Embassy of Japan in the UK

Art at the Embassy

ashide - a second nature
an exhibition inspired by Japanese-style gardens in the UK

20 March - 21 April 2006
Monday - Friday 9.30 am - 5.30 pm

Embassy of Japan, 101-104 Piccadilly, London W1J 7JT
020 7465 6580
info@jpembassy.org.uk

Co-organised by the Japanese Garden Society
Photographs: Carol Ballenger; Haiku: John Powls

The Embassy's latest exhibition was opened with a reception held on 20 March.

This collaborative work represents an English response to the styles and traditions of Japan. The exhibition also includes a specially constructed garden by the Japanese Garden Society.

Ashide is a playful style of Japanese writing developed during the Heian period (794 - 1185 CE) where calligraphic interpretations of a poem are woven into an ink illustration of the natural world. In a like manner, in the process of making work for the Ashide project, Carol and John respond to the gardens as well as to each other through their photographs and poems.

Carol and John have collaborated on a number of projects including Dartmoor Dreams and Stone Universe (Halgrove, 2001) which celebrated the landscape of Dartmoor. John Powls is a published poet with five books of his work in print. He is a regular performer of his work at major literary festivals and exhibitions in the UK and America. Carol Ballenger's photographs have been shown in numerous exhibitions and are in collections in the UK and abroad. She is a member of the Devon Guild of Craftsmen and a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society.

Counsellor Mizutori giving her speech

Speech made by Counsellor Mizutori:

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Japanese Embassy.

Today we have in front of us a wonderful exhibition, which is the result of a collaboration of many people. I think you were surprised, and indeed I was surprised, when I came in and found out that all these pictures are of Japanese gardens not in Japan but in this country. The images in the photos make you feel that they must be gardens in Japan, though in fact they all exist here in this country. And I think that demonstrates the love that both countries, the UK and Japan, have for gardens, and indeed the sheer dedication to gardening of a number of people here.

Today's exhibition was made possible because of the collaboration of photographer Carol Ballenger and poet John Powls. They were inspired by Japanese gardens, and hence these beautiful pictures taken by Carol Ballenger and the poetry accompanying each picture by Mr Powls. In addition, we have another special feature for you, which is this stone garden that we see in front of us today. It was designed by Ms Maureen Busby of the Japanese Garden Society, which won a gold medal in 2004 at the Chelsea Flower Show, and the Society has kindly constructed it here. As I observed the process of laying it out, I wasn't really sure what we would have in the end, but now I think everyone can agree that we have a wonderful garden here, which is not, unfortunately, going to be permanent. At the end of the exhibition I might ask Ms Busby if we can have it on loan. We'll see...

Finally, I just wanted to mention one thing before I pass the microphone to the three main co-collaborators in this project. Currently it is said that countries must have a brand or a message to promote themselves with. It seems that people in Japan as well as those who support Japan in this country may all have different messages, images and brands of Japan, but I think one thing that we may all be able to agree on is that we are a nation which has always co-existed with nature. That is a feeling, which is shared by many people from all walks of life in our country, and I feel it may be the same for this country as well. And that sense, I think, is the backdrop to this exhibition.

Thank you very much.

Garden Pool, Japanese Garden and Bonsai Nursery, St. Mawgan, Cornwall
borrowed scenes border
frames reflections; memories;
wild nature recalled

Cha-Seki (Tea House), Japanese Garden and Bonsai Nursery, St. Mawgan, Cornwall

true passion Summer
storm spent; in that time, beauty
of our warm green world

Stone Lantern, Japanese Garden and Bonsai Nursery, St. Mawgan, Cornwall

garden time measured
in seasons and the passage
of sun, moon, water

Imperial Tea House, Compton Acres, Pool, Dorset

quench the desert sip
the stone blood metal tang rings
true root and branch

From the Imperial Tea House, Compton Acres, Pool, Dorset

red spirit stories
distillation; nature high
on a slow measure

Tea House, Tatton Park, Cheshire

a second nature
simplicity, order, beauty
brought together here

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