This writing workshop is part of a year-long artist-in-residency by Haruko Okano to be held in the public park at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Garden. Writers from each of three cultural groups are invited to create poetic or philosophical statements inspired by nature, written in their own language. These affirmations will become part of an art installation at the park from April 11 to July 15.
The Haruko Okano writing workshop is one element in Converse, the last of three stages of installations, walking tours, performances, and workshops to be held at in park as part of the Conduit installation. A member of the Art Is Land Network, Conduit is an interdisciplinary, community-engaged contribution in three parts: (1) The Meditation on Water, (2) The Meditation on Land, and (3) Gifting.
The Meditation on the Land component includes the writing workshop and an invitation to mail or email written affirmations, in the following two parts:
(1) The Meditation on Land
This workshop invites Chinese, Japanese, and Aboriginal peoples whose strong connection with nature lends itself to expressing affirmations for the earth. Each cultural group is invited to create affirmations, poetic or philosophical statements inspired by nature, written in their own language. Three contributions from each group will be wood-burned onto cedar planks to be mounted in various locations within the park – three planks – one from each cultural group, at any given time during the residency April 11 to July 15.
When contributing an affirmation for the earth, please also provide translation/interpretation in English.
Members of the public are also invited to attend the workshops or mail in affirmations for Gifting to visitors to the park during the Converse public events.
First Workshop: Saturday, March 21, 1:00 to 4:00. Please drop in at any time during these hours. Seating is limited to 12 to 15 people at a time.
Cost: Free. All materials are supplied by the facilitator Haruko Okano
Location: Historic Joy Kogawa House, 1450 West 64th Avenue, just one block east of Granville Street, Vancouver
(2) Gifting
Meditation for the Planet invites all people worldwide, to contribute affirmations for the earth. These can be written in any language so long as the English translation accompanies it. Please limit the affirmation to fit on a sheet of paper 4-inches-by-2.5-inches.
Send your affirmations by e-mail or snail mail and they will be printed on rice paper and inserted into envelopes made of organic fresh leaves. (Please print clearly.)
E-mail address: healing4earthfru@gmail.com
Snail mail:
Attn: Land Meditation
305 – 1230 East 8th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5T 1V2
Contribution deadline June 15, 2015
More about Haruko Okano
Haruko Okano received arts training in both Toronto and Vancouver. She has been a practising professional artist since 1972, and has exhibited her works both nationally and internationally, including multimedia installations and assemblages. In 2000 she was the recipient of the prestigious Jack and Doris Shadbolt Foundation VIVA Award. An advocate for artists’ rights, cultural diversity, and human rights, she also creates portable murals and organizes community-developed public art projects.
To follow the whole Conduit project, please go to Art Is Land Network.