Sustained Investigation
Theme: Japanese traditional patterns
Emphasis: Patterns and colors
To-Do The Impossible
This Piece was inspired by the Japanese saying "Koi no taki-noboori." Which means "When the koi fish swims upstream." This saying is used when you do the impossible or something unbelievable. The waves represent power and luck and the koi fish represents courage. I used the two traditional wave pattern that is used in many Japanese brush art. I placed the waves circulating direction toward the koi fish to convey the part where the koi fish goes upstream. By making the waves a cool-toned blue color and the koi fish speckled in bright orange and red, it creates a contrast of the two elements. I also created woodblocks to print them on paper. I used the laser cutter to cut three different woodblocks; one is the wave pattern and the shape of the koi fish, and the other two woodblocks are the pattern of the two colors used on the koi fish. I wanted to try and layer the two prints together. Unfortunately, it was difficult to align the three altogether and the outcome was not as expected. Next, I experimented with the woodblocks I made; I took the koi fish pattern and printed it on a piece of paper individually. From there I drew on the pattern, cut them out, and placed them around with them.
Ryukyu Robins
This piece was inspired by the "shippo" pattern. It is a pattern often symbolizing good relationships and bringing harmony. I have also included clouds, a cherry blossom tree, and a traditional bird in Japan called Ryukyu Robin. The clouds symbolize change, the cherry blossom tree represents optimism but also signifies the start of spring, and the robins symbolize new beginnings and hope. Together they mean even where there is change, there is hope and new beggings. You are also not alone in the world. The reason why there are two robins is to show that there will always be someone by your side.
Experiments
Cityscapes
This piece is based off of the mix of modern and traditional elements. The traditional aspect of this piece is the process of wood blocking and the traditional japaense clouds in the sky. In the colored 2D version the sky is red which is also a traditional design in Japanese artwork. the modern aspect of this piece is the buildings. I first thought of juxtaposing elements between modern (now) and traditional (then). Then I sketched a design of the juxtaposition I have chose. Then I went on Adobe Illustrator and created a black and white version for woodblocking and three different colored version as an experiment. After the 2D design I went onto carving my own stamp. I traced My design onto the rubber material used for making stamps and with a exacto knife, cut half way of the lines I've made to make the carving process easier. After the lining, I went onto carving all the spaces that will not stamp onto the paper; this became difficult when I was carving finer detail because I had to carve very thin lines and the rubber was very delicate. Although I have made some mistakes in my carving, in the end I love the traditional look it gives.