Workshop/Residens – WashiArt: Från japansk origami-estetik till konstnärliga uttryck

Course Period:
Week 31
July 28 – August 2, 2024
(Note: The course concludes in the morning on August 2 with an exhibition.)

Welcome to a workshop where you will delve into the Japanese tradition of washi paper (also known as Japanese paper), its craftsmanship, and the material’s history. By combining traditional techniques with modern interpretations, we will create unique artistic expressions. This workshop is aimed at those seeking new materials and techniques to develop their practice.

The workshop/residency is supported by the Visual Arts and Design Grant from Region Dalarna.

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Participants
The workshop is intended for professionals in art, artistic design, spatial design, and educators in artistic and creative subjects or similar fields.
Maximum 15 participants.

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Course Structure

Monday, July 28 – Introduction to Washi and Folding Techniques

• Lecture on washi paper: Material, tradition, and origins, including an introduction to Tosa-washi.
• Workshop: Creating artistic forms using plant fibers employed in papermaking.
• Introduction to origami and its traditional applications: Explore the folding technique ”Origata” and its significance in Japanese culture.
• Screening of a documentary on Tosa-washi.

Tuesday, July 29 – Basic Techniques and Creation

• Overview of basic washi folding techniques with modern interpretations, featuring examples from Yuko Nishimura and Miro Burman.
• Create base forms and practice techniques by following traditional Japanese folding methods.

Wednesday, July 30 – Individual Work and Mentoring

• Participants continue working at their own level with individual guidance from the course leaders.
• Simultaneously, Yuko Nishimura and Miro Burman create their own works and demonstrate their processes to the participants.

Thursday, July 31 – Creation and Exhibition Planning

• Continuation from Wednesday.
• Planning and collaboration on a collective installation or preparations for an exhibition of individual works.

Friday, August 1 – Final Production and Exhibition Setup

• Completion of the creative process and exhibition setup.
• End of the day: The final exhibition is ready!

Saturday, August 2 – Exhibition

• Exhibition open to the public during the morning.
• Participants take their works home after the exhibition concludes.

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Workshop Leaders

Yuko Nishimura
Yuko Nishimura is a prominent paper artist renowned for her intricate and elegant sculptures. Born in France and raised in Tokyo, her international background and love for craftsmanship have shaped her artistic journey. With a background in architecture and a profound interest in Bauhaus composition, Yuko’s fascination with paper began during her university years as she explored its role in traditional Japanese architecture. This exploration led her to become a paper sculptor, pushing the boundaries of traditional origami into contemporary art, earning her international acclaim.

Yuko’s work is characterized by her innovative use of paper, exploring abstract forms and the concept of “paper folding” through sculptures, installations, and architectural surfaces. Her works are particularly captivating in how they interact with light; the folds and creases she creates add depth and texture, bringing her creations to life.

Unlike traditional figurative origami, Yuko emphasizes abstract expressions, expanding the possibilities of paper as an artistic medium. Her creative process is meditative, requiring immense patience and precision, where each deliberate fold contributes to the overall harmony of the work. She views her work as inseparable from traditional Japanese etiquette and the country’s paper culture, while also highlighting the environmental benefits of paper as a sustainable material.

Passionate about sharing her craft, Yuko takes joy in inviting others to see beyond the surface of Japanese washi paper and appreciate the beauty of detail and the profound simplicity of a well-folded crease.

Link to Yuko Nishimura’s website
Link to Yuko Nishimura’s presentation and images of her works

Miro Burman
Miro Burman is a bookbinder and paper product designer with experience in both Sweden and Japan. She works with traditional Japanese materials and techniques and is based in Stockholm.

Today, she works on unique book projects and accepts commissions for origami designs from architectural firms, advertising agencies, and interior design companies. She also conducts courses and workshops at various art schools, museums, and organizations, including the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Skansen, Konstfack, Nyckelviksskolan, and the Graphic Arts School.

Link to Miro Burman’s website

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Course Fee
SEK 5,210 per person, including materials, lunch, coffee, and one communal dinner.

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Accommodation

• SEK 4,080 per person: Includes breakfast, dinner, departure cleaning, and linens/towels in a single room with a private bathroom.
• SEK 3,330 per person: Includes breakfast, dinner, departure cleaning, and linens/towels in a shared double room with a private bathroom (when two people register together).

Check-in available from 4:00 PM the day before the course starts.

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Additional Nights
You can book extra nights before and after the course. A maximum of two extra nights can be added.

• Extra night, single room: SEK 530/night, including breakfast.
• Extra night, shared double room: SEK 430/night per person, including breakfast.

For additional nights beyond this, Bed & Breakfast rates apply. Find more details here.

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Apartment Upgrade
Participants can book an apartment with an additional cost of SEK 200/person/night. Bookings are made afterward via email or phone. Contact information is available at the top of the page.

The workshop is conducted with support from the Visual Arts and Design Grant by Region Dalarna.

Nära Leksands centrum, ute på en udde där Siljan och Dalälven möts, ligger Leksands folkhögskola inbäddad i grönska. Här bildar skolans gamla timmerbyggnader och trähus som rymmer klassrum, boenden och verkstäder en egen liten by.

Lugnet, de vackra omgivningarna och gemenskapen skapar en miljö för lärande och personlig utveckling.

Hos oss handlar det om att få lära sig ”av hjärtans lust”. Att våra studerande ska få utforska sin egen kreativitet och skaparlust har stått i fokus ändå sedan vi startade 1953. För oss innebär det ett tillåtande klimat, med högt i tak och delaktighet.

Inramningen runt lärandet är av stor betydelse, för oss betyder det vällagad mat med omtanke, men också att våra verkstäder är tillgängliga dygnet runt för att möta all kreativitet och energi som skapas här.

Leksands folkhögskola har många internationella kontakter vilket betyder att du som kursdeltagare erbjuds att delta i workhops, samarbeten och lyssna på föreläsningar som breddar din utveckling och bildning ännu mer.

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