artworks to public, and there were 1500＋participants who enjoyed our interactive art. I, Rica started the art project and carried it by volunteer base; actually it costs $500-5,500/each depending on size. It was impossible to happen without your support. The project is still in deficit balance.

Please help the art project by tax-deductible donation and get an original mini calendar!

This mini calendar is a perfect card/gift for holiday season.

It can be sent as a holiday card and they can be used it as a calendar.

The three drawings are by Rica Takashima.

Since they are small, they can use it in the office, locker, or on a fridge.

(10 x 6.5 inch)

There are two blank pages to write messages to your receiver.

This is a perfect item to start the Year of the Dog with.

One card for $12, and three cards for $33.

(Please see a grid below: Your tax-deductible cost will be $7/one $16/three after deducting the transaction, postal expenses, and basic cost) You will get one extra card from Rica as a thank you card, so you can use it for yourself.

Please visit the NYFA page to donate for Aliens in New York art project.

Aliens in New York page at New York Foundation for the Arts

Please put “Holiday” at Note section.
This special opportunity lasts until end of December.

All donors will receive my original Manga report 2017.

Your kindness donation will be used to events like transportation, material cost for art workshop, etc. Our project is a space where strangers from different backgrounds can meet, understand and create art together. Through interactive arts, participants experience face-to-face personal contact, rather than communicating through Internet social networking services in virtual worlds. This tangible human interaction is needed in our society.

The theme for the next year will be “diversity and cultural heritage” to reduce discrimination.

Thank you very much,

Rica Takashima

http://aliensnewyork.wixsite.com/mysite/blog

  

戌年ミニカレンダー2018

いつもAliens in New Yorkのアートプロジェクトを応援してくださってどうもありがとうございます。

皆さんが寄付してくださったおかげで、２０１7年も妊婦さんや家族をサポートするワークショップや、環境問題についてのイベントや、美しい日本の文化を紹介するイベント等をお届けする事が出来、1500人以上の方が参加しました。特に今年は６人の移民アーティストに作品発表やワークショップの場を提供することも出来、移民が問題視される中、インターネットのネットワークではなく顔と顔を合わせてプジティブな交流をする機会の提供ができたと考えています。
ここをご覧下さい。
http://aliensnewyork.wixsite.com/mysite/blog

どうかこの活動を来年も持続出来るように、今年も寄付をお願いします！
寄付は税金控除になります。(米国のみ）

寄付してくださった方には高嶋リカオリジナル手作りのミニカレンダーをもれなく差し上げます。ホリデーカードになっているので今の時期にピッタリです。
届いたカードがそのままカレンダーとして一年使えるので、ちょっと気が利いたスモールギフトになります。

オフィスやロッカー、冷蔵庫などにピッタリのミニサイズ。（25 x 16cm） 表紙は干支の戌です。

カードの中はブランクですので、あなたのメッセージが自由に書き込めます。

１２ドルの寄付で１枚。３３ドルで3枚です。
（高嶋リカから１枚あなたに御礼として届けますから、プラス１枚届くことになります。控除額は材料費と郵送料を差し引いたあと$7一枚/$11二枚になります。表を参照ください。）

ここのNYFA(NY州芸術財団)のページからAliens in New Yorkのアートプロジェクトを応援してください！どうかお願いします！メモ欄に”Holiday”とお書きください。
Aliens in New York page at New York Foundation for the Arts

来年は、日本文化の漫画のWSに力を入れること。
またトランプ後には、プロジェクトの目的である、地域のダイバシティの紹介と相互理解がよりわたしたちの社会に必要だと考えています。

どうかご協力のほどお願い致します！お待ちしています！
高嶋リカ拝