Don't let Sakura fallen.
03 2011 —
Letter from Tokyo, March 2011:
"Hello dear Marc and Elisabeth,
I am looking forward the arrival of the print.
I think I need some word or phrase to announce visitors of the gallery why this image is here (what I received from this image).
Don't let Sakura fallen.
In Japanese. Sakura means cherry.
We were really looking forward cherry to bloom soon.
Now even Tokyo is under deep depression and stress. Economy is down.
Many major events and ceremonies have been cancelled even to May or August. It's called "voluntary restraint" ...
Cherry festival this month was cancelled.
In May, we have a big ritual festival in our area, which is centered around a big temple and shrine. It's the biggest festival in Tokyo. Over a million people come in 3 days. It was cancelled.
Also the biggest firework festival in summer is already cancelled.
Many people believe those events should be held. Even more powerfully than usual. We need an energy to stand up again ...
In our area, which is one of the biggest sightseeing place, it is always full packed. Now is almost empty. I see tourists only 5% than usual. No foreign tourists, no group tourists. People are restraining activities.
Our daily life is like a very thin skin on the earth. Like a fragile petal of cherry. The nature can peel it such easily and mercilessly. Now we know.
Or it might have been a mercy of the nature to make human aware.
Still it was cruel.
Still we need to stand up again. I hope the world can learn from this and reconsider our footmarks.
I want every Japanese not let Sakura fallen in our mind.
We should also celebrate spring. Our beautiful spring in Japan.
And should retain what comes as a result when we are not humble to the nature.
Those feelings completely matched when I saw the image you and Elisabeth sent. I'm sorry if my report made you depressed. I mean we would like to get out of it!
Love, Izumi"
Izumi runs the ambitious little Gallery éf in Tokyo. Her work is dedicated to create bonds and interaction between Asian and Western artists. Me as one of those artists feel very desperate to know Izumi, my dearest friend, in such trouble and I want to do whatever is possible to support her work and her life! I am very happy about the spontaneous cooperation with Marc Damm, whose poster gives Izumis actual feelings and worries such a strong visual expression. More support will be needed in the coming weeks, months, years ...
Thanks for your empathy and your support, Elisabeth Kopf.
http://www.gallery-ef.com
