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Birgitta de Vos

Soul Matters

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LIGHT LETTERS

 

 

The installation ‘Light Letters’ is a work in situ.

An encounter and co-creation, between a space, a 100 year old traditional machiya in Kanazawa, Japan and a material, washi paper.

 

Invited by Nao Yasuta and Nik van der Giesen, founders of Hitonoto Japan, I had the honour of being the first artist,  to work in situ and exhibit in this traditional building.  A building that can adapt itself according to the needs of its visitors. And easily transform and reshape itself. I learned after visiting washi paper artisans that washi is not only more than 1000 years old, but has evolved over time to meet the needs of each era. It is said these papers can last 1000 years.

 

I sat in silence.

Saw the lights changing. Listened to the past speaking to the future in a here and now. The machiya spoke beyond words and expressed itself in washi paper. 

The essay ‘ In praise of shadows’ by the Japanese author Jun’ichirō Tanizaki and my fourth book, “ALL IN NOTHING | NOTHING IN ALL” whispered to me while creating ‘Light Letters’.

 

Special thanks to the washi artisans with their skilful hands and compassionate hearts Nigyo washi,  Yukyu washi and Futamata washi.

@nvdg81 @yasutanao
@hitonoto_japan

 

2023 | Light Letters

The past spoke beyond words , a present for the future. 

 

Works made during my Art in Situ stay at Hitono Japan

© 2025 Birgitta de Vos