Kyoto Art Journey 2020 - The Harmony of Zen and Art in Kyoto

Kyoto Art Journey 2020 - The Harmony of Zen and Art in Kyoto

November 20-21, 2020

With the help Prof. Noboru Tsubaki of the Kyoto University of the Arts, the Arts Committee Travel team  planned a  2 day art journey to Kyoto.

This year, the art trip was about exploring the artist's evolution from when they are a student to how they grow a full-fledged artist.  We visited students at work in their studios and artists in various career levels working in the Kyoto area during the 2 days. Final destination was  Kohei Nawa's, SANDWICH, a creative platform of various disciplines with studios, offices, multidisciplinary space where designers, architects and even dancers can collaborate. 

 At the height of the autumn foliage season, we  visited Myoshin-ji Temple and met Daiko Matsuyama the Deputy Head of Taizon-in, within Myoshin-ji. During the tour of the grounds, Matsuyama-san explained to us on the importance of Zen and how it continues to nurture art to grow in Kyoto.  The highlight of the tour was a special viewings of the Hatto (Dharma Hall) and the Happonirami no Ryū, (Dragon Gazing in All Directions) and special viewing of the Fusuma-e Project, jointly run by Taizo-in and Kyoto University of Arts.  This is a special project with the thinking to protect historic treasures and to also promote young artists to create a new cultural heritage to last hundreds of years to come. 

During the 2 days, the group visited, 1 university, 6 studios and Myoshin-ji.  We met with 33 artists!