Limited Edition Issue 17 | Page 13

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MINDFULNESS

In keeping with the desire to be in harmony with nature comes the Japanese practice of Zen:  a process of enlightenment through meditation to attain wisdom, mindfulness and simplicity in grasping reality; a compassionate way of living with oneself, others and with nature.

“Miroku” (Maitreya) by Susumu Akiyama (Bronze)

The female figure corresponds to the Maitreya Buddha contemplating a future utopia.

“The Day I Became a Bird” by Kazuya Yamamoto (Granite)

The sculpture was conceived when the artist observed the shape made after squashing clay with his hand.

“A Stone, Soar” by Susumu Koshimizu (Stone, iron and copper)

The sculpture evokes an ancient longing to take flight.  The missing panels on the wings express the unfulfilled yearning.

EXISTENCE

“All things that are in the world are linked together, one way or the other. Not a single thing comes into being without some relationship to every other thing." (From Religion and Nothingness by Keiji Nishitani)

“Human No 16-1” by Kiyoshi Takahashi (Granite)

Inspired by ancient Mexican culture, this sculpture represents the dichotomies of day/night, light/darkness, God/Man, life/death as well as the endless search for the meaning of existence.