Letter from the Arts Editor

LETTER FROM THE ART EDITOR

Art is powerful. Of course, art has the power to entertain. Whether that be through making it yourself or enjoying a piece of someone else’s art. But I also think it also has the power to forge connections, close the gaps between people and transcend cultural and social boundaries. No one today can ever know what it was like to be an Italian painter in the 14th century, but such a painter’s work can be appreciated equally whether the viewer be an aging Japanese salaryman or a lively American schoolkid. The beauty of a piece of art can speak for itself, generating a bit of empathetic understanding capable of closing the distance between the artist and the viewers.

For many of us, living far from home in a culture that is not our own, art is a comfort. It provides a new avenue in which we can find, or create, community. So, for me, the CONNECT art section is not just about highlighting the talented artists within Japan’s international community. The art section also provides a space in which we can celebrate the ways in which art allows us to create community across cultural boundaries.

My first choice for this special throw-back issue was Tokyo ALT Bryan Phippen’s “Capturing Tokyo’s Music Scene.” I first came across Phippen’s photography through a JET Facebook group. As a music lover, I was immediately interested in featuring Phippen’s work in CONNECT. Honestly, I just thought his photos were cool. But when I read about Phippen’s experiences doing concert photography what impressed me most was how Phippen was able to use his passion for music and photography to find community in Japan. His hobby not only gave him the opportunity to create some cool images but also to meet some cool new people. As a viewer, through Phippen’s images, I find myself too in the front crowd of a punk show in a small club in Tokyo. Although I’m not a member of the Tokyo music scene, for a moment I can feel its energy and passion.

My second choice for this issue is the October special: “Creating through Cosplay.” As the art section editor, this was one of the most memorable pieces that I helped to put together this year. “Creating through Cosplay” highlights the talents of six cosplayers in Japan. Each artist did a short write-up about their cosplay experiences. Not knowing much about cosplay, it was really illuminating to experience this world through the voices of some of its members. Even though each artist came from a different background and had a unique experience, what stuck out to me as a common theme was the sense of community. Through cosplay, each artist was able to forge connections with both Japanese cosplayers and other members of the international community. For many, these connections have led to strong friendships and spaces of acceptance in which they can express themselves authentically.

Far from just being simple entertainment, art is a tool by which we can better understand each other and form stronger relationships. I’ve enjoyed being able to highlight art’s ability to create community this year through CONNECT and I hope the art section continues to showcase such stories long into the future.

Valerie Osborne (Fukuoka)