I'm moving forward with my import/immigrant project in lithography that I mentioned a couple weeks ago. I finished my first print, where I paired a hand drawn portrait of my great grandmother Saye with an ukiyo-e style "beauty" to emphasize how the United States differentiates between the value or beauty of an object and a person. I don't have a picture yet, but will photograph it soon.
My next project in lithography is the idea of "paradox" which fits the current theme of import/immigrant quite well. This time we are working with photo plates, so I happily used one of my many family photographs. I am using the picture I showed on the first day of my family doing a routine lettuce harvest, and Catherine pointed out to me that the boxes on the truck were itching to have a pattern. The print will be two layers, one with the photograph, and one with a pattern that I have created which also integrates the language of flowers. It is a commentary on how the United States would rather import an object, rather than have a foreign person reside here and personally contribute to the economy. Also I am highlighting the change in behavior from the adamance of items being made in America to the current opinion of more imports in terms of cost-effectiveness. The pattern I created uses Buttercups and Hollyhocks, which represent money and success. Here's the photograph again:
Another project that I hope to pursue soon is one that involves the possessions that I brought home that belonged to my great grandfather Kiyoshi. I have many items including handwritten and illustrated books, newspapers from the concentration camp, personal letters and even the reparation letter from the government. I am looking to integrate these into my works, either by scanning or another means that does not harm them.
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