A man who lives and literally breathes glass is Japan’s
premier glass artist Hiroshi Yamano. The renowned, 44-year-old artist will
be present for a special reception tonight from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the
Friesen Gallery in Ketchum. From his studio in Fukui, Japan, Yamano
recently stepped away from his work to answer a few questions.
Yamano, who trained in both the United States and Japan,
creates sculptures that concern not only the beauty of surfaces, but also
all that is inside. Yamano uses techniques that involve rolling molten
glass on gold, silver and copper leaf. He then scratches and draws on the
material to create an unusual combination of transparency and
translucency. The works are intricate. They blend a traditional and
antique look with more modern forms and themes.
Yamano often creates pieces that incorporate fish, images
of mountains and water. As Yamano has stated in previous interviews, these
images are, for him, symbolic. Fish he identifies with himself, mountains
represent America and water corresponds to his homeland of Japan.
In his artist statement, Yamano states: "My works
come from all of my experience. Since I was 17 years old, I started travel
all over Japan, Europe and United States. I like to keep moving and have
different experiences. The memories I have from my experiences [are] my
most important treasure. To keep getting my treasures, I have to keep
swimming the world like a fish swimming the waters. I am a fish which is
always looking for something. I am a fish which can not stop swimming
until my body stops to move. Maybe I will swim forever, like the universe
does."
Yamano offered a little more insight into his artistic
sensibilities in an interview conducted via email:
Mountain Express: What are the qualities of glass
and glass work that first appealed to you and continues to hold your
interest?
Yamano: I feel that hot molten glass has its own
personality like a human. Blowing glass one needs a dialogue with hot
glass. When I blow glass, I feel like dancing with lady.
Mountain Express: For many artists, the creation
process is a very relaxing, contemplative and almost dream-like time.
Given that glass work must be so physically demanding, are you able to
experience this?
Yamano: My work [involves] not only the
glass-blowing process. I draw the image on the glass surface, then cut and
polish and look for the shape of what I like. So, I am able to experience
dream-like time.
Mountain Express: Do you have a vision of a piece
before you begin and then realize it, or do you create and change the
piece as you work?
Yamano: I always have a vision then realize it,
however, in some cases I change the piece as I work.
Mountain Express: Having worked and lived in both
the U.S. and Japan, do you find the experience of a working artist to be
different in the two countries?
Yamano: Living as a glass artist is difficult [in]
both countries. I think glass artists in Japan focus on shape of beauty.
In the U.S., the most important [aspect] … is originality of work.
Mountain Express: Are young artists in Japan
encouraged to pursue their vision of themselves?
Yamano: Yes, they are.
Mountain Express: Japan certainly has a much
longer tradition of art than does the U.S. Are there expectations put on
you in Japan (in terms of subject, style, media or other things) that do
not exist here?
Yamano: I lived out of Japan for six years, then I
[found] myself living [in] the tradition of Japan. From then, I was able
to use the sense of Japanese tradition of art to create my own glass
pieces.
Mountain Express: I read somewhere that you are
interested in primitive African art. Why, and does it play a role in your
work?
Yamano: I am very interested in the simplicity and
purity of African-art. They hit my feeling of heart. I would like to
[attain] simplicity and purity as a glass artist.
The reception tonight will be at the Friesen Gallery on
First Avenue (across from the Ketchum Post Office.)
