Here is Shary Brown's (former Ann Arbor Street Art Fair director) report from Yokohama:
The Yokohama International Open-Air Art Fair opened yesterday, October 30, in Yamashita Park, along the waterfront in the center of Yokohama, with artists from the U.S. and Japan, many volunteer interpreters, and a Halloween-themed kids art area. Most of the twelve U.S. artists were selected from the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, which was the inspiration for this first-time event. They were joined by artists from Japan who were showing their work directly to the public for the first time ever in Japan. They ranged from very famous and noted Japanese artist Kuri Joji, 81, to several just out of the university, showing paintings, ceramics, works on paper and intriguing paper hats. The art fair was held on Halloween and the Americans enjoyed seeing the Japanese celebrating the holiday with masks and costumes. Me, I'm confused. Japanese celebrate Halloween? Read the rest of the article here:
www.AnnArbor.com P.S. FYI - I spoke with Karen Delhey, sponsorship director of the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, today. Many of us are curious about Shary Brown's successor and Karen told me the board was still interviewing candidates and hadn't made a choice yet.
I think it is pretty much a Western artifact. However, when I think of the huge Japanese contribution especially in printmaking and pottery, we do know our artists have definitely been looking at them!
I'm really surprised they've never had art fairs in Japan. They have a ton of cultural festivals throughout the year that you'd think they would've had artists sell at them too. lol.
But I think this is SO cool! I want to go! I started drawing & painting after I got into Japanese animation because I was so inspired and have been dying to go to Japan ever since.
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But I think this is SO cool! I want to go! I started drawing & painting after I got into Japanese animation because I was so inspired and have been dying to go to Japan ever since.