Fine Arts Friday: Japanese Paper Making

The Fine Arts Department at WSU Vancouver and artist Mami Takahashi offer another exciting workshop on the art of Japanese paper making.

Participants will be introduced to traditional and contemporary Japanese paper making techniques with natural fibers such as mulberry, cotton and wood pulp. Students will incorporate gold leaf, objects from nature and everyday materials in their paper, alongside other decorative methods. Through this workshop, participants will expand their knowledge of Japanese paper making and learn how it can be used within a wide range of art practices such as painting, sculpture and collage.

Participants need to bring:
• Towels or clean rugs for mounting and drying wet paper
• Several objects from nature and daily life—dry or fresh leaves/flower petals (flatter is better), used mail stamps, yarn and strings, beads and anything else that is either flat or string-like.
• A flat plastic folder or container to bring their projects home in
• An awesome attitude!!

Mami Takahashi is trained as a traditional Japanese painter. Her work explores self-identity within different cultural contexts. Takahashi’s work attempts to bridge the gap between traditional Japanese culture and contemporary society. Her paintings, mixed media, sculptures, video and performance-based works evoke the sense of alienation, isolation and detachment that occurs when one is between cultures.

Mami Takahashi’s works can be seen at http://mamitakahashi.tumblr.com/

Artist Lecture: Mami Takahashi will give an artist’s talk on Wednesday, April 10, in Multimedia Classroom building, room 107, at 3 p.m.