LOOCHOO ‘Time’ – Art & Design Exhibition from Okinawa

It was a cold, wet and miserable day in London yesterday, and with storms threatening I have to say I wasn’t overly keen to spend my evening in a crypt. Fortunately, the artists and designers who are a part of LOOCHOO ‘Time’ which was opening at The Crypt Gallery in London brought all of the warmth of Okinawa with them, along with music, dancing and live painting.

In the second half of the 18th century British Navy ships ran aground near Okinawa. The kindness and help of the Ryukyuan (people from Okinawa) at that time is well recorded. The British called Ryukyu “Loochoo”, and reported that they were deeply impressed by the Ryukyuan’s culture and hospitality. The culture of the Ryukyu Dynasty still has a significant effect on both Okinawan artists and designers.

In this exhibition the artists and designers, who are all, in some way, related to and influenced by Okinawan culture and traditions, have created works that respond in very personal ways to their conceptual thinking about ‘Time’.

The exhibition LOOCHOO ‘Time’ features work by: Hiromi Tsuha (visual art); Atsushi Izena (ceramics); Hiroshi Tanaka (textile design); Kyota Matudo (visual art/glass); LEQUIOSIAN: Taichi Naka & Eriko Naka fashion); decco: Moritaka Nakamura & Satoko; Moritaka Nakamura (potter unit); pokke104: Yukino Ikeshiro (illustrator); Aya Taira (visual art); Eiten Oshiro (painter); Chihiro Furugen (paper jewellery); and Home: 12 collective artists (moving image).

LOOCHOO ‘Time’ opened last night and runs until Monday 30 April at The Crypt Gallery (London, NW1 2BA). Admission is free. For more information, please visit the LOOCHOO website, Facebook page or Twitter.

This exhibition is supported by: Embassy of Japan; Okinawa Prefecture; Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum; Okinawa Association UK; London Okinawa Sanshinkai; Japan Broadcasting Corporation Okinawa Station; Ryukyu Broadcasting Corporation; Okinawa Television Broadcasting Co.Ltd; Ryukyu Asahi; Broadcasting Co.Ltd; FM Okinawa, Inc; and Ti-da Square Co. Ltd.