3 Original Elements
in the art of Yoko Imai
3 Original Elements
in the art of Yoko Imai
1. Original Materials
She mixes pearl and diamond dust (graciously provided by the Carnegie Institution for
Science, Washington D.C. ) with the Chinese ink,which gives her creations a unique sparkle.
> Website of the Carnegie Institution for Science
http://www.gl.ciw.edu/news/art-and-sparkle-carnegie-diamond
No painting product is used : all the colors are powders of gemstones - Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Agate, Tourmaline, Coral, Quartz, etc.
2. Original Concept
Beginning with a sketch, she develops the form, color, and intensity of the lines,
inspired by the music of J.S. Bach.
3. Original Technique
By her innovative method, she decomposes and recomposes the ideogram, which is
the basis of the traditional calligraphy which she has practices for the past 30 years.
“ Fugue No,7 ” inspired by die Kunst der Fuge No,7 of J.S. BACH
50 cm x 50 cm
Yomiuri journal European edition, 2 June 2011
" International artist "
ACT4, February & March 2011
" Exotic Japan "
Alcom, September 2011
" Active expert in the world "
Okinawa Times, October 2012
" Calligraphy by the brush of Adan represented in Paris"
Before It’s News, 2 July 2010
" Calligraphy of Yoko IMAI in pearl and diamond "
L'Americain , Winter 2010
" Invited artist Yoko IMAI "
Sankei Express, 22 November 2010
" Yoko IMAI : Transmission of the beauty of the art in Paris "
Letter of Jetro Lyon, March 2008
" Thanks to the artist Yoko IMAI "
Seven Hills Premium, April 2012
" Collaboration of the art and the gastronomy "
YAMAHA Musin, September 2013
" The musical stroke "
Club Concierge, Autumn 2013
" Active artist in the world "
Suisse Made Travel, November 2013
" Micro&Art "
Frequency Radio Jura 96.0 FM
Emission 20h59 le 04 November 2013
" MicroArt and watch brands "
Journal of Jura, 31 October 2013
" Art object integrated to the watches "
Cover of Nikkei Journal, 4 May 2014
" Innovate and traditional - art of Yoko IMAI
Cover, and special pages of magazine
Class & Relax, Summer & Autumn 2014
" Yoko IMAI - Bach, at her fingertips "
Cover, and special pages of magazine Arts&Crafts&Design, December 2016
" Métiers d’Art Villes Lumières Vacheron Constantin
in partnership with Yoko IMAI "
Press
« La vallée »
22,0 cm × 22,0 cm
“ Sur incises ” inspired by Sur incises of Pierre Boulez 50 cm x 50 cm
“ Suite No,1 ” inspired by Suite No,1 of J.S. BACH
50 cm x 50 cm
“ Fugue No,8 ” inspired by die Kunst der Fuge No,8 of J.S. BACH
36 cm x 36 cm
“ Fugues No,13 ” inspired by die Kunst der Fuge No,13 of J.S. BACH
( Diptych ) 22 cm x 22 cm x 2 pieces
“ Fugue No,10 ” inspired by die Kunst der Fuge No,10 of J.S. BACH 36 cm x 36 cm
“ Canon No,4 ” inspired by die Kunst der Fuge No,4 of J.S. BACH 50 cm x 50 cm
“ Fugues No,12 ” inspired by die Kunst der Fuge No,12 of J.S. BACH
( Diptych ) 22 cm x 22 cm x 2 pieces
“ Ouverture festive ” inspired by Festive Overture of D.Schostakovich 100 cm x 100 cm
" Variation No,20 " inspired by Goldberg Variation No,20 of J.S.Bach 50 cm x 50 cm
" Variation No,13 " inspired by Goldberg Variation No,13 of J.S.Bach 50 cm x 50 cm
" Variation No,10 " inspired by Goldberg Variation No,10 of J.S.Bach 50 cm x 50 cm
" Variation No,11 " inspired by Goldberg Variation No,11 of J.S.Bach 50 cm x 50 cm
" Variation No,25 " inspired by Goldberg Variation No,25 of J.S.Bach 50 cm x 50 cm
" Variation No,14 " inspired by Goldberg Variation No,14 of J.S.Bach 50 cm x 50 cm
Biography
Unique technique in the world - Contemporary art prize 2013
of the Montblanc Cultural Foundation *
Yoko Imai won the contemporary art prize 2013 of the Montblanc Cultural Foundation. Her artwork is acquired by the Montblanc Cutting Edge Art Collection, a museum belonging to the Foundation, for their permanent exhibition.
Based in Paris, she began by teaching herself calligraphy and painting starting at age 5. She developed her technical skills of calligraphy and her knowledge of Japanese art history under several great masters, and obtained the diploma of Professor of Calligraphy. After her study at university, she continued also the curriculum for Zen philosophy, and obtained the certificate of Japanese tea ceremony delivered by the school Omote-senke. By her personal research and experimentation, she mastered the characteristics of the precious stone powder, and invented her artistic technique which is unique in the world. Her original and innovative style of creation has been presented in various media in the U.S., in Europe, and in Japan, and her artworks have been acquired by many collectors.
She is also a partner artist for the top luxury watch brand Vacheron Constantin Geneva, and applies her technique to their new collection of Métiers d’Art "Villes Lumières ».
*In the past, several of the artists who become renowned, like Tom Sachs ( the famous N.Y.-based plastic artist ) and
Gary Hume (the English painter who is a remarkable representative of the YBA's -- Young British Artists) have received this prize.
Acquisitions :
Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris(Paris, France) ; Official Residence of the Ambassador of Japan to
Unesco ( Paris, France) ; Jetro Lyon/Japan External Trade Organization(Lyon France) ; Atelier Guy Martin(Paris,
France) ; Tokio Marine Europe Insurance Limited (Paris, France) ; Strand Cosmétiques Europe (Lentilly, France) ;
Sister companies of Miyoshi Europe (UK, Italy, Germany, Spain, and France) ; Jones Day (Paris, France) ; Class &
Relax Lifestyle Magazine ( Forbach France) ; Publisher (Pairs, France) ; Economist (Paris, France) ; Journalist (Paris,
France) ; Wine producer (Bourgogne, France) ; Ichimura(New York, Etats-Unis); Expressions (Connecticut, Etats-
Unis) ; Private hospital (Kyoto, Japan) ; Architect office (Tokyo, Japan), etc.
Creation of the name series in calligraphy :
Dominique Bouchet Restaurant (Paris, France),
Wine producer (Bordeaux, France) etc.
Creation of labels :
Champagne label / Champagne Delamotte « point d'exclamation »
for agency Point d'Exclamation (Paris, France).
CD label / Pianist Junko OKAZAKI for le concert at the Salle Gaveau
(Paris,France)
Creation of book tittle :
« Pa-yu-ri-no » poète (Tokyo, Japon)
Creation of logo :
Owa Beer,ltd.(Bruxelles, Belgique), Fondation Sawayaka Saikatsu
(Kuki, Japon), Céramiste (Connecticut, Etats-Unis),
Restaurant Kiwakokoro (Osaka, Japon) etc.
Other creations in callography :
commemorative ceremony for the seism of Japan at the American
Hospital (Neuilly sur Seine, France) etc.
photo © Ryusuke Hayashi
News & Exhibitions
Partnership with Vacheron Constantin
Unique technique in the world applied to the new collection
Métiers d’Art Villes Lumières
Photos Ⓒ 2016 Vacheron Constantin
Ⓒ 2016 Vacheron Constantin
Ⓒ 2016 Vacheron Constantin
Official site of Vacheron Constantin
Other communications
http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=tree&goto=7367003&rid=12189#msg_7367003
Acquisition & Permanent Exhibition
Contemporary art gallery
Montblanc International GmbH
Future Exhibition
Carnegie Institution of Washington
Geophysical Laboratory
“Montblanc Star”
inspired by Morgen Stern of J.S. Bach
58 × 58 cm
photo © Ryusuke Hayashi
Past Exhibitions
UNESCO, Salle des Pas Perdus ( Paris, France ),
Ministere de la Culture et de la Communication / Vitrine de la Galerie de Valois ( Paris, France),
« LE JAPON Influences et Art de vivre - sous le patronage de M. Frédéric Mitterrand, Ministre de la Culture
et de la Communication / Carte blanche à Pierre Cardin » Marchés Paul Bert Serpette (Paris, France),
Mairie du Ⅵ ème arrondissement (Paris, France),
Galerie Boccara avenue Matignon (Paris, France),
Atelier Guy Martin ( Paris, France ),
Miyou de Guy Martin au Bon Marché (Paris, France),
Galerie AMTARES (Paris, France),
Galerie Dazelle (Paris, France ),
Nadine Galery (Paris, France),
Restaurant & Wabi-Salon Dominique Bouchet ( Paris, France),
Maison de la Culture du Japon à Paris, Salon de la Présidente ( Paris, France),
Château des Bouillants (Dammarie-lès-Lys, France ),
Muséum/ancien Musée Guimet (Lyon, France),
Crédit Agricole (Lyon, France),
Consulat du Japon à Lyon (Lyon, France),
Miyoshi Europe S.A.S ( Lyon, France ),
Château de Pleujouse ( Porrentruy, Suisse )
Expressions (Connecticut, Etats-Unis),
Diaoyutai La Maison d' Hôte d'Etat (Pékin, Chine),
Ginkaku-ji, Temple d'Argent, (Kyoto, Japon),
Tokyo International Forum “La Folle Journée au Japon” ( Tokyo, Japon ),
Small Luxury Hotel of the World Hotel La Suite Kobe( Kobé, Japon),
Mikuni Marunouchi ( Tokyo, Japon),
Mikuni Nagoya (Nagoya, Japon)
The New York Times, 30 March 2017
" Gems Plus 500 Hours Equal a Unique Watch "
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/30/fashion/craftsmanship-watches-vacheron-constantin.html?_r=0
Magazine Montres, February March 2017
" Previously unseen technique by Yoko IMAI "