Kizuna / 絆

September 2023

Kizuna / 絆

Kizuna / 絆, can be interpreted as the enduring bonds between people—close relationships forged through mutual trust and support. Originally describing the rope used to tether domestic animals such as horses and dogs, the meaning of kizuna has evolved over the years. A passage in The Tale of the Heike, compiled in the 13th century, uses the term to refer to the bonds of love between a father and his children. More recently, kizuna has gone beyond bonds tying together family and close acquaintances; it is now used in a broader sense of human ties and connections. We contextualize it here through the Japanese myth of the ‘red strings of fate’ that are unseen but tied to our fingers and connect us all. We also recall the game 'cat’s cradle’ or ayatori in Japanese. Of particular note is the kizuna born among people during natural calamities, which fosters feelings of solidarity and serves as the underlying strength to overcome hardships. As we find ourselves moving to a new side of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are proud to highlight this concept that has already permeated our community. Our hope is that upon encountering Kizuna, you will join our ever growing community and make new bonds along with us. We invite you to explore this concept further at our annual fundraising gala at Salvage One on Friday, November 17th.

With you,

Saira Chambers, Curator / Director of Japanese Culture Center and Japanese Arts Foundation

About the Artists:

Matt Alicea - “I did everything that isn’t cool about this. Amateur uncool doer.” *Curatorial note, Matt is the reason this came together and did an obscene amount of work.

IG: @ittotti

Natalie Wagner is a multidisciplinary artist working under the name Big Feeling. Their practice includes ceramics, printmaking and large scale installation, and is primarily focused around creating sensory experiences either visual or tactile. Their work confronts our unconscious engagement with the world and allows viewers to either be simply present or address harmful beliefs or societal values. They believe the arts are a basic human need as a means of self expression and trauma processing, Natalie is currently building a ceramics program for Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago in addition to their own art practice.

IG: @big_feeling_ceramics

Ty Yamamoto is a Chicago-based filmmaker, photographer and Japanese teacher with a passion for the art of folding paper. Ever since childhood, Ty has loved folding all sorts of intricate paper creations. Over the past year, Ty has taught origami lessons to people of all ages, bringing the traditional Japanese art form to households all over the world. IG: @ty_yamamoto1

The Japanese Arts Foundation is the non-profit arm of the Japanese Culture Center here in Chicago. They are a dedicated institution that is passionate about providing equal access, education, and support to the Japanese arts scene in Chicago's diverse community and beyond. Their goal at the JAF is to celebrate and embrace the rich tapestry of voices that contribute to the exploration and expansion of Japanese arts and culture. They achieve this by organizing one-of-a-kind programs, exhibitions, and festivals, and also providing open educational opportunities that ensure Japanese art and culture are accessible to everyone, irrespective of their background. In doing so, they proudly showcase the wealth of talent, ideas, and creativity that our multicultural community of artists, thinkers, and makers has to offer.

IG: @japaneseartsfoundation