– A photo exhibition by Simone Engelen
Simone Engelen is a Dutch photographer and performance artist, currently residing at Villa Kamogawa with the grant of the Dutch Embassy in Tokyo. In her work Simone experiments with ways to quiet the mind. By taking on artistic challenges she plays with life’s malleability; each project an ode to being.
“During my time in Japan I joined a Zen Buddhist mountain monastery and their intense training schedule to learn what it's like to live like a monk. Every day we would start at 04:00 am with sutra's, followed by long meditations throughout the entire day, ending with 'Yaza', the final meditation done outside. Even though I was always so tired, it was my favorite part of the day. Lit by moonlight I would wrap myself in a sleeping bag, sometimes hearing a fellow monk snore in the background or tanukis trashing the graveyard, and I would realize.... wow, how incredibly grateful am I to be alive and being granted these life experiences.
“Yaza” is a great way to add a moment of meditation to any busy day. It helps me to open up, to let in creativity and enjoy this brief moment in time that we are here and alive.”
“YAZA” will be on display from July 7th - July 21st at Ru Gallery, an old Machiya house close to Kyoto station.
Opening: Fri.7.7., 18:00 – 21:00
Want to experience Yaza yourself? Join Simone and a monk from Gifu prefecture for a guided meditation followed by a dinner on Wednesday July 19th at 00:07 pm. DM Ru Gallery to assure your spot.
Closing Party: Fri.21.July, 18:00 – (potluck dinners & drinks)
*At 19:00 there will be a guided meditation by Simone Engelen, followed by a Zen tea session with a tea sommelier from China.
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