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Momoko and Tetsuya Otani 

  Visiting artists from Shigaraki,Japan

 July 23 - August 7

   

Artists for Japan/JamFest

Saturday, July 16, 12-8:30pm 

 

KOBO Gallery at Higo

Japantown/International District

 

604 South Jackson Street

Seattle, Washington 98104

(206) 381-3000

 

 

    

Momoko Otani

Tetsuya Otani 

July 23 - August 7   

Opening reception: Saturday July 9th, 5-7pm

Ootani1 

 

Tetsuya and Momoko Otani are ceramic artists.  They are also husband and wife who work from their studio in Shigaraki, Japan, creating work independently and also collaboratively. They have participated in the Simple Cup Show for several years and now prepare for their first solo showing of their work in the United States.

   

MomokoOotani

  

"I love daily kitchen life: cooking, eating, enjoying something to drink and everything else that goes on.  I think most of my work has been born out of my kitchen time.  I always imagine that the sizes will fit some specific food or drink, and think about the way a vessel works.  Nice functional pieces make our daily life rich and fun.

 

Some people who own my work tell me that it has a warmth and depth that they enjoy holding in their hands.

 

It's my hope that my work will add some extra flavors to the lives of those who use my pieces."

 

Momoko Otani, 2011 

 

 

TetsuyaOotani

   

 "My first thought in the design process is that they be functional. I like my work to be easy to wash, easy to store, and to look nice on the table.  In creating work, I imagine how it will look when food is served on them, in what kind of situation or occasion it will be used for (individual servings, for the family meal, parties, ) and design shapes and sizes that fit in with how we live our lives.


My work may at first glance give the impression that they are inorganic, cold or austere, but as you look closely and handle them, you can feel the soft lines and warm touch of the glaze and form that can only be created by hand.


The simple, beautiful and functional,  possess real beauty we never get tired of looking at. This is what I try to make with my hands."


Tetsuya Otani, 2011  

 

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Other related events 

 

Momoko and Tetsuya Otani

Ceramicists from Shigaraki, Japan

 

Workshops:  JULY 21, 22 and 23, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Lecture: Thursday, JULY 21, 5:00 PM

University of Washington 3D4M Studio at the Ceramics and Metal Arts Building

See map here 

 

Workshops and lecture are open to the public and free. The lecture will touch on the modern ceramic industry and artisan studios in Shigaraki (Shiga), one of Japan's "six ancient kilns," and explores the work of Momoko and Tetsuya Otani, a couple who make their living entirely from exhibiting and selling functional ceramics.

 

Sponsored by the UW Japanese Art History and UW Japan Studies Program, and 3D4M: ceramics/glass/sculpture

 

For more information: contact Jamie Walker, Associate Director University of Washington School of Art:  jwalk@uw.edu 

 

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Closing reception and gallery talk  

with Momoko and Tetsuya Otani  

at KOBO Gallery

Sunday, August 7, 4pm

Save the dates! 

 

 

Artists for Japan 

Saturday July 16th 12 - 8:30pm  

AFJ-Himawari  

Did you know that Himawari/Sunflowers have the ability to absorb radioactive elements and neutralize their effects?  AFJ will be distributing sunflower seeds to promote the idea of healing the  land affected by nuclear plants and to open up dialogue about using cleaner energy such as biodiesel that could be converted from sunflower seeds.  

 

Please come by to pick up seeds at KOBO, on Saturday the 16th, and enjoy sowing, growing, seeing them flower.  You can help us harvest the seeds that we can send to Japan and other areas that have been contaminated by nuclear power plants.   

 

Artists For Japan next fundraising event will  benefit an organization installing solar power systems in Tohoku.  http://tsunagari-nukumori.jp/  

 

This Project is supported by Artists for Japan, Artists for Japan, Allied Arts Foundation, and Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience.

http://artistsforjapan.blogspot.com/ 

Mary Win

    Acoustic pop     

JamFest @ KOBO at Higo  

Saturday, July 16th, 6:30 - 8:30pm 

MaryWin

JamFest in the ID    

 More about Mary Win 

     

KOBO Gallery at Higo
Upcoming events and current exhibits

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July 9 - July 30

Etsuko Ichikawa

"Tale of a Family"

Etsuko  is joined by her mother and father in a special family exhibition featuring ceramics and handmade crafts using Japanese textiles.  Exhibit preview here. 

Just released, a short film featuring Etsuko creating her Pyrograph drawings.  

 View it here! 

 

July 16, Saturday
6:30 - 8:30pm
Mary Win
Lush haunting acoustic pop
JamFest @ KOBO at Higo
Mary Win on YouTube 

Wing Luke Museum sponsors JamFest 

 

July 16, Saturday, 12-8:30pm

Artists For Japan, Summer Series 2

Artists For Japan will host a fundraising event benefiting an organization installing solar power systems in Tohoku.  http://tsunagari-nukumori.jp/ 

 This will be coordinated with the launching of Etsuko Ichikawa's Himawari (Sunflower) project.  This next AFJ event will focus on environmental issues in Japan and the planet.

 

July 23 - August 9

Opening reception: Saturday, 5-7pm

Momoko and Tetsuya Otani

Ceramic artists and also husband and wife, work from their studio in Shigaraki, Japan, creating work independently and also collaboratively. They have participated in the Simple Cup Show for several years and now prepare for their first solo showing of their work in the United States.   

 

August 13 - September 9

Opening reception:  Saturday 5-7pm
George Rodriguez, Ceramics, new work

In 2010, a prestigious travel fellowship awarded through the University of Washington took Seattle ceramist, George Rodriguez to over 30 countries in 8 months. He brought back a fresh outlook on culture, fashion, architecture and how society expresses itself.

 

September 17 - October 9
Opening reception: Saturday, September 17, 6-8pm
"Sen-nin-bari (千人針）/One Thousand stitches".　
10% of proceeds will be donated to the Japan relief effort.
Artists:  Ayumi Horie, Elizabeth Jameson, Jason Hirata, Junko Yamamoto , Yuko Kunugi, Toshi Asai, Tomoko Uno, Etsuko Ichikawa, Kinu Watanabe,Yuki Nakamura, Maki Tamura, Saya Moriyasu, Rumi Koshino 

  
  
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