Little Egret Bridge to Japan
An international art collaboration between elderly residents in Hobart and Keisen, Japan.
It began as a study of Goulds lagoon, in Hobart, and evolved into an exhibition spanning 2 countries and 4 generations.
Visiting the lagoon was a way of exploring the local environment and triggering memories from the past. School students, primary and secondary worked alongside residents of Strathglen Aged care Facility. Other community members,from politicians, to musicians, council members, varied community groups and even international guests also joined in.
Barriers were transcended on a local community level but also globally. On a recent trip to Japan I was able to visit and initiate the beginnings of a sister home relationship with Keisen Aged Care Facility in Akashi. It seemed that just as the little egret (kosagi) migrated to Japan so too we could follow. Even ABC radio was there with us.
This project focused on paper made objects, ranging from sculptural egrets, photography, rice paper bowls, exquisite origami from our Japanese collaborators and a 3m x 3m large paper mosaic of Mt Fuji.