Staying true to its mission of raising awareness of Asian arts, the departmental museum of Asian Arts offers workshops in Origami, the art of Japanese paper folding, Chinese calligraphy, Shufa, Japanese calligraphy, Shodo, and the art of ink drawing, Sumi-e.
These are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 PM and are open to both adults and children.
Origami, or the art of Japanese paper folding by Keiko Yokoyama
Wednesday, March 16
The art of Japanese paper folding, a sign of good Japanese education, has been passed down for many generations. Without glue or cutting, origami comprises hundreds of folding models, including the three fundamentals: the crane (the most representative of Japanese aesthetics due to its delicacy), the frog (the most plastic), and the crab (the most elaborate). Alongside traditional models, contemporary creations are continuously added.
Japanese calligraphy, Shodo, by Keiko Yokoyama
Saturday, March 26
Shodo, or the way of calligraphy, is a traditional Japanese art filled with Zen spirituality. It is a reference discipline for masters of all traditional Japanese arts. Considered the most essential of all arts as it best reveals the artist’s spirit-heart, the aim of Japanese calligraphy is less about creating a “beautiful work” and more about communing with one’s own intuition.
Chinese calligraphy, Shufa, by Lin Chi-Yi
Saturday, March 12, and Wednesday, March 23
Among all the arts, calligraphy, Shufa, holds a privileged position in China as the oldest Chinese traditions attribute magical power to writing: it is seen as a way of taking possession of the universe and probing and uncovering its secrets. Although this sacred character has gradually faded, calligraphy remains a spiritual discipline. As a means of expression, calligraphy allows practitioners to undergo an inner experience, with the ultimate goal being self-perfection and achieving a communion with the universe through creation.
-The Art of Ink Drawing, Sumi-e, ink painting by Sonia Stella
Wednesday, March 30
Sumi-e is the art of ink drawing, born in China and codified in Japan by Zen monks from the 14th century onwards. The technique used is the same as in Chinese and Japanese calligraphy. But Sumi-e represents an art form in its own right: it is more about suggesting the subject than painting a realistic portrait. Simple lines, drawn with a single stroke of black ink, seem to capture the very essence of things.
-Asian Arts Museum
Museum of the General Council of the Alpes-Maritimes
405, Promenade des Anglais – Arénas – 06200 Nice
