Questioning The Concept of A Uniform

the last day of the exhibition at MIMOCA

Asuna

Emiko

Junko

Kayo

Keiko

Kiyoko

Nozomi

Rie

Sawako

Masako

I received another wonderful package in the post today from the women at Art Tower Mito. After the exhibition ended the women have continued their work together in a sewing club. In the weekend of August 9th and August 10th Art Tower Mito hosted a weekend of workshops for children. The women were invited to host a workshop.

Eri:

"When they do activities in public, the women give the name "Face Labo" to the sewing club."

Yukari included in the envelop the examples the women prepared

to show the children in the workshop.

Eri:

"The kids program will be held this weekend! So the women are preparing the materials now.

Do you remember Asuna’s hand made present for us? It is like a name tag with a braided string from painted fabric which is striped into strips. Yukari asked Asuna if they could use her idea for the program, and she agreed. So the braided bracelet has become one of kids handcraft activities.

They also produce other activities. The participants can choose many things, such as making covered buttons with painted fabric, painting an apron…, of course the kids can make freely whatever they want using the painted fabric."

Bracelet made by Asuna as a gift to each participant

at the end of our workshop in Mito in February

Material and examples for the workshop of Face Labo during

"kodomo korabo rabo 2014", Art Tower Mito, August 2014

Selecting fabrics

Selecting materials for a bracelet

Making a brooch

Painting aprons

Ribbons for Masako and Ai

Asuna send me before and after pictures of Masako and Ai wearing their new ribbons with their excisting uniforms; they look AMAZING ! Masako's new ribbon was made by Kiyoko, Kayo, and Junko and Ai's new ribbon was made by Asuna, Sawako, and Nozomi.

Masako
BEFORE

and AFTER

BEFORE

and AFTER

Asuna: "Keiko wrapped both ribbons with little name plates.

She also made name plates for Tomoko and Youko, and wrote in that letter "Tomoko, your new uniform suits you nicely." "Youko, you decided to not participate in this WS, but you are a member of our WS.""

"What a wonderful Gifts! We are happy now."

Daily Reports from Junko's Perspective

Asuna shared Junko's daily notes with me today:

Daily Reports from Junko’s Perspective About our Gallery



On the opening day, we got a comment from one visitor. She wrote in questionnaire that she empathized with my fear and anxiety and was impressed how I changed my mind, which motivated her to try what she’s been thinking in her mind. She seemed to read memos you’ve putted. She mentioned my name, so Kayo told this to me. At that time, I just thought“wow!” After you said bye and left a gallery, Kayo told this to other WS members. Everyone surprised. Asuna said, ‘’Inspired people is what artists do. You did it! Good for you! Wonderful!’’ This gave me goose pumps because I realized what I did inspired someone. I’ve never thought I could do such things, so I was so happy. Emiko also said “Good! Good!’’ with her eyes glistening with tears. Kiyoko saw this and said “If you moved to tear, why didn’t you do it when Pascale was here!” This is a beautiful moment for me. I was so glad to see everyone was happy and moved by what they did were rewarded.



I heard this story from other staff. People who don’t know anything think that we are forced to wear fashionable clothes made by some artists. When they saw memos and explanations on our gallery space, they noticed everything and they are so moved by the truth.Actually, when I work on second floor, people ask me who made this uniform because they never would have expected guards make their uniforms.



I'm considered as Ms. Aoki and Ms. Yokoo when I’m in their gallery spaces. I talked this to Keiko. Keiko told me that she was considered Nakako. That’s so funny.



With high ratio, people stop and stare at Kiyoko’s Polaroid photographs clipped by clothespins and feel the touch of Sawako’s handmade clay pendants and say beautiful in front of Mariko’s space.



I heard that some people said they like my painting, flying uniform. My relative came to see it and she likes it too. The other day, people who love frog searched me. I was not there on the day, so I didn’t meet them. But it motivated me to put my lovely frog to my uniform again.

And,

Making ribbons for Masako and Ai

Asuna: : "We talked about new ribbons for the other guards (their names are Ai and Masako). And, we decided on a rough design on the basis of their answers to the questionnaire.

Ai answered,"I like green, stripe, and I want to put on pretty design ribbon."
Masako answered,"I like blue, and stripe, and I want to put on natural design ribbon."

Kiyoko made various designs quickly!
Now, we decorate them to be more special!"