We visited MORI art museum with Tommy before he left to go back to the U.S. There was an astounding exhibition there -The Soul Trembles - by artist Shiota Chiharu. Her work is just so strangely beautiful and immersive.
Shi
All done with red yarn!
There is an overlook of Tokyo on the same floor as the museum. This is just a slice of a view of such a massive concrete jungle.
I have three quilts going right now -
1. David's indigo log cabin. Pat of Amity Quilter sweetly sent me some fish fabric for it - thanks Pat!
2. My latest Stepping Stones quilt (for Mormon Helping Hands) to be given to a graduate of an orphanage in Tokyo. I'm at the quilting stage, which I love. Simple straight lines with the walking foot. Almost finished!
Loving my little machine, the Bernina 475QE, for sure!
I *love* beginning new projects but I'm forcing myself to keep my ongoing projects to three. I just don't have the space for more than three messes at a time;).
However, I'm always happy to be interrupted to mend something. David and I are the "advisors" (mostly meaning that our apartment is a hangout on Tuesday nights) for the "Young Single Adults" in our church congregation, and one of them new to Japan, asked me to repair his jeans. He gave me artistic freedom (or, at least I insisted on it, ha ha). I used a spare Bear Paw piece as one of the patches. Vintage Japanese indigo, free motion machine stitching, and sashiko stitching. So fun to do, and wabi-sabi in action.
xo
Cynthia
I like your mending. My boss at school had me mend her coveralls over and over but she didn't want the patches to show ... and many of them were in similar spots.
ReplyDeleteYay I'm always so excited to see a new Tokyo post. That art installation is amazing. Wow. I don't even understand how an artists conceives of this but I love looking at it. was there a theme?
ReplyDeleteI have a 4" x 2" strip of that same fish fabric that I found on a free table somewhere. how funny is that?
Looking forward to seeing the circle project. how nice to make a charity quilt. You are bush with fun and different sewing projects.
love that mending :)
My mind just can't imagine like most artists. What an incredible display. Love your mending. That's artistic work too!
ReplyDeleteTalk about immersive art--that looks incredible!
ReplyDeleteThat is quite the view of Tokyo.
How nice of you to do a quilt for Mormon Helping Hands (I keep expecting them to rename that, like they have everything else).
Love your patchwork--maybe if I did my family's jeans like that they would stop asking me to mend them. LOL But they look so cool!
Love the contrast of your post! Modern art - modern Tokyo - three quilts - followed by amazing patches! Shiota Chiharu! I had to go look at some more of her work online - really like the work she's done with boats. I've also got some of the fish fabric! Mine is a Japanese cooking apron that I actually use. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI could never live in the city, but it does have its advantages and wonderful museums are among the best. What a wonderful exhibition. I'd be careful with the jeans patching. You may have started something that will keep you very busy while you are in Japan!
ReplyDeleteLove the wabi-sabi--turned out awesome! The art installation is amazing--I can't even imagine dreaming up something like that!
ReplyDeleteYou may have just created your own cottage industry with those jeans - fabulous patch.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh...you just reminded me I have a lot of jeans to mend. I'll have to try your method of mending. Maybe I'll mend the whole pile and give them back to everyone as Christmas presents. They have been in the mending pile so long that I'm sure everyone has forgotten about them and they will think I'm giving them new fashionable jeans that even fit!
ReplyDeleteI'm so impressed by your industry (and I haven't even answered your last letter.) Fun to see all your three projects--and what fabulous mended jeans. I hope they realize they have art on their body!
ReplyDeleteThanks for another glimpse of Tokyo and that art installation is amazing! You're making great progress with your projects. Love that indigo patch!
ReplyDeleteThat is a LOT of red yarn. WOW. I am glad that you are sharing fun glimpses of life there, I find it so interesting. I would love to have you mend some of my jeans, so cool!
ReplyDeleteoh I love all of this so much. and I need to see more of David's quilt!
ReplyDeleteThe exhibit--WOW! It's impressive in the photos, I can only guess how it felt in real life. As an installation piece, I don't suppose she recreates the same exhibit in other locations....
ReplyDeleteLove the repair on the jeans. Works of art walking around.
Tokyo looks like such a tight city though I do notice some green here and there.