The River Flows

My exhibit, “The River” ends today. As always, having an exhibit gave me a chance to see many friends I haven’t seen for so long. And this time, my parents were able to come from Japan to attend the opening. It was very special. My mother brought a kimono from there and she helped putting the kimono on me. (Otherwise, I don’t know how to put them on by myself.) They had a great time meeting many of my friends and hanging out in the gallery as the artist’s parents. 

The exhibit looked great, thanks to Andrew Mroczek, the Director of the VanDernoot Gallery and Anna Farrow, the Assistant to the Director. I always love seeing my drawing, “Blue” since it’s a 10 feet long drawing and it’s usually stored as rolled up in my studio. And all the works were hung sparsely, giving enough breathing space between them. 

My most recent work, “The River” (4”x 167”  mineral pigment on found paper) was hang with both sides rolled up, showing just some sections of the work. I think it still suggest that the river continues even though you’re not seeing the entire image. 

"The River"  4"x 167"  Mineral pigment on found paper.  2013

For the opening reception, I made a playlist comprised of many songs with “river” as a theme. One of my favorite songs I found on iTune store is “River” by Emeli Sandé, an English-born Scottish recording artist and songwriter. Her voice is just amazing, and the lyrics really resonated within me. I especially love these sections in her lyrics. 

…..

See maybe I’m too quiet for you
You’ve probably never noticed me
But if you’re too big to follow rivers
How you ever gonna find the sea?

So follow me, I’ll be your river, river
I’ll do the running for you
Follow me, I’ll be your river, river
I’ll move the mountains for you
Follow me, I’ll be your river, river
I’m here to keep you floating
Follow me, I’ll be your river, river
River, river 

…….

You can find the rest of the lyrics on her website, and you can also listen to “River” and her other songs on spotify. 

Another music I fell in love is “River Flows in You” by Yiruma, a pianist and composer from South Korea. Incredibly beautiful, romantic, yet I feel a bit of melancholic. You can also listen to “River Flows in You” on spotify.

I love what river suggests—flowing, running, journey, continuation, stream, and also as a vein, vessel, and pathway. Maybe I’m lucky to be able to make these positive connotations about river. 

“Two Rivers” and “Purple is the New Blue” were created after reading an article in the New York Times about the contaminated canal in Savar, Bangladesh. This is the city where the factory building collapsed earlier in April this year. Pollution and contamination of the water in this area are the result of heavy industry factories that ignore the environmental regulation and its’ consequences to make more profit. The water in the river is so contaminated that people can tell what color of dye is being used at a nearby dying plant by looking at the color of the river. Some days, it’s purple, and other days, it’s red or grey. Students at a nearby elementary school cannot concentrate, they feel dizzy and lightheaded, and they feel nausea from the polluted water and air. 

"Two Rivers"  42"x 60"  Mineral pigment, micro pigment pen and tea on paper. 2013

"Two Rivers" detail

I wonder what kind of images these children have about river. 

They may not associate the title “River Flows in You” with Yiruma’s beautiful music. Maybe river makes them think of something dirty, sickening, polluted and dangerous. 

I don’t know where it’s taking me, but my river continues to flow.

The River Opens

Last several months, or precisely about six months, seemed like riding in the fast rapid flow of river. All the surroundings were blur, though I know I was going very slow pace at some points. A lot of things happened. First, I lost my job. My position was terminated at the university due to a lack of funding. Then, I was accepted to go to the Blue Mountain Center for 2 weeks residency in July. Shortly before that, I was given an opportunity for a solo show in the fall. In the summer, I devoted a lot of my time on Brazilian zouk dance as a coordinator for the International Zouk Flash Mob for the Boston team. I learned the choreography from the video and taught, and coordinated the flash mob day event. In August, I went to NYC to get the zouk teaching training and received my advanced zouk teaching certificate from Zouk NY. More than a half of August was spent either being in NYC or hosting people at my house. September came and went like a hurricane. Before I knew it, it was September 21^st, the International Day of Peace, also the day of the International Zouk Flash Mob. On this day, nearly 5,000 people from 127 cities and 43 countries danced the same choreography around the world. Boston team danced 8 times at 6 different locations throughout the city. We spent all afternoon trekking around the city and dancing.

Boston Team performing in front of the Trinity Church.
Photo: Charles Daniels

But ten days before that, my 17 years old cat sort of collapsed. She couldn’t eat or drink well on her own anymore. So, I had started nursing her with baby food and giving her infusion everyday. Much of September was spent in my studio, trying to finish all the works for the show. And my cat, Ash, was always on my side. If I was sitting on the floor drawing, she would sit on the cushion right next to me. And if I was sitting on the chair, she would climb up and take over the chair, so I always ended up sitting on the edge of the chair. Even though she couldn’t eat well on her own and getting weak, she kept a good company for me; following me around as much as she could, and still climbing up to the bed to sleep with me at night. Working around the clock in the studio meant that I got to spend a lot of time with her as well, even though that meant we were just sitting side by side while I was working. It was a special time. I knew Ash was old and deteriorating, but she’s been so tough in the past (she bounced back from strokes a couple of times in the past,) so I was hoping she would do so once again. The week of October 7^th was my deadline to finish all my works. I finished everything and got all the new works photographed on the 5^th. I brought three large drawings to the framer on the 6^th. And on the 10^th, my other framer came to pick up small drawings to frame. Everything was going well on the schedule. Then, October 11^th, on early morning, Ash died.

Ash was 17 years old, blind and deaf, but never gave up on living until the end.

The last three days of her life, Ash completely lost an interest for eating, and I had to force-feed her. I knew her days weren't long. She waited until I was ready—only after I finished all my works for the show and got everything arranged, she decided it's time. The gift was that she let me witness her passing in my arms. I know she did that for me. She slept in my bed that night. Around 1am, she wanted to get out, so I lowered her down to the floor, but she couldn’t walk very well. I knew then that I might have to take her to the vet in the morning and put her to sleep, which I really didn't want to do. After 3am, her breathing started getting irregular. I kept stroking her and telling her how great kitty she has been and she can go. That morning, only after my alarm o'clock went off at 7:30am and I was fully awake and watching her, she turned around to face me, stretched and reached her arms to me, then she took her last breath. It was 7:35am.

Today, my solo show, “The River” opened.

I feel like my river is also opening up.

The River

VanDernoot Gallery
at University Hall


October 24 - November 27

Opening Reception: Wednesday, October 30^th, 6:00-8:00pm

Lesley University College of Art and Design

1815 Massachusetts Avenue


Cambridge, MA

Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 12 - 5 pm, Thursday: 3 - 8 pm

Hours are subject to change; please call ahead to confirm, 617.585.6656.