In October, the KulturKids dived into the fascinating world of Ukiyo-e at the ANAHITA SADIGHI Gallery – a Japanese art form that emerged between the 17th and 19th centuries and captured life, nature, and the beauty of the moment in unique woodblock prints. The exhibition Floating Worlds at the ANAHITA SADIGHI Gallery presented works that continue to inspire today and even influenced artists such as van Gogh, Monet, and Matisse.
Together, we discovered how the masters Hiroshige, Hokusai, Utamaro, and Sharaku transformed everyday life into poetic images: roaring ocean waves, quiet river landscapes, nocturnal city views, or the elegance of Kabuki actors. The depictions of snow, rain, mist, and water surfaces were particularly fitting for the autumn month of October and invited us to spend plenty of time outdoors as well.
We asked ourselves: How can we capture fleeting moments in images and feelings? That’s why we brought along materials and colors to create our own artworks using watercolors. Rounded out with breathing exercises, a meditation session, or a Japanese children’s story, the KulturKids experienced three wonderful afternoons filled with new impressions.
Mind, Body & Soul
Mind: We explored the techniques and ideas of Ukiyo-e in our sketchbooks and on large-format paper to capture our own motifs.
Body: We felt the movement within the images – and outdoors in nature we tried to translate elements such as wind, rain, or water into movement.
Soul: We took time for silence and meditation, letting the feeling of the “floating world” affect us. Fantasy journeys and children’s stories from Japan calmed us and encouraged us to find peace within ourselves.
We went on a journey into Japan’s floating world – with art, movement, conversations, and plenty of inspiration!
More on our Ukiyo-e and Japan program in film and photo on Instagram
