Bodhi Opening Party, Thursday, April 26 (214 Brick Lane, London)

[amadoriv]

For anyone who's into contemporary art, calligraphy, manga, or Japanese culture in general:

-April 26, 6-10 PM

-free Food

-free Asahi beer

-free London sufu meetup =P

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from Bodhi flier:

BODHI is proud to present the first London solo exhibition of the work of Japanese calligrapher KOTARO HATCH (www.kotarohatch.com), a young artist who mixes traditional Japanese calligraphy techniques and live painting performance, using the walls as his canvas to draw an impromptu piece of art, packing a powerful visual and imaginative punch.

The live painting performance will run for one evening – followed by a two week exhibition of the work created. The evening will begin with the artist working live and will involve the public; teaching them some of his methods and allowing them to make their own mark on the space. Hatch’s words are not only to be appreciated visually, but perceived by our other senses.

The event is being held to celebrate the opening of Bodhi, the UK’s first manga library. Canvasses and limited edition prints of the work created will also be on sale.

WHAT IS BODHI?

Situated on the north end of Brick Lane, Bodhi is one of the first venues of its kind in the UK combining an art gallery, SUSHI bar and extensive Manga library – currently housing over 10,000 volumes of Japanese MANGA both in English and Japanese.

Bodhi is contributing to a burgeoning cultural phenomenon that has already gripped Japan by introducing Manga to a new audience whilst catering for the enthusiast.

KOTARO HATCH

Born 1977 in the city of Sapporo, Hatch grew up in the capital city of the northern island of Japan. At the age of six Hatch had a fateful encounter with the world of Japanese CALLIGRAPHY. He was drawn to the simple lines that conveyed powerful messages. At nineteen he moved to Kyoto, the capital of traditional Japanese art, where he studied Art History at Kyoto University of Art & Design, receiving his Master of Arts in 2004.

Although he studied the traditional style and method of calligraphy, the artist has been experimenting with calligraphy in its many forms and has developed a distinctive personal style. Hatch focuses on the lines and points of a KANJI character and re-emphasizes them in an artistic expression; he has cultivated a calligraphic art form that transcends the boundaries of time and language.

Most recently he has begun to explore Europe and United States, studying the traditions in western methods of calligraphy, and is attempting to combine the qualities of the east and the west.

FUTURE BODHI GALLERY EVENTS

“ALIVE IN THE EAST†is a series of exciting, new events focusing on uncovering the hidden world of the artist. The artists will be working live and spontaneously onto canvasses placed on the gallery walls whilst being filmed, the subsequent images will be screened to enable the public to experience the original event and feel of the work being presented.

If you are interested in exhibiting at Bodhi, please drop by and show us your portfolio, alternatively you can e-mail images of your work along with your pregerred exhibition dates. We are really intent on offering a fresh approach to exposing art so it would be great to include any ideas you might have.

If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us in the gallery.

Bodhi Gallery 11:00 AM- 11:00 PM

214 Brick Lane, London, E1 6SA

TEL 0207 749 0750

Thanks to: Asahi, Korei, Bayspo, and Ourhistoryprints.