Reconnecting with Nature Through Art and Architecture

The Japan Society of Greater Fairfield County and the Yale Council on East Asian Studies invite you to a discussion on how art and architecture can bring human beings closer to nature.

Join artist Miya Ando and architect Yoko Kawai as they share their insights on how their work bridges the gap between the human and natural worlds. Ando's artworks are a physical articulation of her understanding of nature and time, as seen in her recent work Flower Atlas, 72 chiffon banners suspended in the Winter Garden in New York. Kawai’s recent research focuses on the first-person perspective toward and sensual experience of the environment, both nature and manmade, apparent in the Space-Traveler’s notation system that she developed and applied in her design practice.

Their conversation, moderated by Dr. Mimi Yiengpruksawan, will reveal different approaches to enhancing human-nature relationships by those who share their interest in spatial expression as well as their personal roots in Japan.

Speakers

Miya Ando, an accomplished contemporary artist and descendant of a Japanese swordsmith family. With her expertise in metalwork, Ando creates mesmerizing artworks that reflect the ephemeral beauty of the changing seasons. Her creations not only pay homage to her Japanese heritage but also bridge the gap between traditional craftsmanship and modern artistic expression.

Dr. Yoko Kawai, an architect known for her designs infused with Japanese philosophical principles. As Lecturer at Yale's School of Architecture, her expertise lies in exploring how Japanese architecture, both old and new, have ingeniously incorporated nature and human-beings as a part of it. Yoko is principal of Penguin Environmental Design, CT, and is a co-founder of Mirai Work Space.

Moderator

Dr. Mimi Yiengpruksawan, an esteemed art historian and professor at Yale University, specializing in Japanese art and visual culture. Her research sheds light on how Japanese artists throughout the ages have masterfully captured the passage of time and the subtleties of seasons in their artwork. Her contributions to the discussion will offer invaluable insights into the aesthetic sensibilities that resonate globally.

The Event is FREE, but registration is required HERE