Plants & Walks: Artistic encounters @ PACT Zollverein June 2023

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Can we hear plants or feel the energy flow of microorganisms in the earth’s soil? What happens when we no longer primarily rely on our sense of sight to orientate ourselves in the world? What shifts in our perception and self-conception as human beings are necessary to achieve this? On a performative excursion to the Zollverein colliery slagheap, visitors are invited to encounter the plant and bacterial inhabitants of this man-made, and now densely overgrown, hill formed with waste matter from coal mining.

Close by PACT, artists Deter/Müller/Martini attempt to make contact with plants while the bacilli collective from Japan share artistic methods for harvesting alternative energy, and dancer and choreographer Márcio Kerber Canabarro and his team explore the possibilities of a practice of »seeing« that involves tactile and auditory perception and all our receptive faculties.

https://www.pact-zollverein.de/en/programme/plants-walks

The Japanese artist collective bacilli nurture active spaces for living with dirt, people, food, microbes and spirits. Through artistic engagement with earth, they build hopeful models for how we can live in co-habitation with more than human life. While in residency at PACT, bacilli are artistically investigating the energy created from microbes inside dirt in Essen and questioning whether we can live synergistically together with energy currents flowing through the earth? Starting through geological research on coal histories in the Ruhr area, the three artists are conducting interviews with residents about shifting energy models currently in progress and connecting power currents past and present through imaginative thinking. At their picnic, bacilli invite visitors to share their own stories, exchange ideas, or simply enjoy the conversation. bacilli will also offer insights into their work and share artistic methods for harvesting alternative energy to bring it back into the hands of citizens for their creative enjoyment in the creative format of ›Dirt Radio‹.

6:00-19:00 h ongoing
Close to PACT
bacilli collective
›Dirt Currents‹
Picnic / Talk / Residency Insights
Admission free

DOCUMENT art:writing:history collaborative project

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DOCUMENT IS…

 a series of collaborative workshops and conversations that seeks to reconsider the notion of document. Bringing together the practice of three artists, three writers, and three historians, whose work has involved the use of historical archives, DOCUMENT attempts to critically reexamine conventional practices of history and offer alternate modes of writing about the past. It seeks to create a space of making, a way of writing, that cuts across the disciplinary boundaries of history, creative writing, and art.

https://dokyu.space/

 

ORGANISERS
James Jack
Naoko Shimazu
Lawrence Ypil
PEOPLE
Martin Dusinberre
Hilmi Johandi
Anthony Medrano
Collier Nogues
Siddharta Perez
Aki Sasamoto
CREATIVE TEAM
Chan Yi Qian
Christie Chiu
DESIGN
Sean Cham

Nets of Connectivity: Contemporary Maritime Voyages

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Nets of Connectivity: Contemporary Maritime Voyages
Jaringan Penyambungan: Pelayaran Maritim Masa Kini

Serina Rahman & James Jack 

This project weaves upon intimate maritime links in the Malayo-Polynesian world through a synergy of artistic and scientific methods reconnecting communities in Kona (Hawai‘i), Pandan (Singapore) and Tanjung Kupang (Malaysia), working with our shared passion for stories. Voyaging with stories as our compass we find new ways of understanding trade routes within the hybrid realities of today. We share food recipes to overcome national borders, colonial separations and social distancing with innovative approaches to not only survive, but to thrive.

Fishnets are a symbol of our maritime connections, embodying our continuous engagement in tying, mending and maintaining the knots between individuals, groups and cultures that weave shared his/herstories. This project tells tales of co-creation by two groups of youth working across the Tebrau Strait before, during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, through the distinct yet intersectional work of science and art revitalizing knowledge of informal trade networks past and present.

International Forum on Maritime Spice Trading Routes and Cultural Encounters in Indo-Pacific: Past, Present and Future

Bandung, Indonesia

Art is a Priority! 13-27 Feb 2021 DMAC Island of Hawai‘i

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New work by James Jack featured in the 14th annual Art is a Priority Online Art Auction to benefit the Donkey Mill Art Center happening February 13-27, 2021. All proceeds will go towards providing outstanding arts education and experiences to the community by an established arts organization. Visit https://bit.ly/annualartauction to register!
Featured Artists:
Clayton Amemiya, Margaret Barnaby, Jake Boggs, Melissa Chimera, Alex Couwenberg, Jesse Kahoonei, John Koga, Wayne Levin, Gerald Lucena and Kristin Mitsu Shiga, Hiroki Morinoue, Setsuko Morinoue, Anthony Watson, Makiko Yamaguchi, Lee Ballard, Nanette Bell, Henry Bianchini, Jisoo Boggs, Hunter Buck, Lynn Capell, Kaili Chun, Robert Corsair, Micha Croft, Tara Cronin, Heide Cumes, Angaea Cuna, Akiko Cutlip, Michael Cutlip, Andrea Dezso, Kevin Diminyatz, Kathleen Dunphy, Peter Durst, Eric Edwards, Brady Evans, Carl F.K. Pao, Ronit Fahl, Bailey Ferguson, Renee Fukumoto-Ben, Judith Gaulke, Adam Gurvitch, Daven Hee, Roxanne Hironaka, Bobby Howard, James Jack, James Kaulukukui Jr., Melany Kerver, Caroline Killhour, John Kjargaard, John Koga, Noa Lake, Jaxson Lambert, Lindsay Lander, Cris Lindborg, Kasey Lindley, Michael Marshall, John McCaskill (Studio Jomac), Linda Meyer, Jane Chang Mi, Mary Mitsuda, Miho Morinoue, Richard Notkin, Harinani Orme, Laraine Oura, Avalon Paradea, Marcia Pasqua, Barbara Pfaffenberger, Joy Ray, Margo Ray, Dorothy Remington, Rich Richardson, Sam Rosen, John Roth, Kamran Samimi, Laurel Schultz, Claire Seastone, Daniel Sheinfeld Rodriguez, Esther Shimazu, Shelby Smith, Leslie Steinwachs, Ira Stivers, Laurie Sumiye, Phoebe Toland, Lonny Tomono, Gerald T. Walsh III, Judith Williams, Kate Williams, Nora Yamanoha, Maile Yawata, Scott Yoell, Hana Yoshihata, Debbie Young
Important Dates:
Silent Auction: Opens on February 13 at 9:00am HST – Closes on February 27th at 5:30pm HST
Live Auction: Begins at February 27 at 5:00pm HST

Full Press Release here

Sea Birth three featured in Tropical Lab online

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Tropical Lab Alumni online showcase:

James Jack

Sea Birth three

2020

‘Through the Sea Birth trilogy, Jack draws upon the maritime history of Okinawa, where the islands’ folklore adds crucial perspectives often missing in current reporting of issues. In Sea Birth three, the final part of the trilogy, the painting sets the scene in Henoko-Ōura Bay with signs of resistance arising from the forest, the video provides context to the political contestations in the bay and the driftwood becomes a home for the fire spirits to return to their rightful habitat.’

– Jaimey Hamilton Faris & Azusa Takahashi

 

https://www.tropicallabpresents.com/james-jack


Credits:
Masayuki Tamae, Leona Nishinaga, Hideaki Gushiken, Takeshi Ishihara, Osamu Makishi, Yukino Inamine, Soma Takahashi, Piko Ishihara, Monica Kim, Keith Teo, Nathasha Lee, Yuto Mori, Noa Jack, Kristen Ho Hui Yan, the Georgette Chen Foundation, and Wakagenoitari Village

Fujinoyama Biennale 24 Oct – 23 Nov 2020 Shizuoka, Japan

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Fujinoyama Biennale 2020

24 October – 23 November 2020

James JACK

Loving Mountains: A Guide for Dismantling Intervention

「山を慈しんでいる：介入を取り除くための手引き」

会場         旧五十嵐邸歯科医院 /蒲原エリア >>

 

ジェームス･ジャックは、世界中に存在する社会とエコロジー（生態系）の関係を再生することに関心を持ち、各地で活動をしています。今回彼は、かつて富士山頂に建てられていた測候所のレーダードームが撤去されたという出来事に着目し、そこにハワイ島 のマウナケア山の姿を重ねました。この複数の場にまつわる新たなインスタレーションは、“ここ”と“そこ”の両方を癒し、地球のこころを覗きこむ空間をひらきます。

「神聖な山」として地元の人々の信仰の対象であるマウナケア山は、天体観測に好条件であるため、現在13台の天文観測所が建設されています。そして今、新たに世界一巨大な天文台を建てようとしており、それに対して自然と文化を守るための市民運動が起こっています。

コロナ禍で今年１月以降来日が叶わなくなった作家は、「人間が行動を控えることによって地球の空気・海・自然が復活している場所は非常に多くある」と言っています。数年前に静岡での環境アートワークショップと去年富士市の視察の延長線上で、富士山で起きた出来事についてオンラインでのインタビュー、文献、オーラルヒストリーの調査などを続け、専門家への質問や住民への聞き取りによってリサーチを進めました。

今日我々人類が山や、水の流れ、地層といった生態系に対して押し付けているもの。その介入を取り除く手引きを提示するために、この作品では山の持つ大きな歴史の周縁にある、ローカルな出来事に目を向けます。富士山とマウナケア山、山と人、歴史と現在、複数の視点を重ね、つなげていきながら、山を慈しむことを表現することができます。

 

http://fujinoyama-biennale.com

Shizuoka, Japan

 

座談会

人間、人間を超えて、山や大地を慈しむため

介入が減ることを通じた復活するものについて考える

ジェームズ・ジャックの「山を慈しんでいる：介入を取り除くための手引き」作品のインスタレーション風景2020年

 

富士の山ビエンナーレでの座談会

２０２０年１１月２２（日曜）

１３時半―１５時半

１２０分程度の対話

 

オンライン自由参加（無料）

 

Z O O Mのリンクはこちら

 

座談会概要

人間は自然環境の中で生きているが「これまで人間社会がおこなってきた自然への介入行為を、いかに解消していくか」と言う点について考えていきます。今年はコロナの影響もあり、そのような人と環境の関係性について再考をする年であると言われています。コロナ禍の状況は「Anthropause（人類の一時停止）」を引き起こしており、それは現代社会を象徴する厄災であり、科学研究、文化実践、社会運動などの分野でもこの状況を通じて深く考え、広い学びの機会となるでしょう。

もし仮に、山が大学であれば、そこではどんな学びができるでしょうか。ここで静岡の地域をはじめ他の場所も含めて、様々な研究者、キュレーター、N P O実践者、アーティストの観点から検討していきます。

今日の我々人類が、山や、水の流れ、地層といった生態系に対して（人間社会から）押し付けてしまっているものとして、撤去予定の構築物や閉鎖された建物、豊富な自然や汚染された自然などがあります。押し付けているものを取り除くための手引きを提示するために、山の持つ大きな歴史の周縁にある、ローカルな出来事に目を向けます。富士山と他の山の事例を考察し、人と人間を超えるもの、歴史と現在、水と大地から複数の視点を重ね、つなげていきながら、生き物を慈しむ方法について考えていきます。慈しむためのノーハウを共有していくために、皆さまと会話の場を開きます。

 

登壇者：

平野雅彦 （国立大学法人 静岡大学人文社会科学部 客員教授）

土器屋 由紀子（江戸川大学 名誉教授・認定NPO法人富士山測候所を活用する会 理事）

羽山まり子（アーティスト）

ジェームズ・ジャック（アーティスト・イェールシンガポール国立大学 助教授）

清水裕子（アート＆ソサイエティ研究センター 副代表理事・大阪市立大学都市研究プラザ 特別研究員）

ファシリテーター：

森健太郎（富士の山ビエンナーレ キュレーター）

協力：

佐藤彩乃（南洋理工大学 芸術・デザイン・メディア学 博物館学と学芸の実践 大学院生）

 

富士の山ビエンナーレ概要

富士山の麓に位置するこの地域は、高くそびえる富士山と南アルプスの山々からの豊富な水や日本で最も深い駿河湾からの資源といった自然の恩恵多い土地であることに加え、東西には東海道南北に身延道と富士川が通っており、古くから交易の主要地として栄えてきました。しかし現在、高速道路に代表される近代の交通路は、巨大化した東西の都市をつなぐ線となり私たちの街を貫く形となっています。東西南北の交易と共に繁栄してきたこの地の文化は、徐々に風化し、歴史を生き抜いた建築物は役目を終えて止まったようにひっそりとたたずんでいます。私たちの愛するこの街が止まらないように、現在進行形の生き生きとしたアート作品が街に命を吹き込んでくれることを期待し、この芸術祭を開催します。

 

 

“Dirt x (irl+url) = ?” WDA collective exhibit

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World Dirt Association

Dirt x (irl+url)= ?

31 October – 11 November 2020

ART FOR THOUGHT

Ginza, Tokyo

World Dirt Association deconstructs images of things by transforming dirt into material. In this work dirt from the exhibition site in Ginza will be central along with other places where the scent, color, shape of dirt experienced vicariously through the memories of place experienced by the collector. In these experiences, what story will be woven together by the audience and the artwork together?

Daily updates via live stream
URL: www.facebook.com/collectdirt

IRL live Dirt Cam Schedule:
Hours: 11:00-19:00 (JST)
10/31 Singapore
11/1 Dirt rest
11/2 Tokyo
11/3 Singapore
11/4 Tokyo
11/5 Wakayama
11/6 Singapore
11/7 Tokyo
11/8 Dirt rest
11/9 Wakayama
11/10 Singapore
11/11 Singapore

Closing event: 
Izakaya Style Dirt Aromas Happy Hour
11/11 18:00-19:00 JST

fb live

For this closing event dirt samples shared with WDA members and participants throughout the exhibit will be enjoyed alongside stories of their origins, relationships to human and more than human life both in person and online. In the style of an Izakaya, all samples are part of this “happy hour” event including a sample you would like to contribute. All are welcome to share. Please message for the zoom link if you would like to join online.

ART FOR THOUGHT
Ginza, Tokyo

アート フォー ソート

東京都中央区銀座8-10-4
和孝銀座8丁目ビル1F
Tel/Fax：03-6228-5922

“Art and Climate Change in the Pacific” exhibit – 11 October 2020 Hawai‘i

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James Jack. Sea Birth three. 2020. 4K digital video still.

 

Inundation: Art and Climate Change in the Pacific  

January 19 – February 28, 2020
The Art Gallery at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM), Art Building

March 28 – June 26, 2020 New dates 1 July – 22 October 2020
Donkey Mill Art Center, Hōlualoa, Hawai‘i

Inundation refers to both the watery disasters of climate change and the overwhelming emotions they evoke. This exhibition, curated by Jaimey Hamilton Faris, Associate Professor at the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, features work by Mary Babcock, Kaili Chun, DAKOgamay, James Jack, Kathy Jetn̄il-Kijiner, Joy Lehuanani Enomoto, Charles Lim, and Angela Tiatia. Based in the Pacific, these artists experience the climate emergency as an extension of long-term colonial, extractive and developmental forces that have made their communities especially vulnerable.

This major group show consists of multi-media videos, installations, and community performance projects, many of which have been conceived for this exhibition. Artists address climate justice situations in Hawai‘i, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu, the Philippines, Okinawa, and Singapore. As curator Hamilton Faris writes the exhibition “create[s] a space to process raw emotions, inspire collective imagination, and generate capacity for creative, actionable, and communal responses to our watery climate.”

Join curator Jaimey Hamilton Faris and guests for discussions on climate change and climate justice.

Thursday, January 23
Water Talks II: Climate Justice in the Pacific, The UH Art Gallery

4:00 – 5:30 PM  |  Tales of the Okinawan Sea
This special evening talk-story series brings together artists, scientists, policy-makers, historians and more to discuss how to move forward in this era of radical social and ecological transformation.

James Jack, Artist
Kenneth Kaneshiro, Director of the Center for Conservation Research and Training, Pacific Biosciences Research Center, SOEST
Norman Kaneshiro, Musician, UHM lecturer
facilitated by Aiko Yamashiro, Executive Director of the Hawai’i Council for the Humanities

James Jack. Sea Birth three. 2020. 4K digital video still.

 

University of Hawai‘i Art Gallery

Online catalog, video archive and climate justice resources available here:

https://www.inundation.org/

 

 

Selected Press
Inundation: Psychic Costs of the Climate Emergency
Hawai‘i Public Radio
By Jan 14, 2020

In just twenty years, awareness of climate change has progressed to climate anxiety. According to Time Magazine, mental health studies show “eco-anxiety” exploded last year from Greenland to Australia. A new exhibit at UH Mānoa aims to work through the grief and denial toward community action.

Full article here: https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/post/inundation-psychic-costs-climate-emergency

 

 

“Whisper of History” live artist talk @NUS Museum

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“Some things are too sacred for images, other things are waiting to be imagined.”

 

In Conversation with James Jack

James Jack’s practice revolves around creating socially engaged art works. In this conversation, he traces his practice spanning works using dirt from the Cu Chi tunnels, to social activism in Okinawa, focusing on how soil can tell us stories, and his research around the erasure and resilience of microhistories. A live Q&A with Jack will follow the conversation.

Posted by NUS Museum on Friday, September 25, 2020

Artist James Jack in conversation with Mary Ann Lim

26 September 2020

     James Jack’s practice revolves around creating socially engaged art works. In this conversation, he traces his practice spanning works using dirt from the Cu Chi tunnels, to social activism in Okinawa, focusing on how soil can tell us stories, and his research around the erasure and resilience of microhistories. A live Q&A with Jack will follow the conversation.