MIND CROSS

tachikawa park (aug 2005)

Making a cross in my mind so i don't forget this beautiful sight. in times of stress this is the perfect image to think of. far removed from bare reality ...

N AME picasonic : 5:10 AM | COMMENT (0)

GRAFFITI SAFETY

(x-process ... shibuya)

an abundance of graffiti is often connected with places of danger or places where you need to be very vigilant. during my many years in nyc this was often the case, however, in tokyo, even in more rough looking neighborhoods there is a feeling of tranquility.

i often wonder, how and when were these works of graffiti created? late at night? who makes them? graffiti, invisible and mysterious art.

N AME picasonic : 4:40 AM | COMMENT (0)

NATURE & CONCRETE

(x-process ... daikanyama early morning)

i am back in nl but tokyo is still alive within me. a concrete jungle yet so full of nature. the balance of extremes is extreme and i extremely enjoy it. so dirty yet so clean, so crowded, yet so peaceful, so full of concrete, yet so green.

N AME picasonic : 4:32 AM | COMMENT (0)

FRESH AIR

sometimes necessary to get away from concrete and fashion ... tachikawa park was a lot of fun. havent been biking since i left holland so it felt a bit strange. need to get used to that kind of movement again for next week : )

the park used to be a US Base but now is a park. because it is government territory, no residential or commercial real estate can be built, so there is actually something positive about a military base.

N AME picasonic : 10:47 PM | COMMENT (0)

TEMAKI PARTY

staying with Mr. K's parents we had a great temaki party. so good, everything was there ! i think i ate the most hahaha. thank you very much !

afterwards i slept in the tatami room, i think the best sleep i had in japan, it felt like i am on another planet. good energy !

N AME picasonic : 8:24 AM | COMMENT (0)

NO RAIN, NO RAIN !!!

went to the hyde park music festival ( http://www.hmf-sayama.jp/ ) this past weekend. hyde park is the nickname for a park which used to be an american base in the past. the music festival organized here featured mostly japanese artists such as Hosono-san and others, basically country/folk genre. the day started perfectly but half way through the concert which lasted from 13:00 until 21:30 it started pouring so hard. for about 3 hours it was pouring and pouring and pouring. i couldnt believe how many people stayed, though, and how calm it was. also, the concert continued without any incidents, maybe a 10 minute delay.

in holland, if it is a little bit hotter than normal, maybe about 28 degrees, the trains right away start having major problems, delays, cancellations etc... when it is cold, same thing. how is it possible that here in japan even in times of extreme situations, things usually still function ?!

reminiscent of the famous neil young concert, people started screaming NO RAIN NO RAIN ... I am glad that we decided to stay after all. we almost went home since we all got wet and it looked soooooo bad. it turned out to be a memorable experience.

N AME picasonic : 12:34 AM | COMMENT (0)

SOOOOOOOOO SCARY

9:30 this morning, i am sitting at Mister Donuts, slurping my "kori kohi" and eating a delicious donut while checking out some magazine. then after 10 minutes this older lady walks in and sits down 2 tables next to me. she is getting food and a drink. then all of a sudden she takes out this baby doll with hat. the doll is wrapped in plastic so not to get wet.

then she starts talking to it like it is her kid, holding it in her arms. then she starts eating, holding the donut to the mouth of the doll, WHAT !?!?!? i really freaked out. she continues talking to it, then after a while taking it in her arms and giving some ice coffee. of course she was mentally ill but it gave me such a strange feeling .... the atmosphere around was all of a sudden soooooooooo scary.

N AME picasonic : 9:01 PM | COMMENT (0)

ALI RASHID in YOKOHAMA --- JAPAN

N AME picasonic : 9:41 PM | COMMENT (0)

finally, the day of the opening arrived. after a lot of hard work from everybody involved, we could all look at the work on the wall. it really has a clean image with a good contrast of works. ali rashid, an iraqi artist now living in holland has a long history which dictates the theme of his work. strong imagery telling about destruction but also specs of hope appear in his more modern abstract drawings and paintings.

unfortunately, ali couldnt be there himself. many people would have liked to meet him amongst the many artists that came to the show in yokohama. it will be running for another almost 2 weeks. for details check out tokyo01 ....

N AME picasonic : 9:35 PM | COMMENT (0)

NEW BUDDY

TRAVIS or also known as TRAVIS B is my new buddy. Always checking like a private detective, she might be old but always aware. She is a symbol of a summer full of new adventures, opportunities and memorable experiences.

It does make me sad to see her old eyes and I always wonder what she is thinking. By the actions one can tell though that she is still very fit in her mind and going out for a walk she was running around a lot. One could tell, her mind wants to go but the body is getting quite weak.

N AME picasonic : 9:22 PM | COMMENT (0)