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

Group exhibition by Tokyo University of the Arts NY Alumni Association

 I will participate in a group exhibition organized by Tokyo University of the Arts NY Alumni Association on September.

The gallery is a very convenient 5-minute walk from Grand Central Station.

Please come and visit us all. I am looking forward to seeing you. I will show the Peek-a-Boo Sculptures.

Please let me know in advance if you send me a DM and I will try to be there.

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漸 -zén-
TOKYO GEIDAI JAPAN ART WEEK

September 8th, Friday -16th Saturday

 12 PM to 7:30 PM

Except for Friday, 9/8 (open at 6PM) and Monday 9/11 (closed at 5:30 PM)

The Blue Gallery

222 East 46th street, NY

5min walk from Grand Central station.

Free admission. Some events are required reservations and fees.

There are Sado tea party, Silver leaf workshop, Jazz concert, Song and piano concert, and Panel discussion.

For more informations, please visit the website.

こんにちは。

東京芸術大学NY同窓会が主催するグループ展に参加します。グランドセントラル駅から徒歩５分のギャラリーです。

期間中はコンサートなど音楽科の方々によるイベントなどもありますので、この機会にぜひお立ち寄り、藝大のエッセンスを感じていただければ幸いです。今回は日本からデザイン科、工芸科、日本画科の先生方や学生さんらをお迎えしての合同展になりますので、NYCで芸大を楽しめる滅多にない機会になります。

私はいつもの顔出しクンを出品予定です。

漸 -zén-

TOKYO GEIDAI JAPAN ART WEEK

9月8日（金）から16日（土）

１２時ー７時半　（注：8日は６時から。11日は５時半まで）

ブルーギャラリー　入場無料

The Blue Gallery

222 East 46th street, NY

会期中の主な一般公開イベント

9 月 8 日(金)：  オープニングレセプション  午後 6 時開館

午後 7 時から Duo 夢乃によるミニコンサートあり（入場無料）

9 月 9 日(土)：  鋳物作家 佐治真理子氏の茶道具で楽しむお茶会

参加料：＄３０

9 月 10 日(日)： 「Harvest Moon Melodies」 アートソングコンサート

中秋の名月にちなみ「秋と月」をテーマとした歌曲コンサート 

ソプラノ：中川 直子  ピアノ：市川 純子  ナビゲーター：金澤 恵之 

入場料：一般＄30,  家族チケット：＄50 (子ども入場無料)

9 月 11日(月)： 東京藝大教授 谷岡靖則氏 来米記念

パネルディスカッション ＋ Q&Aセッション

会場：日系人会ホール (49 West 45th Street, 5th Floor, NYC) 

時間：午後 7 時から（講演後レセプションあり）

入場料：＄30 

9 月 15 、 16 日：東京藝大日本画科 齋藤典彦氏による日本画ワークショップ

参加費：２日　＄２５０

　　　　1日　＄１５０

9月16日：ICHIDO 酒＆ジャズコンサート

時間：午後 6時

入場料：＄３０

詳しくは同窓会のウェブサイトへ！

Peekaboo-kun Interactive Sculptures Show at The New York Botanical Garden

Hi!I installed six Peekaboo-kun Sculptures for Mothers’ day weekend, Sat. 12th and Sun. 13th May.
I was asked to create a new Tulip Peekaboo-kun. It was first time to me to make three holes on the same painting, and it was very fun!
One other thing for my first challenge was light weights small sized inclusive Peekaboo-kun.It allows having fun for wheelchair users, people who has difficulty to stick their faces to regular Peekaboo-kun. These Sculptures were planed to be displayed beside The Conservatory, however because of spring rain, they were set under a roof of Leon Levy Visitor Center. I was very happy almost visitors enjoyed the art show. Especially there were many elderly moms sitting on wheel chairs also enjoyed the inclusive art with their families.

Aliens in New York, art project

Thanks for visiting my blog!

The website of Aliens in New York is here.

To read the past posts of the art project, please use the search box on the top of the page 

and put “Aliens in New York”

The bst way to know more details, please visit here, the interview by NYFA Current August 2015.

I also have FLOW15. blog here. please enjoy!

Thanks,

Rica Takashima

takasimarica at hotmail dot com

Kiku: The Art of Japanese Gerden 2016

Hi!

I am excied to tell you I will be part in
 Kiku Matsuri  at New York Botanical Garden on October 15, 16.
This is Mum flower festival.
You can explore Japanese Culture like, Taiko drumming, Haiku poem, etc,
and ofcourse Peekaboo-sculptures!

This is a brand new Kiku Peekaboo-sculpture.
I created this special one for NYBG.

Beside this, Bonsai, Kokeshi, Yukata, Oiran, Hatobue, Hakata, and Hakama Peekaboo-sculptures will be there.
Enjoy autumn day with seeing maple tree, mum exhibition and Japanese Culture at New York Botanical garden.
I will be there all day long at the garden.
Please say Hi when you swing by.
Looking forward to seeing you!

Please choose “Aliens in New York” art project for #GivingTuesday !

Hello. 

Please choose “Aliens in New York” art project for #GivingTuesday with a tax-deductible donation!

I am working on writing Manga report of my art project “Aliens in New York” 2015.

The Manga story will be continued from last year and 18-25 colored pages. I will distribute the pdf Manga to people who made $3＋donation during 2015 calendar year. It is a rare chance to read Rica's story Manga, who has continued a strip panel comic at Weekly Japion Paper for 12 years!

The last year's fun Manga report is here.

http://www.aozoraart.com/pdf/AliensNY_report2014.pdf

The art project is supported by NYFA, New York Foundation for the Arts, thus your donation is tax deductible.  (Only in the USA, sorry)  All contribution will be used to the art project. For instance, I accomplished this year’s challenge with creating four special pedestals, which was my first step to develop my art project into a universally inclusive design. Now, it is possible for small children and wheelchair bound people to use the sculptures easily and safely without any assistance from the museum’s staff. Your warm support made this possible.

Please make a donation on the link of NYFA below. You'll see an orange button to a donation page.

http://goo.gl/XX2wpZ

Plus, if you make a $20＋donation, you will get one DIY paper sculptures kit by mail. This is a 1/20 model of actual woman sculpture of El Barrio Comes in All Colors, Shapes and Sizes, that I created for Flow15 outdoor art project at Randall’s Island, New York. Each kit has my sign and serial number. You’ll love this! The actual sculpture was mentioned as Best Public Art 2015 summer in NYC at many websites.

“Aliens in New York” project is an audience participatory public art which I started the art style in Harajuku Tokyo since 1994. I have poured my art life to the project. The aim is to provide art experience to community, being and imagine transforming to other people using Peekaboo-board art devices, promoting mutual understandings among different ethnicities, religions, races, genders, and other social standings, and making better life, place and future.

119 people participated to four time workshops, and more than 5000 people enjoyed the Aliens in New York art project, and 10 volunteer staff worked with me in 2015. Please give me more opportunity to distribute the art project to many people with your support.

Let's make better future with Arts!

Rica Takashima

Queers, Comics, and Aliens!

Hi, Aliens in New York art show will be holed thi scoming Thursday and Frinday,
at Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies (CLAGS)
The Graduate Center, CUNY
365 Fifth Avenue, NYC
I will be there on Thursday 11am-9pm
Friday 11am-4pm

If you are NYC area, please drop by and have some tea with me?
I will bring four Peekaboo-kuns. 
Try to being Queer Aliens!

http://www.clags.org/queers-comics/

I will be a panel member in two panels:

・LGBT Comic for Young Readers
May 7, 11:45-1:15

・This is What I Look Like: Createing Queer Characters of Color
May 8, 11:00-12:45

Celebrate Women and Join the V-Day!

Hi, I am going to be part of the V-Day event this weekend.

I can't believe me, I am working on a new art piece in this last minute.

And during drying paints, I just made a flyer for the event below.

More details of the V-Day event, please see the link.
There will be a lot of event.
http://www.4thu.org/v-day-2014/

I am not sure what time I will be sitting there while the show.
I am sure I will be there around 1pm for install on Friday.
Text me if you can make come.

Over the last 15 years, V-Day,  the global movement dedicated to ending violence against women and girls, has moved into 140 countries and raised over $100 million, educating millions about the issue of violence against women and the efforts to end it, as well as crafting international educational, media and PSA campaigns, helping to revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations.

A Pair of Bonsai Peekaboo-kun is for Sale at the New York Foundation for the Arts.

A Pair of Bonsai Peekaboo-kun is for Sale at the New York Foundation for the Arts!

This precious art pieces are filled with Swarovski Crystal Beads.

The base material is made with aluminum-reinforced plastic sheet.

Size: Left: 2'2" x 2'5" (66 x 74 cm)
Right: 2'2" x 1'9" (66 x 53 cm)

I was making a lot of Peekaboo-Kuns for 20 years and this is the first piece that I'm selling.

A part of the sale goes to support NY based artists!

Please ask the details for New York Foundation for the Arts.

curatorial@nyfa.org

https://www.nyfa.org/Content/Show/Curatorial%20Services

「盆栽顔出しクン」をニューヨーク芸術財団にて販売しています。

売上げの一部はNY州のアーティストのサポートになります。。

創り始めて20年目にして初めて顔出しクンを販売する事になりました。

アルミー強化プラスチック複合板にスワロフスキーのクリスタルガラスのビーズでデコレーションしています。

左: 2'2" x 2'5" (66 x 74 cm)
右: 2'2" x 1'9" (66 x 53 cm)

あなたの応援をお待ちしています。どうかよろしくお願いします。

問い合わせはNY芸術財団学芸員まで。

curatorial@nyfa.org