The 和 [Wa] Photography Auction is a way you can help the victims of the recent Japanes tsunami by participating in an auction of original artwork. I am contributing an 18.5″ x 24″ archival print of “Old Fashioned Diplomacy #13”.
The night will be a celebration with a display of photographic art, music from Koto player Yumi Kurosawa, American folk band Thomas Wesley Stern and Japanese cuisine from Blue Ribbon with liquid refreshment from Sapporo and Ito En. In addition, all ticket holders will be entered into a raffle.
A Photography Auction benefiting Architecture for Humanity
Japan Tsunami Relief
April 21, 2011 6-9pm
25CPW, 25 Central Park West, NYC
Advance tickets $20 – http://tiny.cc/waauction
Wa Project is pleased to announce a photographic exhibition and auction benefiting Architecture for Humanity’s rebuilding efforts following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
The auction will be held at the 25CPW gallery in New York City on April 21st 2011.
100% of the funds raised will be donated to Architecture for Humanity’s work in rebuilding devastated communities in the affected area. Partnering with Nuru Project, 25CPW and Sombra Projects, with contributions from the Magnum Foundation and Friends Without Borders, this auction event has already gathered support from the Japanese and photographic communities in New York and beyond. The night will be a celebration with a display of photographic art, music from Koto player Yumi Kurosawa, American folk band Thomas Wesley Stern and Japanese cuisine from Blue Ribbon with liquid refreshment from Sapporo and Ito En. In addition, all ticket holders will be entered into a raffle.
Architecture for Humanity is a non-profit design services firm founded in 1999 working to build a more sustainable future through the power of professional design. By channelling the resources of the global funding community to meaningful projects that make a difference locally, each year 10,000 people directly benefit from structures designed by Architecture for Humanity. Advocacy, training and outreach programs impact an additional 50,000 people annually. From conception to completion, all aspects of the design and construction process are carefully managed. Clients include community groups, aid organizations, housing developers, government agencies, corporate divisions, and foundations.
The donated auction prints follow the theme of 和 (Wa). This ancient name for Japan also describes a cultural concept which underpins much of Japanese society. It has no direct translation in English, though the closest term that could be applied would be the idea of ‘Harmony’. We are pleased to feature prints from a diverse range of photographers who have interpreted this theme in a variety of ways and provided us with a unique collection.
Participating Artists:
Alex Franck, Alice Dison, Andre Lambertson, Annabelle Dalby, Annie Ling, Atsuko Tanaka, Barbara Saric, Becky Holladay, Bill Westheimer, Brendon Stuart, Chiara Goia, Chiho Bangert, Christina Clusiau, Daniel Kukla, Dina Litovsky, Elliott Erwitt, Emile Hyperion Dubuisson, Gilles Bensimon, Greg Miller, Jake Price, James Whitlow Delano, Janette Beckman, Jason Eskenazi, Jean Gaumy, John Francis Peters, Jonathan Auch, Jonathan Mannion, Julie Platner, Kathryn Obermaier, Kenneth Dickerman, Kenro Izu, Lois Conner, Lori Grinker, Mike Schreiber, Minny Lee, Monica Denevan, Motohiro Takeda, Natan Dvir, Nina Berman, Rafal Milach, Ricky Powell, Sarah Girner, Sarah Small, Satomi Shirai, Shino Yanagawa, Shiori Kawasaki, Shizuka Minami, Stephanie de Rouge, Stephen Ferry, Suzanne Opton, Talia Herman, Timothy Fadek, Tom White, Victor Sira, Wayne Liu, Werner Bischof, Yo Imae, Yojiro Imasaka
和 [Wa] Concept
What and where is “home”?
Is it where we conduct our daily life? The broader region we inhabit? Does it include countries and land masses we dwell upon? The planet as a whole? What about the unknown?
Is there harmony or discord in our relationship to the physical universe? Are we even in control of it’s balance?
There is a term of great importance in Japanese culture known as “和 (WA)”. It dates back to the 8th century and means many things. It is the ancient name of the spirit of the country itself. It also stands for peace and calm and is a symbol of the circle, unity, and harmony.
The recent events of Japan’s major earthquake and the subsequently devastating tsunami remind us that we live in a naturally changing and evolving environment. The resulting uncertain atomic repercussions beg us to examine how we’ve chosen to coexist with our home and decisions we make now and in the future.
Chaos and order are two halves of a whole that have existed since the beginning of all things. They have lived together eternally destroying and creating each other in a play of coexistent harmony that will outlast humanity, our planet, and the universe until the end of all things.
How do we strike a united balance to live and grow within the universe despite unpredictable forces? What are the lasting effects of our decisions? How can we live in harmony, happiness, and understanding with Earth, this planet we call our home?