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but does it float
In News onEvery once in a while I check if “but does it float” has a new entry. The site stands
out, among many visually oriented sites, in showing intriguing images lead by
brief sentences. The text often act as a springboard to lift you up where the images
are displayed or they can playfully set the rhythm to the visual composition that
follows. The curators of the site, Folkert Gorter and Atley G. Kasky, know how to
put up great shows tastefully, beautifully and effectively. Here are some examples.
Click to see the full entry at but does it float
Click to see the full entry at but does it float
Click to see the full entry at but does it float
Here is what they did with my work (below). Somehow the vastness of the text at
the beginning takes you to a place where you can let your imagination fly. It’s so
clever and effective.
Click to see the full entry at but does it float
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Art for People: NYFA’s A & AE
In News onIt’s no surprise that as an artist I believe art is good. Not just paintings or
sculptures but anything that can make me see new possibilities, open my eyes
to new realities and make me feel some sort of awe inspiring flow that’s
bigger than my usual self. And simply put, there are amazing things out there
that make me say “wow, I’m glad to be alive to see that!”. But actually getting
out and trying to help artists to make things is a tricky matter; especially
when it’s done publicly. When I see people debating about it, I feel helpless.
I have no words to say if someone claims that we have more urgent issues
than people having fun listening to music or painting pictures. And how
do you decide what’s good for people and what’s not?That’s why it’s so refreshing and encouraging to see people just going
ahead and doing what they believe by clever ideas and practical solutions.
Last year I had such a moment when I got to know about
the Artists & Audiences Exchange program of New York Foundation for the Arts.
It’s a part of their grant program which basically give away money to selected
applicants. But they tell the selected applicants that the part of their money
will be given only if they make up a public program for the people in NY state.
OK, so when I got the money from NYFA last year, my response was, “Ah,
what? It’s not a free money? I don’t get it. They are not just giving it to me?
What???.”. Well, that was just before I realized the cleverness and significance
of the program. It’s so great to know that there are smart, capable people
looking after arts out there. Thank you NYFA.After thinking about the program for a few months I decided to give a talk at a
local library, Hampton Library, in Bridgehampton, NY. Its building has just
gotten an extensive renovation and the director of the library has been very
positive and welcoming about the idea (my wife used to work there!). So the
talk is going to be on Saturday May 15th 3:00PM. I will be talking about my
sculpture making process with lots of images. It’ll be relaxed, informal and
hopefully fun. Please let the library know if you are interested in attending.
I will see you there if you are around!
Contact information for the Hampton Library in BridgehamptonFacebook Page for the Hampton Library in BridgehamptonHiroyuki Hamada is a 2009 Artist Fellowship recipient of the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA). This presentation is co-sponsored by Artists & Audience Exchange, a NYFA public program.
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“My work in an art text book?”
In News onA few years ago I had a great experience in working with people at the
Swarthmore College, PA for their gallery show. At the opening I met one of the
art professors, Michael Cothren, who was working on a college art text book
called “ART A Brief History”. He was very generous in complimenting my work
and I had a lot of fun talking to him. A few weeks later, he emailed me saying that
he was thinking about putting my work in the upcoming edition of the text book.
Of course I didn’t have any problem with it…
An image from the Swarthmore College show. The full photo set can be seen at “PHOTOS” at the main part of the site.
So I’ve been wondering if that will actually happen. And last week, the book
came in the mail. In it, I do see a picture of my work and very nice descriptions of
the work by professor Cothren.
Amazon‘s got it.
It’s really exciting to reach out to people learning about art and to take
a part in more fun in their lives. As I wrote a few month ago, I myself
got into art through community college education.Well, I know, it’s sort of weird and surreal. Last time I felt like this
was when my wife decided to go out with me ten years ago. I was like,
“wow, cute woman like that actually wants to be with me?”. Good
things do actually happen sometimes.