Pointing in the Right Direction

I have signed up to take an Introduction to Sculpture class this summer. Although I am unlikely to make a sculpture that will be as large as these, or at least as big as the bottom elephant, I am excited about the possibility of making an actual piece of art. Who knows? Perhaps, I will be able to contribute to public art spaces such as this one in the future!

Elephantitis & Elephantitos

There is something quite nice about this blue stone material that was used to make these elephant sculptures. These are in Portland, Oregon.

Mi Cara, Mi Tristeza, Mi Futuro

I saw this sculpture at the Japanese Memorial on the Portland waterfront, facing the Willamette River.

Kyoto kyoto

Este video fue tomado en las calles de Kyoto, Japon durate la temporada de primavera en el 2008. Muy breve, pero quisaz sea util para investigaciones del futuro.

Tortugas en Kyoto

It is always nice to visit international zoos when you travel abroad. Yesterday, I spent the afternoon at the Kyoto Zoo, and stumbled upon these turtles in the middle of their daily swim.

Biggy Big - Freud Style

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/05/13/freud.art/index.html

It's drizzling in Kyoto now, and I just got back from a nice stroll through the center of town. I had eel earlier today, and I think that I may be done with this Japanese delicacy. I am craving other flavors now, and although I appreciate traditional cuisine, I also miss the fusion style of California cooking.

I may pursue some South Asian cooking for dinner tonight. Just to keep my palate alive and awake.

It's a nice day in Kyoto, and I hope tomorrow presents a nice opportunity to explore the city on bike.

As a matter of fact, I was able to purchase a bike earlier today for 2,000 yen, which is about 20 dollars. The transaction was brokered with the help of a very friendly ballroom dancing instructor. The bike shopkeeper and his daughter spoke so little English, that their neighbor, the ballroom dancing instructor, had to step up and help with the sale! Lucky for me, I rode away with a nice fold-up bike, with a new basket attached to it. There's nothing like exploring Kyoto on wheels, and I look forward to taking full advantage of my newfound toy!

Cheers to all from the land of the rising sun...

Ciao

Edu

Terremotos en Japon

All of a sudden, the earth starting shaking. The apt tower swayed back and forth to a relaxing and rolling rythm, not against the current, but with it, tilting and sidestepping to avoid any of its toes from being stepped on. I felt like I was part of this dance, unknowingly, but reluctantly accepting its turns and strides.

I was in my first Tokyo earthquake, and my building was a willing participant. But after the second earthquake, which could have lasted up to 45 seconds, I was beginning to worry. Was this building safe? How were people reacting? Was there any damage anywhere?

But then I recalled all of my earthquake training in LAUSD classrooms, and instead decided to go back to sleep.

This morning I woke up thinking it all could have been a dream. That's how this whole experience still feels. Perhaps its the jet lag, and being 10 plus hours ahead of California, etc.

Day two in Japan. And the sun has only just begun to shine its light over this amazing city called Tokyo.

Rio de Janeiro en Japon

No se si sea normal, pero siento que en Japon, la gente tambien siente un poco de Corcovado o de bossa nova en su manera de ser. Hay algo en su manera de caminar, mas en las mujeres que en los hombres, pero es obvio siempre y cuando uno le ponga cuidado y atencion. Es algo sutil, pero con mucho temblor y son, que la gente vive su vida con sentir de ganas y de emocion. En veces, me siento como un sordomudo entre esta gente, pero me gusta este estado de mente. Por lo pronto, todo gira super bien en Japon. Ciao - Edu.

Watari-um

Earlier this afternoon, I visited the Watari Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo. The exhibit is titled "Seed and Grow" and shows the work of Fabrice Hyber.

The words that came to mind when I explored the various installations were "vegetable", "green", "dirt" and "soil." There was something very earthy and clean about the whole experience. Perhaps it is the memory of cutting grass with my dad or chopping down the bougainvillea in my first home in East Los Angeles, but all together, my brain was put at ease by the work presented by the artist. It was not exactly sophisticated in any way, shape or form.

In fact, it could have easily been a public school teacher's pet project at some suburban elementary school in Ohio or West Virginia. But it wasn't. It was in Tokyo, and there was something pleasant about seeing this exhibit after having consumed a nice bowl of miso soup, and a nice cold beer.

So far so good in Japan. Every day is going to be good. Stay tuned for some pics, and for more reports like this one. Currently listening to "Blueberry Hill" on my Bose and green iPod.

And They Were Kung Fu Fighting...

Hola Chicos...

Currently in Tokyo, Japon. Last night, I went to this great little hole-in-the-wall restaurant and tried to order some food. The old man came over and pointed to a menu with no decipherable symbols. Welcome to Tokyo...and when the food came out...it was insanely delicious.