The "Susaki City Fair," featuring an art exhibition by Taro Yanagi, a painter from the Susaki City Umi no Machi Project, was held at "KAMADO -Sake Izakaya-" in West Hollywood, Los Angeles, from September 26 to 29, 2024. Yanagi's works are inspired by the nature and culture of Susaki City, depicting scenes where gods, sea creatures, and people coexist in harmony.
Yanagi has created numerous artworks for the Umi no Machi Project, including those for Susaki no Sakana Honpo and Susaki Ennichi Shopping Street. In November of this year, he is scheduled to dedicate a ceiling painting titled "Susaki Engi Ezu" to Furuichi Rakusa, adjacent to Susaki no Sakana Honpo.
At the exhibition, a portion of the ceiling painting was unveiled, and a corner was set up to showcase Yanagi’s detailed paintings as well as the long-standing efforts of the "Artist-in-Residence Susaki 'Gendai Chihoutan'" initiative. Visitors were treated to sake from Kochi, and during dinner hours, dishes featuring Susaki City’s specialties such as amberjack, sea bream, karasumi, and nuta were served, allowing guests to indulge in the rich bounty of the sea through both art and cuisine.
This event was the project’s first attempt to blend art and food. Although many attendees in Los Angeles were unfamiliar with Susaki, with the support of many individuals, we received comments like "I want to visit Susaki" and "Please hold this event again." We were also fortunate to have serendipitous encounters with individuals connected to Susaki who are active locally. We will cherish these connections and continue to pursue further initiatives. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who visited and supported this event.
須崎市海のまちプロジェクトによる絵師・柳太郎氏のアート展示と須崎市を紹介する「Susaki City Fair」が、ロサンゼルス・ウェストハリウッドの「KAMADO -Sake Izakaya-」にて、2024年9月26日から29日まで開催されました。柳氏が手掛けた作品は、須崎市の自然や文化からインスピレーションを得たもので、神々と海の生き物、人々が共存する情景を描いています。
柳氏は、海のまちプロジェクトにおいて、須﨑のサカナ本舗や須﨑縁日商店街をはじめ、多くのアートワークを手掛けており、今年11月には須﨑のサカナ本舗に隣接する古市楽座の天井絵「須﨑縁起絵図」を奉納する予定です。
今回の展示では、天井絵の一部が披露されたほか、柳氏がこれまでに手掛けた細密画や、須崎市で長年取り組まれている「アーティスト・イン・レジデンス須崎『現代地方譚』」の紹介コーナーも設けられました。来場者には高知の地酒が振る舞われ、ディナータイムにはカンパチ、鯛、カラスミ、ぬたなど須崎市の特産品を使った料理が提供され、訪れた人々が目と舌で「須﨑」の豊かな海の恵みを堪能できる場となりました。
プロジェクトにとって、アートと食を融合させる初めての試みでした。須崎を知らない人がほとんどというロサンゼルスでしたが、多くの皆さんのご協力を得ることができ、「須崎へ行ってみたい」「また開催してほしい」との声が寄せられました。また、現地で活躍する須崎市ゆかりの方々との偶然の出会いもありました。今回のご縁を今後も大切にし、継続的な取り組みを進めてまいります。ご来場いただいた皆さま、今回の企画にご協力いただいた皆さま、誠にありがとうございました。
KAMADO presents its first art exhibition in collaboration with Susaki City, Kochi Prefecture, Japan, and painter Taro YANAGI. Experience unique art and fresh seafood straight from Japan in two exciting ways:
Taro YANAGI’s art blends surrealism with traditional Japanese aesthetics. Two years ago, he fell in love with Susaki City in Kochi, a place brimming with nature, fish, and spiritual energy. This port town has since profoundly influenced his work. Inspired by Susaki’s auspicious atmosphere, YANAGI’s paintings often depict his vision of this city, where gods, fish, and humans dance joyfully together.
📅 Exhibition hours:- Sept 27-29, 12 PM to 5 PM- Also viewable during dinner hours (6 PM to 11 PM)
📍 KAMADO -Sake Izakaya-521 N La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood 90048
🍶 Complimentary welcome drink: Sake from Kochi
🎁 First 100 visitors receive a free Daruma wood keychain designed by Taro for Susaki City
*No reservation required
Susaki City, a vibrant port town, boasts over 100 types of fish in its markets. During KAMADO’s business hours, enjoy complimentary tastings of seabream, karasumi, and amberjack from Susaki City. Savor these delicacies while sipping sake and admiring the artwork!
📅 Sept 26-28, 6 PM to 11 PM
📍 KAMADO -Sake Izakaya-521 N La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood 90048
*Reserve your table through Tock
