Haiku

No.23 by Rieko Fujinami

The 23rd artistr room on the theme of “Haiku” was started on pruduction on May 14, 2016 by Rieko Fujinami, an artist who lives in the United States, continued the work for about 2 month while staying at the hotel, and completed it on July 11, 2016.

Haiku, a short poetry form using words that whisper, capturing the moment and crystallize eternity within a short passage, have traveled far beyond its origins in Japan. “I hope that in this space the haikus that guests have in their hearts will spring to mind as naturally as breathing, regardless of language or cultural differences”, says Fujinami. She created a world of haiku where, rather than thoughts or emotions, expressing an instantaneous observation of the subtleties of nature, using seventeen syllables in Japanese, divided into three lines of five, seven, and five.

As the first for an Artist Room, it is decorated with moving images and sound effects. Projected on the wall are carps swimming in a pond, and against a beautiful, magical and ambient sound, the colors of the image change, creating a flowing effect. The bed is surrounded by drawings of lotus, and when you lie on your back and look up, you will see a jet-black Milky Way on the ceiling. Beside the window is the silver moon and a line from Basho’s haiku, “tsuki zo shirube / konata e irase / tabi no yado”. Explore a poet’s feeling and delight creating a line or two of haikus, in the middle of nature at the Artist Room Haiku, located on the 31st floor of a high-rise building.

Enjoy the world of Haiku observing the transient movements of light and shadow in the Artist Room Haiku.

Staff recommendation comment
Haiku is a short form of poetry in Japan. Artist Room Haiku created by artist Ms Rieko Fujinami with the hope that haikus that guests have in their heart will spring to mind, regardless of language or cultural differences.
In this room, beautiful lotus flowers are drawn around the bed, and when you lie on your back, you will see a structure resembling the Milky Way which will help you experience a unique feeling, as if you are in a miniature universe. There is a projector only in this room, projecting the beautiful video of the carps swimming in the pond along with the magical and ambient sound. The video changes from time to time, changing the atmosphere of the whole room.
I personally like how resins are used for the structure of the Milky Way. With her overall creation she not only made it easier to experience a miniature universe but also, she helped to understand the environmental change depending on the situation.
Artist Room Haiku is an ideal room for those who want to spend quiet time alone.

Room #3102 | Completion Date: 2016.07

Artist's Message

Haiku is short poem of seventeen syllables in Japanese, divided into three lines of five, seven, and five syllables, with a rule that they should contain a word, called a kigo, symbolizing the season. Rather than expressing the poet’s own thoughts or emotions, haiku expresses an instantaneous observation of the subtleties of nature, using one or more of the senses. Capturing the moment, they crystallize eternity within a short passage. The spontaneity and simplicity of this short poetry form, using words that whisper, not shout, have enabled it travel far beyond its origins in Japan. Haiku is especially beloved in English-speaking countries, and many English language haikus are written today.

In this room, I have created the shadows of fish dancing in a lotus pond, and a jet-black Milky Way, together with the moon, and a haiku by Basho, tsuki zo shirube / konata e irase / tabi no yado, which roughly translates into English as the moon a sign / this way sir, to enter / a traveler’s inn.

I hope that in this space the haikus that guests have in their hearts will spring to mind as naturally as breathing, regardless of language or cultural differences.

Rieko Fujinami