This is a picture of the 69th and Lexington Avenue in this morning... no car, very a few people walking on the street. Actually there was beautiful sun in the afternoon but as you know, it's gonna be really messy at night again. Stay warm!!
Handmade Japanese Cuisine & Dishes by Kazu Oba.Artist Reception
November 4th 2010 6-8pm at Sara Japanese Pottery.( 950Lexington Avenue New York NY 10021)
Kazu Oba could be the last apprentice of Takashi Nakazato as he no longer takes apprentices.Oba himself confesses that he was the worst of Nakazato's apprentices.
Born 1971 in Kobe, Japan, Oba first moved to the states in 1989. In 1999 he began his apprenticeship under sculptor Jerry Wingren and has occasionally worked with him in Sweden. In 2001 he had his first encounter with Nakazato at Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Colorado. The first day they met, Nakazato invited Oba to a dinner at his home, a dinner prepared by Nakazato himself. Oba strongly wanted to become Nakazato's apprentice, however some time before this meeting Nakazato had made public that he will no longer be taking apprentices. Knowing this Oba could not bring himself to ask Nakazato to take him as an apprentice. Two years went by, still Oba yearned to become Nakazato's apprentice. Probably sensing Oba's wish, Nakazato asked Oba if he wanted to become his apprentice. In 2003 Oba's dream finally became reality as he started his new life in Karatsu as Nakazato's apprentice. However this dream did not last long, Nakazato said to Oba, "Perhaps, becoming a potter is not for you. You would be best off finding another road." Oba returned to Colorado in late 2004 not yet ready to give up on his dreams of becoming a potter. His belief is this, being able to appreciate the quality and the greatness of Nakazato's work meant that one day he could possibly achieve that, and with this belief he continues to produce in his studio. For the following years, he has often worked with Nakazato as an assistant when Nakazato
This reception is a celebration of Kazu Oba's debut in New York. The artist himself will welcome each one of you with his handmade Japanese cuisine presented on his works of art. Japanese Sakes, Ninki-ichi and Mizbasho will be served to accompany Oba's handmade foods. Please join us and witness the moment as the Ugly Duckling takes flight for the first time as a Swan .
Naoto Ikeshima and Ruri Takeuchi will demonstrate their porcelain painting techniques.
Also featuring Sake Tasting presented by KANO SYUZOU CO., LTD. (Jo-Kigen), Ichishima Sake Brewery Inc. (Ichishima)
We will be open on Sunday for this special event.
Sep. 11th was one of the Busiest Saturday's for New Yorker's I believe.
With the end of summer, being the day right after the holidays, Tennis match and Mike Weber Show@ Sara Japanese Pottery!!
During the daytime we were having such a calm and relaxing mood on upper east side.Some of Mike's big fans came to talk.
Then around 6 pm when reception started a lot of people came to the show to talk with Mike!!
Thank you very much for coming by everyone.
We had a good time!
Mike Weber -Sculpture and Vessel-
Mike Weber has a very unique career of spanning over 40 years.
The first 20 years was spent creating and showing colorful sculptures together with the students of Spanish artist Miro. Then came the next 20 years, where he suddenly turned his focus to Japanese influenced bowls. Mike Weber Sculpture and Vessel show, taking place at Sara Japanese Pottery on Lexington Avenue, will focus on this second half of his great career through his most recent works.
Since building a small Anagama kiln at the recommendation of Shiro Tsujimura, Mike's works have flourished into a whole new level. Mike only uses red pine wood from start to finish for his firings, perhaps this is the secret to the unbelievable results of his works.
Mike once told me, " I'd rather use clay that's like a wild horse, difficult and hard to handle, rather than using refined clay. The wild horse spinning on the wheel results in the clay shaping itself naturally. " You will see this natural side of Mike in his works.
Mike will be at Sara Japanese Pottery for the Artist Reception on September 11th, and will be stopping by the store on the 12th and the 13th. Please come by to meet Mike in person, you are sure to have a wonderful moment with an artist with a fabulous personality.
Show Schedule: September 11th (Saturday) 12:00 ~ 20:00
September 12th (Sunday) 12:00 ~ 18:00
September 13th (Monday) 11:00 ~ 19:00
Artist Reception: September 11th (Saturday) 18:00 ~ 20:00
The reception will feature Dassai sake from Asahishuzo.
Address: 950 Lexington Avenue (between 69th and 70th) @ Sara Japanese Pottery
Small, wooden spinning tops.
Spins very well.
Very famous studio, 45 years of making these tops in Asahikawa city, Hokkaido. Wood and a wheel is all it takes, and each piece is carved by hand.
If you leave on top the coffee table, everyone is sure to pick one up and start spinning. I'm sure you did too, when
you were young.
Watching the tops spin bring a sense of peacefulness.
I played it often during new year holidays.
